Agency life
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- gramme0
I am blessed to have a great balance of work & personal time here. My boss doesn't really care about us taking time off, as long as everythign is getting done and done well.
There have been some crazy, Chinese-fire-drill weeks since I've been here, but this summer has been refreshingly slow. It comes & goes with the seasons. It's part of the territory I reckon, but if your employer has no regard for your personal time and no recognition for the long hours, then bail. Otherwise you'll burn out for good and rue the day you chose design as a career.
- Rand0
then I started my own studio so I could work short hours for a meager wage...
neue75_rand
(Aug 15 06, 08:29)
- CyBrain0
The odd thing is, I just got a promotion and raise last week, but it has now affect on my emotionally. It gives me absolutely no motive or incentive to stay. The tough part is going to be finding time to look around for work.
- Gucci0
I worked 148 hours in one week 4 weeks ago.
is that even possible i mean there are only 168 hours in a week (24hoursX7days)
seriously!
Sven_sk
(Aug 15 06, 08:33)Trust me... it's possible.
Though, my body is telling me it shouldn't be.
- paraselene0
I didn't think a contract was needed, I thought your presence was implied, even mandatory...
neue75_bold
(Aug 15 06, 08:59)*sigh of relief
thank fuck for that. i'm rubbish at forgeries. but i'm a quick study, sir!
- orangemorning0
Every place i interviewed expected long hours. It's total bs. I understand once in a while, but everyday the place I work expects 10 hours or so at least. i leave though at 5 i have dogs that need to go out, and i'm starting a freelance photo/design business that needs tending too. We get OT, but I need a home life. I do love design, and i work my arse off while i'm at the agency. But i would rather work that arse off to put my future kids in college rather than a higherup's kids.
- neue75_bold0
then start my own studio so I can once again work long hours for a meager wage...
neue75_bold
(Aug 15 06, 08:29)you may change your mind about that when i remind you of a certain contract signed in blood that i forced you to sign whilst you were under the influence.
you'll have to hire me, sucka!
*cackle
paraselene
(Aug 15 06, 08:38)I didn't think a contract was needed, I thought your presence was implied, even mandatory...
- parseInteger0
It's true about small and mid size agencies though. My incredible deal is with an international digital media company under Grey Global Advertising. I've always found that huge just works better for me. I push the creativity into our ads and I've got myself to be creative that's the most important thing!
- barbtastic0
agency=alcoholics
happens for a reason.
- paraselene0
then start my own studio so I can once again work long hours for a meager wage...
neue75_bold
(Aug 15 06, 08:29)you may change your mind about that when i remind you of a certain contract signed in blood that i forced you to sign whilst you were under the influence.
you'll have to hire me, sucka!
*cackle
- Sven_sk0
I worked 148 hours in one week 4 weeks ago.
is that even possible i mean there are only 168 hours in a week (24hoursX7days)
seriously!
- neue75_bold0
I'm about done with the 'small creative studio' scene. Long hours, extremely meager wages, my portfolio and knowledge has stopped growing...
I'm going to persue this lead that will gain me twice as much per year and I'll have no illusions about what I'll be doing.. stick with it for a year to dig myself out of this financial pit I'm in, then start my own studio so I can once again work long hours for a meager wage...
- parseInteger0
After years of bouncing around agencies, I am finally at one, here in NYC where we leave at 6 the majority of nights!! A wide diversity of projects, plus the benefits food, salary, beer Thursdays, on an on are through the roof. I'm so so happy I was lucky and am able to avoid Mr. Competitors sweat factory where leaving between 8-9 every night is considered normal, hard working and positive fuck that shit. Civilisation is out there. If they lie to you about the culture of the hours show them the "next" attitude they would surely show you.
- Sven_sk0
i work for international design firm whose hours are 8.30a-5p. i show up around 9a every morning, leave at 5 every day. its a 35 hour work week. a lot of times i work through lunch but thats bc i love what i am working on. now and then, i'll take stuff home in the evenings or over the weekend to work on but when the ACDs and CDs find out they are usually mad at me. the place i work for knows that work isn't everything and there is more to life than design.
they also think that if people have a life outside of work, they will be happier employees and more productive/creative while they are at work.i love the place i am at, love their client list, excellent pay, great benefits, incredible hours, no egos, plenty of room for advancement, wide variety of projects(identity, print, packaging, illustration) great talent and the best part is its a big firm 400-ish people.
its literally how i thought my dream job would be way back when i was in school. got out of school and worked a couple of placed that sucked. stumbled onto this place and it will take A LOT for me to leave. best place ever.
- CyBrain0
Gucci, I love the "world" map on your home page.
Thanks to everyone on the thread. It was very helpful.
- Gucci0
CyBrain... i feel you, man.
I worked 148 hours in one week 4 weeks ago.
My system is completely fucked up because of it. I find I can't sleep as well as I used to before that hellish week. It's crazy. Middle of the year and already my body has quit on me. Being burnt out is a terrible thing. I'm planning a wedding with my fiancee too, and the strain of work is a bit much. Not to mention my boss insists we give our cell phone numbers to clients, so I can have them calling me to insist they need something in their inbox 1 hour before they get their fat asses out of bed in the morning.Like the other folks said. There are options... options I'm planning on exploring sooner than later myself. Hope you do the same.
Best of luck mate, I'll drown my sorrows in a virtual beer with you. But not for long.
Happy days are ahead.
- visualplane_0
70 hours a week is just way too much. Start looking around, and ask what their hours are like during your interview. I recently moved away from advertising earlier this year, and now my hours are 9-5 which is great. I have time for more personal things like having a life during weekdays! I usually got home around 8pm before, but now i'm usually home by 5:30 which makes such a big difference.
With 12 years of experience in NYC, i'm sure you'll find something fast so just make sure you find something that will make you happy.
- e_b_c0
However, take it from me, I find what I am doing right now v ery stressful. Each day, I feel my creative skills being drained from me and worry about my career.
Good luck in finding your happy place all.
pyeaton
(Aug 15 06, 05:05)word.
- tkmeister0
you workholic people... but instead of making other people richer, you may wanna focus on your own happiness. unless you are getting 1.5x overtime pay.
- pyeaton0
No kidding arohner! What is it with AE's and PM's that think designers press the F7 key and have an entire layout designed?