San Francisco
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- arseni0
It's all about networking... I've been freelancing for 6 years here, never worked for a company, only for myself. The competition is big, but you will find work if you're good. Not really sure about job market, but i think it's pretty slow, actually. As far as ads go, it's probably 5 times slower than in NY.
- arseni0
It's all about networking... I've been freelancing for 6 years here, never worked for a company, only for myself. The competition is big, but you will find work if you're good. Not really sure about job market, but i think it's pretty slow, actually. As far as ads go, it's probably 5 times slower than in NY.
- gramme0
there are actually a lot of print shops in SF, more than anywhere else I know of except maybe NYC...but they rarely hire, and if they do it's usually through the buddy system as some mentioned above. It's the most competitive market I've ever seen. I used to want to live there, not so much anymore.
- draydog0
Yeah, I live in Oakland (the Town) too and BART into the SF for work. Oakland housing is way more affordable by Bay Area standards, got a two bedroom apt in a duplex with a big yard for less than you can get a studio for in SF.
- subversve0
San Francisco is expensive if you live an expensive lifestyle. my girlfriend and i may go out and spend $60 on salads and wine at a restaurant, but we can just as easily find a $6 burrito that will feed us for the day.
appartments can be expensive if you you don't like to drive or take public transportation, but that's also a lifestyle choice.
work is really busy for ui designers (both interaction and visual designers). it's actually funny because everyone's constantly refering clients to eachother because everyone's too busy... not sure about print though. i don't do too much print work, but new companies come up all the time who need identities and such. i don't personally use it, but i know a few people who've done well by craigslist.
hope this helps.
- sander0
san francisco has the largest number of graphic designers and DJs per capita of any city in the world.
- arthur0
come to think of it, I don't know that I've ever seen SF mentioned on here. No San Francisco representatives on NT then?
blastofv
(Feb 2 07, 06:49)It's been talked about at length, but it's been awhile.
I lived there for 28 years, but was finally happy to leave 6 years ago. I was back there a couple weeks ago visiting friends.
The only thing I envy about the place is the climate because I like to garden, otherwise, I am always happy to get out of there. I'm bitter - I miss the SF of the 80's and early 90's.
- blastofv0
thanks saint - yeah I'll drop you an email after work. i appreciate it
- saint_x0
there is still a lot of traditional print, especially in the brand sphere here. i haven't been in landor for a couple years, but have some fingers in riney and some other med. size shops. shoot an e-mail if you want some more info when you get closer. i can give you some names to contact. nice work you've got. (i lived in boston before moving here. love / loved both places.)
- blastofv0
cool, thanks for the knowledge guys.
anybody doing traditional print work in SF? anybody else spent any time at Landor or one of the other big branding consultancies?
- material-10
I would just about kill for a design book store or decent gallery show right about now.
- gramme0
Interviewed there before taking a job here smack in the middle of the country. Cool town, prolly not the best place to live if you plan on having kids as it's sort of the Amsterdam of the US west coast...
- Typographica0
Hilariously, this season is the driest winter ever. So you picket the wrong year to move!
- Typographica0
Don't have job advice, but as for living:
I live in Oakland, work in downtown SF. Rent is far cheaper and takes only 20 mins to get there on BART. If you don't need to live in the heat of it, I'd recommend looking for a place in the East Bay. Best neighborhoods are Berkeley, No. Oakland, Piedmont, Lake Merritt.
- material-10
20 minutes in any direction and you're usually in the sun. Marin, east bay, etc. but yeah summer in the city just isn't. Of course I prefer mild temps to hot so it was good for me.
- version30
2 Job offers there in the past year, I don't think you can pay me to deal with that weather again. I was there in 04-05 and it rained every 3rd day it seemed. rent was 1800 at golden gate and baker
- material-10
most of my work came from people I knew, either from college or personal friends then referrals so yeah, networking was good. There are plenty of placement agencies as well and craigslist(for bottom feeding).
I did well because I could pitch design work and then do the dev as well. Print work is a little harder since it doesn't pay as much and you can't add on dev time etc.
great town though, one of the best, and there plenty of other Bostonians for some reason
- robotron3k0
most of the office close at 5pm and raves are still big there because most everyone is a DJ.
- Mimio0
McCann Worldgroup is hiring interactive talent in SF. They're starting to bring it that work back in-house.
- material-10
surprisingly few SF NTers, we did get about 5 people for a drinks night once then the second time it was just me and nick.
two salaries should do you fine. Oakland, where I grow up, is a good alternative to the city itself. Lots of great restaurants and better weather, rents, dog parks. And just 10 minutes away.