Ottawa Design
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- cphunk0
Canada was in the world top 3 for the future of interactive design recently. Along with the UK, and Brazil :). So our infrastructures are probably comparable. Lots of dope stuff comes out of the UK, and out of Canada.
- cphunk0
That being said - Ottawa definitely has less design options than other major cities in Canada.
Toronto is one of the best - one of the best in the world imo for us. Montreal, even Calgary has more than Ottawa. But Ottawa's awesome in the summer, and the National Gallery is totally amazing.
I've lived in Montreal, Toronto, Edmonton, Calgary, and Vancouver for work - Toronto just takes it for me. Just my opinion.
- Jim_t0
Thats good...What about opportunities are there too many designers and not enough jobs?
- madirish0
Calgary has one of the highest shortges of labor across all industries and professions globally. might want to consider that.
- ********0
if i ever move to Canada i will take no less than:
Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan
with that name they must have a super-structure.
- Jim_t0
I've heard that. Looks kinda nice there but it has to be in Ontario. Don't know if Totonto is just too much of a concrete jungle, I like plenty of oudoor space...
- walkman0
okay - yeah - thought so.
wasn't sure if you meant design and "web products" (lack of better term), or actual infrastructure like: cables, T1 lines, computers and hosting companies - shit like that!
i always thought we were leaders in the communications biz.... across the board.
- walkman0
I've heard that. Looks kinda nice there but it has to be in Ontario. Don't know if Totonto is just too much of a concrete jungle, I like plenty of oudoor space...
Jim_t
(Mar 20 07, 08:10)toronto is a pretty green city. you can't beat it. the arts here are second to none...
- cphunk0
agreed.
Toronto.... ya I mean - it's a big city for Canadian standards - about 6 million or so GTA I think? But... there are plenty of parks and walking paths - along the water etc. If you're looking for cultural diversity and really amazing food - plus good transportation & shopping - lots here.
If you're skilled at what you do and have work to back it up - tons of jobs in Toronto / Montreal. Calgary also has some - not as much. Ottawa..... definitely harder to find work simply because of the limited number of agencies/studios.
Another thing to consider - if you have connections in the UK, and will be able to make some in Canada - you can make alot of money freelancing in North America. Plus if you compliment that with UK work - the pound is basically 2.5 times the value of the Canadian dollar. Lots of demand for high quality freelancers here right now, and has been for.... about 4 years straight now. Just a suggestion.
- Jim_t0
Yeah the pound is quite strong. I gues where I'm saying about Toronto is that although its an amazing city, in my experience its just a traffic jam trying to leave it. Most people I know have to commute for ages to get to work.
Also whats up with your vacation time, we easily get 4-6 weeks over here, I hear you get 1-2 if you're lucky?
- walkman0
I've lived in Toronto since birth but traveled all over Canada (and some over seas), and right now Toronto has the best mix of everything you could want in a city. There are some issues that need to be worked on (like transit) but overall it's a good place to live. It's the media and arts capital of the country - so there are a lot of creative people here doing really interesting things. Music - Theatre - everything.
And sports too. It's only a short drive out of the city - where you can find any outdoor activity you could want.
- walkman0
If you can freelance then Ottawa would be a nice base. It's close (sorta) to T.O. and Montreal...
I live downtown and I can bike (in warmer weather) almost anywhere in town - usually faster than any other mode of transit...
- el_lustor0
Dont' get me started on vacation times. It's awful, just plain awful.
The parkland in Toronto isn't brilliant. In fact when I moved here I was quite surprised at the lack of it compaired to other major cities.
- walkman0
working as designer, it would be totally possible for you to live close enough to wherever you're working, so that you won't have to worry much about traffic...
geez - i sound like a toronto salesman. i'll stop now. it's funny though, 'cuz just the other day i was cursing this place - saying that I needed to get out.
- ross0
I love living in toronto.
on a completely unrelated note, im going to Dildo, Newfoundland in May.
- madirish0
LOL!
i know a guy in Dildo, Newfoundland. so classic
- ross0
haha, I didnt think people lived out there...
- madirish0
oh yeah. for sure. he is one of the most brilliant developers i have ever seen/heard of/worked with.
i have seen pictures, long, slender, just rough enough but comforting at the same time....
;)
- walkman0
ross - when's the band playing in T next?