45+ Graphic designer
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- SoulFly0
We are the first digital generation of designers.
We don't see a lot of designers 45+ because a lot of them did not make the transition, possibly did not want to make the transition to digital... They became art directors, creative directors, instead. Also, don't forget that there were a lot less "graphic designers" back in the 80's, so that is more reasonable explanation you don't see as many 45 year olds designers around.- We are the first digital generation of designers I agree, but I still think you have it wrong.********
- We are the first digital generation of designers I agree, but I still think you have it wrong.
- ********0
i wonder whats going to be "our" transitional point in advancement of technology that will limit or enhance our current offering
- Nano technology...
Adobe speech regognition... something like that...SoulFly
- Nano technology...
- kelpie0
I couldn't possibly be fucked with this job for that long. Not sure what's next but I really don't get the deep satisfaction from it on a fundamental level to really want to spend my proper adult life doing it.
- kelpie0
I'm going to start a punk rock band instead
- the way to retirerafalski
- Kelpie... trendy whore since... 1998Fariska
- j/k :-)Fariska
- I've been around since the beginning! ok I was BORN in the beginningkelpie
- Have you ever seen any 45+ punk rockers? Not pretty.rocknonstop
- Except Iggy Pop.rocknonstop
- chip kidd?********
- orangecrunch0
I love all the people that were illustrators and painters that use to call me a sell out in art school that at 28 are trying to become designers now, because society doesnt dub it cool to be mooching off your parents anymore even though you have your "creative freedom."
Welcome to thunderdome bitches!
(looking forward to the pics to follow, thanks in advance)- I think they all want to be Creative Directors.********
- True.Faction18
- I had a painter for a creative director..I was like fuck you, you paint realism oil paintings, F off********
- I think they all want to be Creative Directors.
- ********0
OrangeCrunch, I'm an illustrator and painter. I'm pulling big Gee-gee.
8 O )>
- What's more, I used to be a designer.********
- whoa thats backwards!********
- Yup. I got bored fucking silly by design, and when digital started to take over, I dropped out.********
- Hey thats great, you ever see the inside of the Appetite for Destruction album? The monster looks like you did it...I mean that as a compliment. Cool stuff was just on your site.
orangecrunch
- What's more, I used to be a designer.
- monkeyshine0
There are still plenty of 40+ designers...some do their own thing, some work on the corporate side or in-house. Maybe you don't see them because they've moved beyond the lower paying small shops.
- Elfangio0
I am 39 and keep going on, for me everyday its like a new start. I am starting programming now and i love it, motion design is also something that I want to explore. I am going to be a father very soon and I thing my daughter will inspire me to do a lot of diferent and nice stuff...
- TDIDDY0
I notice that as soon as you can get out of the industry, you do. I have seen this with older pals that just want to administrate instead of produce. At ad agencies the more you move up the ladder - the less producing and layout work necessary...
- pascii0
i am 33 and i love every day i can create something!
- SoulFly0
Notice how a lot of our bosses, managers, will always say did you send the "mechanicals" they still refer to art files the way they did before computers.
When we are 50 we will tell our designers "hey can you send me that screen shot, can you send me that comp" and they will probably have no idea what we are talking about because they have a totally new design talk by then...
- ********0
Elfangio, aren't you put off from starting out on learning that new stuff by the knowledge that there are already 400bazillion 16 year olds out there who know it inside and out like second nature and are willing to do any work available for stupid small money?
- MLP0
i've seen two types of old dudes - dudes that ducked out into education early and are so latched on the past that they can't teach the new people or have a discussion on what's coming up (my professors) and other guys who embraced the technology/trends and were able to stay in the game. with the latter, i know guys that have shifted to creative direction, some more the "art" side of their design and some that ducked off into production. fred woodward (GQ / rolling stone) never touches a computer, but is one of the leading DD's in magazines, ed fella focuses more on his side projects as an "exit level" designer as he calls himself, and in working at a few mags and at a printer it seemed like a lot of the older color/retouching/production dudes used to do design, but who knows how good they were to begin with.
- MLP0
oh, and you also have dudes like david carson who have done nothing new or great since their last great thing (raygun) 15 years ago, but still do (and ditch out on) speaking engagements and talk about themselves a lot.
- ********0
why does everybody always bring up celebrity designers in these conversations? very few of us will ever be celebrity designers. We just get by doing our little jobs, making a living if we're lucky, as long as we can. Also, I don't see why jumping to management is considered a natural transition for a designer.
- because don't you eventually get tired of the layout work?TDIDDY
- how about an accountant, or a real estate salesman?********
- i brought them up as familiar examples. i could talk about this or that dude i worked for in indiana and everyone would not be able to relate
MLP - have no idea what my point wasMLP
- I wasn't trying to single you out.. I just notice that whenever tis subject comes up people********
- Iggyboo0
My opinion is that:
Few people can make this a career that is lucrative. I'd argue I already know people over 40 that are making it as a designers but their running their own show. As far being just a graphic designer the rest of your life. Who is just anything their whole lives? most people fill lives with a multitude of careers and things they want to do. I guess what I am getting at is the ones that love it stay close to the business no matter what and the ones that get burnt out of it which is the majority move on. If your asking for advice I'd suggest: Don't get into design because its a career path, unless your living in new york city and are damn good.
- Why can't their just be an edit button I am revising this post..Iggyboo
- kezza_20
I know plenty of 40+ designers in advertising. Fucking loads come to think of it.
In digital they are yet to come through, some will switch to other roles but there will be a raft of people who will still be digital designers in 15 years.
Hey who the fuck knows what digital will be in 15 years anyway
- Iggyboo0
My opinion is that:
Few people can make this a career path that is lucrative. I'd argue I already know people over 40 that are making it as a designers but their running their own show ( ie freelancing or owning their own studio ). As far being just a graphic designer the rest of your life: Who is just one position their whole lives? most people fill lives with a multitude of careers and things they want to do. I guess what I am getting at is... the ones that love design stay close to the business no matter ( ie teach ) and the ones that get burnt out of the design field which is the majority move on to careers in management or traffic management or opportunities outside of our career altogether. If your asking for advice I'd suggest: Don't get into design because its a career path, unless your living in new york city and are damn good.