Extreme sports pigeonhole
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- 31 Responses
- dyspl0
@fooler, honestly these 4 years spent inhouse for a kitesurf brand have influenced me a lot. I feel much more comfortable working on sport projects and anyway regarding my portfolio, companies how sometime hire me are only asking for extreme sport things.
- fooler20
you should be able to adapt to any style of design. I've worked for old lady soap, high fashion lingerie, athletic, extreme sports and outdoor companies.
- MSTRPLN0
if you don't like your action sport work, send it my way!
http://www.mstrpln.com
- chuparosa0
Getting pigeonholed is a real problem. In a perfect world, hiring managers would be a lot more open minded.......
- Knuckleberry0
way better, way better than signage
- horton0
mb use your industry contacts and try freelancing for a few different companies. mix it up. at very least a new logo and brand name to work with. broaden the folio, get the word out that your freelance and some more corporate projects may come your way.
i'm sure you already know malakye.com
- oops > new logo/name meaning new client logo/name to design withhorton
- fiver0
the grass is always greener for sure. i just can't picture myself doing this for an extended amount of time and making a comfortable living that i require in my waning age. more sophistication please.
- horton0
whoops i replied the missed all the activity here, haven't read all the replies, but i'm behind you fiver.
unless you're working for a very well established "action sport" company and making a very comfortable wage (unlikely) it can be a very tuff grind.
but i suppose the grass is always greener.
- dyspl0
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you find a brand ready to give you a job.
- dyspl0
I didn't see you were a US citizen. How lucky you are, seriously.
I've missed 3 jobs cause I didn't got the H1B visa....
There's loads of brand located in san diego, I'm sure that if you set a nice portfolio, there are chances you find a bra
- Meeklo0
^
not at all.. is a personal preference, you worked all your life in that industry and you want a change, I can relate to that.
- fiver0
thanks for the inspiring words everyone. maybe i should pull my head out of my ass and realize it ain't that bad. back to the grind. cheers.
- dyspl0
fiver, I've been working for a kitesurf brand fo 4 years, it was my first job.
after the 200th advert, I quit.
things I've learned since :
1.Geting an other job in this specific field is pretty hard.
2. One you've worked in such environnment, working in agencies is very boring unless you find a position in a VERY creative studio.
Cause even if you think you don't do what you want and the way you would like, I can tell you that these small logos you do yourself for a small event, or the little labels for a very cheap part of the products's company are 100times more creative and funny than most regular agencies work.
- Meeklo0
Maybe should suck your dayjob and start looking for freelance gigs, this way you have the opportunity to work on (my guess will be) more corporate/ toned down/ sober/ kind or projects?
(I feel like you are my opposite, like on that seinfeld episode, haha)
I was working at an agency for years, and I decided to pursue the kind of work you do instead.I think the key is, re-work your portfolio and think of these fancy sober/ classic style agencies in mind, use classic type like ms eaves or clarendon, strong grid, nothing too out there, and most importantly select your more classic looking work if you want to appeal to them, maybe that helps.
good luck mang
- fiver0
my point being i don't know how much longer i want to be in this industry. some of it leaves a bad taste in my mouth, but it could be my specific company. burton would be fucking great.
maybe i'm just bitching and should keep my mouth shut. carry on.
- dropdown0
...and have you tried getting into a large company like Burton and working your way to top ranks? I'm sure there are tonnes of great perks, and prolly a great environment to work in.
- dropdown0
Action Sports by serious design studio:
http://www.area17.com/work/alli-…
http://www.area17.com/work/salom…
- fiver0
^
i might as well be the AD/CD here as we are tiny. and you're right, maybe it doesn't have to do with the industry, but i do feel like there is an us vs. them mentality a bit with studio heads.
- Meeklo0
^
yes, that actually makes better sense, you are a stuck on a company that doesn't offer growing possibilities, your options are:1) Talk to them about you wanting to work on more creative projects (if you are in a AD or CD position the creative part should be up to you)
2) Find another job, but keep in mind, this has nothing to do with the industry, what you are experiencing can also happen at an agency.