Where you at?
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- maquito3
Cabo Polonio, Uruguay.
- notype5
almost debt free, (fuck you sallie mae)
pup on the horizon.
home by 2020?
married by 2021.thank you upstairs neighbors for your noise and selfishness, putting fire under my belt to not be complacent, without them I'd probably want to live here forever.
- yes! nice work. get debt free and you'll actually have money to yourself.capn_ron
- thanks capn_ron, i'm putting a nail in this coffin for sure. maybe home by 2024, add a little buffernotype
- i feel this list. I'm on the same boat.shellie
- dont come to the UK! never get debt free over here! Still saving up for a deposit for a mortgage ...mugwart
- you're killing it this year shellie. we both are. glad share an oar or two with you.notype
- Your dreams are so plebeian.robthelad
- Good :)notype
- bjladams3
just listed our house for sale; looking at tickets back to nz. 80% excited, 30% nervous.
- Wow man big move. Interesting, my sister and brother in law are about to pull the trigger on moving from SoCal to TN! They’ve had it with the rat race.HijoDMaite
- I can recommend a housebjladams
- all the bestimbecile
- They are looking at CookvilleHijoDMaite
- how's it going?notype
- notype2
- 39. Thinking on a fixer upper.notype
- (not one of these) just one in general. i was in this nabe' today.notype
- Which city? SF? All this aerial wires...OBBTKN
- This type of "cluster" is kind of rare in the part of the borough that I was in, ...this is Brooklyn, NY :)notype
- “cluster” = attached 2 family homesnotype
- sothere8
I just got a new job. I start on Monday!
Looking forward to starting and getting the career moving again.
thanks to those of you who offered advice and said kind words.have a good friday!
- martinadolfsson4
Really enjoy this thread!
Grew up in a working class/lower middle class family, I was never “exposed" to Art or Design as a kid but was always encouraged to do what I wanted to do - which as an adult I realize was the best thing that could ever happen.
I stared my career as a photo assistant in Oslo and a few years later moved to Stockholm to start on my own, career wise things were going great but I got very bored and felt my life was on a very predictable path (perhaps a first world problem?) so I moved to NYC in -07.
I would probably have made tons of more money if I had stayed in Sweden and kept working with the steady flow of clients but I’ve never regret moving here. Looking back at it, in addition to meeting my wife, the greatest part about moving was probably that it allowed me to fully become whom I am and create my own path in life.
The ebb and flow of commercial work has forced me to push myself and do more personal projects. I came to realize that I’m very interested in group behavior and global economic issues, this interest resulted in a book project where I traveled around to emerging economies and pretended to be a home buyer (it was the only way to get access to the model homes I was photographing) - I never bought a home but I did publish a book about the experience in 2013.
The book eventually got me into a Museum led incubator focusing on Art, Technology and Design, there I met another member and together we created the anti-social media app minutiae, which was released earlier this year. This experience has really thought me that I don’t need to know all the technical specs but can instead focus on the overall picture and bring in people with different expertise instead.
For the next couple of years I hope I remain healthy and can continue juggling commercial and personal work, especially at the intersection of photography and technology.
- robotron3k0
I'm about to turn 52.
I have a BA in Psychology and I'm auto-didactic in the field of graphic design.
I started my career by "designing" with paper, a typewriter, scissors, a glue sick and a copy machine at Kinko's in my early teens. Later they invented the Mac and I got into desktop publishing. I moved from print design to web design. I've moved from graphic designer to creative director, from Austin, to San Francisco and currently in New York. Now I work in UX.
I've done a shit ton of other things but they are way too long to mention, as there have been many chapters in my life so far. I'm also one of a last of the New Today peeps here.
People tell me I look 40.
- I forgot to add, we also used lots of whiteout back in the day.robotron3k
- Yeah, graphic design was hard(er) work back inna day :)jagara
- How old were you when you first became Creative Director?zarkonite
- I think I was 37 and because ACD, I liked that position, so I didn't bother to take a CD position about 5 years later...robotron3k
- I also did a music magazine, record label, did an underground club in Austin, bought houses, shot a film and videos, all that kinds delayed my career promotionsrobotron3k
- I am a fellow Newstoday era member since 2002, 54 and in NY. We have to get the NYC Drinks going again.CyBrainX
- You're actually 52? All of this time I thought I was arguing with a child.garbage
- there’s a lot of NT guys here, just evolved usernamesGuyFawkes
- Loved thisnotype
- Gotta Q for ya, fax menotype
- Could you email me robotron?notype
- freedom3
For people who don't like their jobs, maybe there is something you can do.
If you've been there for a while, tell your bosses to start buying you lunch or buy a foosball table (cliche) or get a good speaker system or paint the walls.
I've worked in places that bought us lunch every Friday or gave us short Fridays in the summer or had karaoke nights. Small things bring you closer to your coworkers and brighten up your day.
Don't eat at your desk.
- aslip6
About to turn 38 this month and living happily in the Midwest. Married for 11 years and have a boy, girl and a dog. Went to art school in the late 90's and have spent the last 15 years proving those who doubted me wrong. Started out of college with an interior design/build group, making restaurant, bar, retail and residential custom interiors and fixtures. Had a blast for a couple years, then went back into graphic design (my degree) and worked my way into branding and advertising. I joined a startup agency in '08 and have since grown the business and worked my way into a director role. Started a real estate investment business in '14 and am now launching another real estate business this month with some partners looking to build up a healthy portfolio within the next 3-5 years. This will allow me a retirement plan where the 9-5 does not. I still enjoy design and the creative process, just not challenging to me as much as it used to be. It's amazing how your interests and motivation can change, just based on life circumstances, pushing your comfort zone and setting/attaining new goals.
I'm bummed to see so many in this thread feeling burned out or depressed. I know when I start feeling that way, it's time to pick up a new interest or challenge myself to do more.
All the best to everyone here :D
- colin_s8
This is a fantastic thread, thanks for the bump. Strange to look at where I was, where everyone has gone to.
I'm 34 now. The corporate gig I left in SF helped sustain me for a few years in Portland with freelance and some references. A bad break up and some friends taking different directions in life lead me to re-evaluate things (adult for "have a nervous breakdown") a few years back.
So I left my nice apartment and moved in to an anarchist art collective, I was drunk in and out of various dive bars for a couple years there. I painted and wrote and made books and spent too much time watching (and emulating to some extent) "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia." Learned about life and myself from the perspective of a gutter, I suppose.
Now I am poorer than poor but my art is getting to where I want it to be. I can't find design work for the life of me, as I haven't had a normal job in 5 years. I run art shows out of the studio space I am a part of that are getting pretty hip in PDX. I've had a solo show in Portland each month this summer. I'm in a pretty great group sound project / band type thing recording an album next week in a garage. For lack of a better term, life is punk as fuck.
That being said I'm still a 34 year old who is one medical accident away from fucked-for-good status. I'm trying to figure out how to survive in America, especially now, especially the way things are going, and I don't know. Still single, no kids, no money, no responsibility - It's going to be an interesting and terrifying next five years. I'll see you then.
- May the force be with you! You might be one gig away from something incredible as well.mugwart
- great post - sounds like your soul is nurtured which is all it comes down to in the end.fadein11
- I should also clarify "anarchist" is not black bloc leftists, but rather a communal mindset of equal responsibility and little to no oversightcolin_s
- But thank y'allcolin_s
- That was very interesting. I'm sure we'd love to see any work you'd like to share.CyBrainX
- he's shared loads in the past - lovely stuff.fadein11
- Your life just sounds very european.Longcopylover
- Yes, welcome to EU ;)OBBTKN
- sureshot0
- The Haguesureshot
- war crimes?Fax_Benson
- that horse has no balls.
and why is it faced towards the building?
that's unusual for a equestrian statuested
- Maaku3
34, Dallas, TX
I've been stalling to write this, but here it goes.
It's been a bumpy ride for about a year now, since last summer.
Got divorced, had a car crash, lost my dogs, lost my job, and have creative burnout from working in advertising for the past couple of years.Having 10 years of experience is almost a curse when looking for a job. Either too much experience (meaning they don't want to pay you as much) or you don't have enough experience (after 10 years, seriously?).
So, after 5 months looking for a job I gave up and decided to give a friend a hand with his startup. We're hoping to raise money this summer but the whole process is slower than we thought and it all seems like I'll have to go back to job hunting, again. It sucks, I really want to make this happen but I also need to pay my bills.
On the bright side, I started a ceramics class to get away from the computer. I love everything about it and could seriously do that for a living, and never complain. But that's out of reach at the moment.
Like some of you, I'm also numb. Trying to stay positive, we'll see how things unfold later this year.
- High five on going in on doing the startup. Something you're passionate about? Be patient. 5mo. isn't that long and startups always take longer than anticipatedaslip
- ^ You got it. Thanks.Maaku
- good call on the ceramics class. seems like a great way to get away from the computer and get your hands dirtycapn_ron
- My brother is on the DSVC board in Dallas. Not connected well there myself, but might be worth networking at DSVC event if you haven't already.aslip
- ^ Thank you, I'll check it out. Although I prefer not to work for agencies.Maaku
- ArchitectofFate4
32, Stockholm, Sweden
Wish I had a cool story but I really don't. 2 kids, a wifey, a house in the suburbs. Got a steady paycheck at a dead end job.
I should be happy but feel like shit, I see my kids growing up but it's like I'm not even there. I'm just numb, someone even asked if I was suffering from high-function depression... I don't know if I need a creative hiatus or just more friends within the field, all I know is that something needs to change. My everyday thoughts echo in this thread.
Other than that I've a childrens toy under production getting ready to soft launch before christmas, and a niche t-shirt/poster thing coming to fruition. So I've got that thing going for me which is nice.
Also, fuck you Linked In, you smirking cesspool of lying hypocrites.
- If it's not depression now it sounds like it could be soon. Definitely worth getting some professional insight before it goes any furtherlowimpakt
- I had a breakdown at 30. I've been on meds since. It has changed my life for the better. They give you space to start a happier journey. see a doc. good luck.sothere
- Maybe it has just to do with daylight. You have a long winter up there. Germany is horrible already!SimonFFM
- Maybe, but I do get to retouch my fair share of half naked models though Simon ;DArchitectofFate
- bklyndroobeki8
You guys inspire me.
- Poochie4
Dublin. About to turn 40. Just me and my dog.
Been doin' this internet thing for far too long.
- sothere2
43 In Sydney. After having respect, awards and recognition working as a designer in NZ I followed my GF to Melbourne. We have a boy now and that part is really good.
In Melbourne I worked for 2 years at a start-up full-service agency owned by Dentsu Aegis, I lead creative pitches and was just starting to get some traction when I was made redundant when we lost a major client. I'm pretty sure the CD made it so I wasn't relocated to other companies within the group like all my colleagues. A political move, which I understand. I was more experienced and capable making her job unsafe. She's doing well and getting respect and awards. Good on her. No grudge from me.
At the time GF was 6 months pregnant, followed by a difficult birth, recovery lasting months and requiring a further hospital stay. I didn't really work in that time as we both don't have a family to help us. So we got pretty poor. Now I'm finding it tough to get hired as a senior with no local experience. 41 interviews and counting, tough. But I got enough freelance to keep us fed though it wasn't easy without local experience. But after a year we've just moved to Sydney for my GF's career, unfortunately, that turned out to be a con job, so now we've both starting again.
When we arrived I got an interview at a top independent agency. They said they loved my work. Which after all that's happenedI kind of needed to hear. They didn't have a job at the time but I just want to let them know I was around. So today I see they just advertised for creatives, but as usual only for junior and midweight teams.
So help me out here. I'm not sure what to do. Should I say I'll do a midweight job at this agency and risk looking desperate, or stick it out, freelance and wait to get lucky enough for someone to hire me at the level I'm at?
Love some advice.
- Don't compromise by taking a job below your seniority. First of all, the money sucks. Secondly, you'll feel shit. Three, you'll signal people can walk ...Continuity
- ... all over you. Four, employers will know you'll fuck off the moment something better comes along, and won't hire you for precisely that reason.Continuity
- Best of luck manNutter
- Yes. That was my gut feeling too. thanks for the advice. and thanks nutter hope your future interviews work out.sothere
- What about an agent? I'm hearing more people going this. My BG is film vfx but there's got to be someone whom take you on and put you in the correct connectionsmugwart
- If oz hasn't any jobs why not move back home or somewhere up and coming. Your story has touched me. Hope you'll be fine.mugwart
- Your work is great manfate
- I've got to really hustle. I've been stalled by having the baby partner to look after. Now I have the time to work hard and visit people. Thanks fate nice of u.sothere
- agree with Continuity... you're the shit. Keep looking, you'll find something amazing.bklyndroobeki
- lowimpakt3
just turned 39.
still doing design but mainly with policy and public sector clients. I hear the words "strategic" and "policy" more than I used to.
recently bought a house with my partner who I have been with for almost half my life. I love her more now than ever.
My friends constantly impress me with the creativity and general soundness.
I keep thinking I have bowel cancer so I should probably get that checked out.
- If you think you might have cancer, you should most definitely get that checked out! Please do. All the best :)jagara
- Do that.I thought I was as well, self cured by changing diet and cutting out certain foods. Id definatley look to that. All the best.mugwart
- "love her more now than ever" incredible.bklyndroobeki
- PonyBoy-7
I was recently told that I'm white and privliged and probably an asshole... so let's just go w/that...
... glad we had this moment, guize.
- Miguex5
I'm about to turn 37, I have absolutely no grasp or control on where am I or WHEN am I.
I'm an atom of a spec of dust particle floating in the cosmos, I'm completely insignificant and so is all the time I placed into that logo I just finished.
- AMENsince1979
- You do pretty awesome stuff, even more considering that whole black hole issuedyspl
- The thing about the universe is that sure it's huge but it's more than anyone, so you have to relate to the universe on your own terms.CyBrainX
- Forget infinity and maximize your own surroundings. If you can manage that in some way, you're a deity in your own mind. Fuck anything else.CyBrainX
- scale is a man made constructinteliboy
- Don't listen to Jesuit space propaganda. You're not meaningless.robthelad
- You are utterly unimportant compared to the universe. You are immensely important to your family and friends. Relativity, baby.jagara
- The sun is completely unimportant to the galaxy.jagara
- And so on.jagara
- This is why you don't take shit from egomaniacs.freedom
- It's ok man, listen to Tyson: https://youtu.be/Da8…jtb26
