Job. Future. Decision.
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- 25 Responses
- benfal99
I'm into graphic design since around 1998. I'm working for the same employer since 15 years, 16 next january. The thing is, my job is now at risk and the chances I get laid off in a short or mid term is very high.
I'm thinking a lot about what I do lately, graphic design. Print is still alive, but we all know the internet and mobile will take all the floor very soon.
I think it's time to make a decision for the future. I think if I stick to what I already know, I may become totally outdated technically in the future.
I don't know what you guys think of this, but was thinking that I really should learn Javascript. I already know HTML and CSS. I think I should jump into JS seriously and add jQuery and/or PHP and/or Ruby to that afterward.
I think this is the key to brighter future profesionnaly.
What are your toughts guise?
- cannonball19780
Move on. 15 years is loyal stagnation.
- I like stability. I dont mind working 35 years at the same place. I like it here.benfal99
- brandelec0
Dev skills are definitely a bonus for graphic designers. I see more front end developers getting hired. Any thoughts of getting into UX?
- ukit20
Wow 15 years at the same job? I think the most I ever spent was 3 years.
JavaScript, PHP and Ruby are all good to learn but it depends what kind of work you want to do. You don't need to learn serious development skills if what you want to do is design.
- mekk0
Assuming you'll get fired next year, would you get a compensation? If yes, I would wait until it happens. I have seen some people jumping the ship and a month later they would have gotten $50k+
JS isn't that hard and with your knowledge of HTML and CSS you have a pretty good basis to learn frustration-free :) I switched 1.5 years ago from agency-hopping to a mid-tier employer and I couldn't be happier about it. I still go on photoshootings, do high-end imaging and I can learn new things, such as Magento, just got an expensive private training. I'd think about it, it is not always about brands and glamour when you're a designer and with that time in the business you probably gone through all this.
TL;DR: Stay in graphic design, go for an employer who honors experience and upgrades your education.
- organicgrid0
15 years...No wonder that you are quoting tigers.
- monkeyshine0
What do you want to do? I'm a product designer, do a lot of research, personas, user flows, creating interaction models, etc. It's not just about creating wireframes (this is becoming more and more true).
At least in the software/app world, I'm seeing a trend towards visual interface designers (visual designers with front end code expertise) which makes more sense to me. If you are a good visual designer who can code and understand how visual/information hierarchy influences user experience, you'll be VERY hirable. I'd hire you right now! :)
- Maaku0
Try these guys www.bloc.io
- robotron3k0
wait, you must have 150k in your 401k. sounds like you need a vacation to clear your brain.
- remember when you started there were no mobile phones...robotron3k
- smart phones that isrobotron3k
- If I could I would totally take 6 months off to explore the World.benfal99
- true about the smart phonebenfal99
- you cant use money in your 401k til you retire. lmaoCygnusZero4
- Bill Clinton was still President when you started your jobukit2
- The Euro didn't exist yetukit2
- People were just starting to use Napsterukit2
- There's no such thing as a 401K here.i_monk
- 6 years and I have $90Kmonospaced
- hehebenfal99
- I worked with someone who did nothing but write about Y2K.CyBrainX
- How'd that work out for them?ETM
- benfal990
I think i will push my UI design skillz and try to learn JS. That should be a good move future-wise. App design is there to stay and will just get bigger in the next 15 years i'm pretty sure. And web-app design too is getting bigger. User interfaces are everywhere.
- instrmntl0
My thought is do what you love. Don't do web if you aren't into it. Be resourceful and find companies where you can be an asset, and move there.
- pressplay0
So you are a traditionally trained designer with roots in print (I interpreted your original post that way)? If you combine that skills with the ability to code you’re in a VERY good position.
Often you have the extremes: a good designer who is helpless at the technical/programming side of things or the code wizard who has absolutely no taste and produces horrible things and doesn’t think beyond the pixel if you let them have his/her way.
- cbass990
Had the same thoughts a little while ago...graphic designer with some web experience but latched onto a company that does more animation and film work, along with some app development and print stuff...I'm hoping I can absorb like a sponge..I keep asking to be part of projects or learn on my own to show I'm interested.
Surround yourself with people who know more than you. If you're the smartest man in the room, you're in the wrong room.
- bklyndroobeki0
world is your oyster brother. just think it and do it.
- SigDesign0
Being able to code used to be a nice plus for visual designers involved in any sort of web work. However, nowadays many agencies seem to be more interested in hiring specialists.
If you want to focus on coding, just go all out and become a Front-End Dev. If not, then focus on UX and Visual Design for the digital product world.
- ********0
Do you want a different type of job?
If you've been doing the same thing for 15 years and love it, why not just try to find a similar job?
Or take classes and find what suits you.
Learning coding is basically a new career.
- Projectile0
if you're designing layouts and interfaces, being able to code a little will massively improve your ability to design and come up with creative ideas.
If you think you're gonna get sacked, GET SACKED!! big time moolah dude!!
- GeorgesII0
Benfall
“Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.”
- MLK