Getting older and working in design
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- pinkfloyd-1
In the future, unless it happened already, anyone can make a website without coding.
- they have been saying that for at least 15 years... same applies to games but will never happen. code is the language and the young will learn in easier that myfadein11
- generationfadein11
- In the future, you'll be able to do everything automagically. Just have a second or third plan in place and you'll be fine.Jaline
- scarabin3
35 here and burned right the fuck out of advertising. i don't care about hollywood or movies anymore. got laid off and can't really be arsed to get back into it so have been trying out a lot of other things hoping something will stick.
it makes me happy to see others older than me starting a new path as sometimes i think it's too late for me to switch things up or whatever.
- +1phatwrx
- This guys used to do advertising in LA, got sick of it, opened a farm->table restaurant, and it's amazing: http://www.bellstree…Knuckleberry
- sorry, "guys" should be
"guy"Knuckleberry - that's greatscarabin
- It's never too late to start a new project or learn new skills!zarkonite
- fuk man. good luck. shit like this has forced me learn other complimentary/supple... skills, aka, photography. again good luk man.jaylarson
- _niko0
We should all start a QBN version of that douchey company that son used to be part of.
- OBBTKN3
42 here, CD at a small company, but still doing illus and design work aside from powerpoint typical CD work ;)
Have got plenty side projects out the agency, freelancing and collaborating with local art scene, trying not to think how old i am...
Lots of ups and downs on my career, but allways worked in creative jobs. Now barely feel the anxiety of thinking on being laid
Anyway, i am basque and got nice cooking skills... i can allways work as a cook!
- fadein111
My view is yes it's a young persons game (due to energy levels and interest in trends etc.).
All creatives find a comfortable groove eventually and that often isn't suited to the current times.
My focus is on building my product-based business alongside my design business. It is very satisfying seeing your own brand you have nurtured and developed all yourself grow and become a viable business.
The problem I have always had with being a freelancer is you have 5-15 'bosses'/clients on your case all week - depending on how busy you are.
Unless you manage to become known for your particular style you are actually little more than a mouse for hire (but with the benefits of some freedom and the stress of making your own money).
It's something I think of a lot now I have a family and getting on a bit. My freelance business definitely has a shelf life.- just had a dark thought - most people on here are old - this isn't a cutting edge design forum, its full of bitter old designers... jesus.fadein11
- where are the cutting edge design forums *said in the simpson's grandpa voice*bklyndroobeki
- bklyndroobeki1
I know a woman who is 54 She's working for a huge space co. You guessed it. Has been there for a year and 1 1/2 and is very happy. portfolio is not anything more "special" than what I've seen on cr3 ative hotlist, and that's not an insult.
It can happen. I wonder how much "positive thinking" has to do w/ her success, she's one of the most optimistic / positive people that I know.
I know this guy seems a bit nutty but I kind of like him, check it out.
@ CrimsonGhost I know you're probably wanting to be in your hole, in all that discontent it's quite possibly the perfect time to reach out to your comrades, networks and friends or go to meet ups to get out of your own head no matter how hard it might be.
- With a video poster like that I'm scared to click on it.ArmandoEstrada
- Agreed, ... it's not as bad as you think. that is an awful still that they chose.bklyndroobeki
- *that is just an awful still that...bklyndroobeki
- cbass990
I feel as you get older, you want to keep making more money with your experience, but at some point, they figure they can get younger people to do your job for less. That is what scares me..
It's almost like you need to be an AD or CD to keep going...
- Don't mean to be rude - but a prostitute could say pretty much the same thing.fadein11
- ^ Yes I canKnuckleberry
- Ben995
+1 for this thread by the way.
Good to see we're not alone asking ourselves lots of questions.
- whinger0
I'm almost 45 — am not at an agency, am the boss of no one and really enjoy my work. I have pretty low levels of stress and I think that comes from having the experience to know that I can get the job done and that my client will be happy. I find that almost all of my clients appreciate my years of design experience. I, however, do not do any web design, so that may be a big part of the difference.
- Were you a web designer @ one point?bklyndroobeki
- Very first job, but then moved to print, mograph and back to print.whinger
- whinger0
Oh, and same thing as some of the others, I really don't have an exit strategy other than design. I guess I cross that road when I get to it.
- sausages2
35 years old here. Been freelancing for 7 years or so after working in big ad agencies. I used to work solely in print but have been coding websites for the past 4-5 years and it's the bulk of my work now. We moved from a large city to a small town on the coast and freelancing has been supporting my wife and 2 young kids. Work here is pretty scarce and while I work remotely for some good (and loyal) clients, we have times where we really struggle financially.
I echo a lot of what's been said above. Many clients are on a race to the bottom as far as budgets go while expectation remains high.
I can't see myself working as a designer much longer. I stopped enjoying my work a long time ago – just going through the motions these days and writing invoices. Thinking of transitioning to marketing and getting a cushy job with local government or something. Or stacking shelves... Neither would be much fun but to be honest, neither is this. (Sorry to continue the maudlin theme)
- bklyndroobeki0
^
i also know a developer at a university. he's been there for 8 years and is 53, he is VERY happy.
- you're on to something w/ the local gov't jobbklyndroobeki
- btw. love this thread.bklyndroobeki
- Yes, this is some good sharing. Good food for thought and very interesting timing I will say.BabySnakes
- monoboy0
I would recommend reading this book...
http://abookapart.com/products/d…I've just started up on my own after 15 years agency side.
Everything you do for a client, prospective or current should be billed. This includes meetings. Your time is valuable.
Always take a business approach. What we do isn't creative magic. It's work. And your experience dictates how much you charge.
Good brand work transforms businesses. We know more about effective business than most CEOs.
Get paid. And good luck.
- + on reading that book, great info in there for anyone not good with the business side of the work.zarkonite
- Hmm, not sure I agree with "everything should be billed". Creatives aren't lawyers, generally don't bill hourly.formed
- Lawyers get paid well, right. Joking aside. Doesn't have to be hourly. Just billed.monoboy
- Problem is Mono - no cunt wants to pay for ANYTHINGnylon
- It can be hard. Good brand work makes good business. Focus on the value. Try this... http://www.liquidage…monoboy
- a_aachen1
thanks to all for your open thoughts. here are mine:
i am freelancer, been that for 12 years now. always worked good for me. i dont make like 100.000 a year but then again, i wouldnt need the money. now beginning this year my two biggest clients jumped off due to internal reorganisations cutting my income dramatically. I was expecting this, so no big surprise. and although this is not easy, cause i have wife and a child, soon two, i am trying to see this as a opportunity for me.
i just finished an exhibition, working on a book project and planning a theatre project for autumn – everything pays less than design but i am excited doing it. my prof always said that a good designer has the ability "to think with the heads of other people" and i believe this ability gives us the ability to do different things besides designing logos and websites.also i was always lucky to be interested in different things (although, looking back, doing so also hindered me seeking 100% in design) so i am giving cooking classes and improv workshops.
I found it easier to live your life if you try to avoid comparing yourself to other friends/colleagues etc (who earn more).
this is all a bit incoherent, nevermind.
- CrimsonGhost10
Thank you all for your support and sharing your experiences. It really means a lot to me. (And I thought this place was just for downvoting Gerorges photo choices...I kid)
@bklyndroobeki I watched the video. I like what Brandon says about duration and weight we give to our negative thoughts. Believe me when I say I don't wish to stay down.
A little about me: I left home at 16, put myself through university and have lived a life doing what I want despite friends, family and acquaintances telling me I can't. "You can't make it as an artist, that's a stupid profession. Haven't you heard of starving artists?" "You can't get a tattoo," "You can't ride a motorcycle" etc etc etc. What that means is THEY can't or THEY'RE afraid to. People will always try to live their lives and fears out through you and I've always lived my life tuning them all out.
I live for being hyper creative, 41 and still hungry for new trends, scribbling in my sketchbook or taking photos. Shit, before digital and camera phones I'd blow so much money on getting photos of random crap that inspired me in that moment developed.
I have defined myself my entire life as an artist. The thought of working at something like stocking shelves is a Hell I'm trying very hard not to sentence myself to. NOT that there's anything wrong with those jobs at all, but I've always wanted to be passionate about what I do. I'm the jerk that goes to the movies and names the fonts while looking at the ads they show before the trailers, or cringes when he looks at a menu that's poorly kerned. Where else but our world would have me?
Having a job of 15 years fall out from under me was a huge blow. After which came constant and repeated feelings of rejection, irrelevance and being inconsequential that have been chipping away at me. I started freelancing and tried "faking it til I made it" but those core feelings of being a 41 year old out of work art director and web developer are like a cancer that have been eating me alive.
Depression is an entirely different animal altogether. I thought I could pull out of it on my own, that if I told anyone what I was going through I would be considered weak or broken. My doctor repeatedly tells me its a disease that needs to be treated, like diabetes, that you can't just will away, and I should say "Thank god, there's a pill that's keeping me from jumping out a window." I haven't reached that level of acceptance yet but I'm trying.
I'm working very hard at getting myself back to a healthy place so I can pull out of this nosedive. So my brain can work again rather than feel like somebody grabbed the emergency brake and is holding it in a vice like grip.
I apologize if I've made this thread about me. I hope some of my experiences can in some way help. If any of you are dealing with similar dark or negative thoughts, please know you're not alone and there IS help.
Again, thank you all so much.
- It takes courage to admit what you're going through and to reach out to others. As you're now seeing, it's in every one of us as well.Gucci
- Nicely stated.
I wish you the best moving forward CGRamanisky2 - You are definitely not alone. I understand completely what you write.SimonFFM
- ... I almost hate to do this but i hate this new culture of internet pussies. grow some balls, quit being irrationally emo and evaluate your values. ALL yourdeathboy
- answers you search for exist in your posts if u are a llittle more self awaredeathboy
- i'll tune you up. i clearly see your problems if u REALLY want to see them. Paragraph 5 first sentence clearly shows your level of disillusionment. hit me updeathboy
- Certified.set
- necromation1
You will be okay! Find strength in your loves ones... and remember if you go, they will be left to feel your pain and theirs of not been able to help you. The cycle never ends. You will look back and smile one day... I know it sounds clique but there are millions people would trade your troubles for theirs in a hot minute.
- Ben990
Again CrimsonGhost, thanks a lot for sharing this. Really.
Personaly i feel i'm heading toward the end of an important chapter in my life, professionally and personally. And I just turned 36 and i really hate the fact of aging and time passing by. Lots of question in my mind since a few months. The future is very unclear. I try to stay positive. And i'm really happy to read the comments in this thread and see that i'm not alone.
- Ben993
I feel like we're in a helping group like those, lol
- necromation6
I'm 41 this year... and i will not fade into the night! i'm causing hell and showing these young whippersnappers how you get shit done and when i'm done i burn rubber on my bikes into the fucking sunset!!!
Fuck age... Fuck youth... Fuck work...
Fuck shit up! i've got your back!
- Gucci0
35 this year. I find the transition from identifying as a "doer" to a more hardcore managerial role difficult. Putting others in a position to succeed when you've seen yourself the same way for so long can be torturous. Redefining what you equate accomplishment with can be damn near impossible.
Someone likened it to going from a player to a coach in sports. Meh.
We're all in this shit together and we all struggle with the exact same things. A lot of creatives sit within their own thoughts to find answers to problems that it becomes a poisonous, unhealthy norm. Kudos to talking about stuff.
So many feels in this thread.