Getting older and working in design
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- pr20
Joined this board many years ago when i was still in college studying painting and graphic design.
I slowly drifted away from painting and the past 12 years worked as Director of Photography on music videos, commercials and feature films. Good pay, but there is no job security as i never know what' i'll be doing 2 months from now. In the process i've made a number of award winning shorts and music videos and in the past year finished a feature-length doc that tries to push the boundaries. It was an artistic bet that we've won and financial bet that we didn't. The film's artistry brought in a very rich benefactor that wants to finance personal projects - so technically i'm employed for next year or so on the next film. This taught me that on big and complex projects the rewards are not often immediate or apparent. Sometimes the reward comes from an unlikely place. I always had this uneasy feeling that film is the medium of the "masses" but thanks to digital revolution the film transformed into much more intimate medium and this is revitalizing. At 35, I know i'll never be doing blockbusters (unless paid to film it) as i have no interest with pop culture, i know i'll be making small intimate films that get experience as if reading a poem. This is not only fine with me but actually very desirable: i don't want to affect mindless mass of people but rather a few select people who have desire to dig deeper. I played with going back to painting but i simply have no patience. Moreover, as i'm an intellectual procrastinator trying to dig at an issue to such depths that with time it stops being exciting i would never paint but rather think about it. This you can't do with film, there is a specific date when you start shooting and that day you HAVE to start making decisions (and learn to live with those decisions).- Have you considered going back to college to study paragraphs?fadein11
- ^
LOL. fuckin dick. Im dying over here.sofakingback - Hah, fadeinPeter
- i still don't forgive you for forgetting to turn on your camera during the obama girl pillow fight scene...robotron3k
- paragraphs = communication; here you have stream of thoughtspr2
- lol fadeinPonyBoy
- Lol fadeinHayoth
- dee-dubs0
Bump, was wondering how things were looking for CrimsonGhost over last few months?
- how are things going with you?Gnash
- Doing OK, but anxiety about what the future holds persists...dee-dubs
- ^ i hear you. hang in thereGnash
- https://www.youtube.…bklyndroobeki
- Ianbolton1
I'm 40 next year and been designing stuff for at least 20 of those. I think I'm going to end it all in the new year. You heard it here first folks!
- when you say end it all I hope you mean design (not yourself)dee-dubs
- he said end it
ALL
It was nice knowing you.O0O0O0 - You already said:
ALL
Don't you dare back out now.sofakingback - PICS
OR
IT
DIDN'T
HAPPENO0O0O0 - Gonna be a has been, not another could've been.Ianbolton
- I'll start a new Suicide of the Day thread anyway. So chill the fuck out.Ianbolton
- We're chill bro.O0O0O0
- And what are you going to do next?Ben99
- Might study. Maybe travel. Who knows? Be good to get a little more freelance work from beyond the grave.Ianbolton
- Geith4
I'm 51 and wait, let me check my pulse – yep, I'm dead.
- < from beyond the gravedee-dubs
- What? You don't know? All of us here... we're already dead.
https://www.youtube.…ETM
- Ben991
I'll turn 38 next March.
I'm into graphic design and related stuff since 1999, it's been 16 years.I feel I've never completely become expert in any particular area of creation. I'm ok at illustration, i'm ok at graphic design, i'm ok at photography, i'm a beginner in web design stuck in basic-mid css+html.
I have a comfortable job since 15 years where I do lots of various thing, but all those thing are basic stuff created rapidly for TV. Never been in an agency to create serious elaborated stuff. 99.99% of the stuff i create at work will never be in my portfolio because its all basic shitty stuff. All my portfolio is made of personal projects except a few freelance jobs i'm doing at home after work. But i like my job, pays well too.
I know i will never find any job like the one i got right now. Its unique. If i ever lose that job i will be in front of a wall. I have zero idea what I would do or what I want to do.
Graphic design doesn't excite me as much as before. I was creating stuff non-stop a few years ago. Now, since a few years I only got a creative rush like 1 or 2 time a year... and it last a few weeks or couple month. Rest of the time i dont feel like creating or i dont feel what i try to do looks good.
Creating stuff for clients that tells you what they want and gives you 500 words to fit on a business card. I'm fucking tired of that shit. Creating stuff with shitty logos and shitty pictures that doesn't fit the canvas size and ratio, i'm fucking tired of that shit.
And everyone is a designer these days. The profession has been diluted in all those "Website for 50$" and "Logo for 5$" websites...
So, yeah. Getting older and working in graphic design is not cool for everyone. It's really motivating and cool when you're 22 years-old. But now at 40, its another game and lots of us are starting to get confuse and unsure about certain aspects of all this.
- matski7
I'm 38 now and currently in the transition from being an agency designer for 12 years (from which I've become burned out, and bored), and the past year freelancing, to doing something I really love – becoming an artist/painter.
I'm in the process of moving out of London, and recently brought a little house by the sea (moving in next week). Where I will set up an art studio, and spend my days doing what I like best – creating, and being expressive.
The buzz of London was a massive draw when i was younger, but now I'm older I am more attracted to slowing things down (a little). It wasn't a easy choice (as there's not many career choices or financial rewards being an artist/painter), but I think you come to a time in your life when you need to weigh up what makes you happy. I'm in a position where I don't have kids – if I did than I probably would not be doing this. But I get the same excitement now about to start a new chapter in my life, as I did when I first got into design.
- inspiring!valentim
- Thats awesome. Not to get in your bizzz but the fear there is income. Is the painting bringing in income enough to pay for a home and living? If so you win.sofakingback
- where in london are you and where you going? are you cashing in on london property?dee-dubs
- Good luck to you. I'm in the same boat.bezoar
- Good luck! Do you have enough income coming from your art? Fantastic if you do. Or are you going to freelance too? It does sound nice.formed
- good luck. sounds like a tough transitiondocpoz
- Best wishes.hosscreative
- Continuity0
So a little follow-up to what I posted above.
Another CD at the agency where I work — roundabout my age, I think a year older or so — has decided to only come in two days a week, devoting the remaining three working days to teaching advertising at a local uni.
Part of me thinks, 'Well done, mate, you've managed to re-invent yourself somehow.'
Another part of me thinks, 'Fuck me. Is this how I'm going to be put out to pasture when my time comes? I have to stand in front of a bunch of kids and _teach_?!'
I'd rather staple my bag to my leg.
- trooperbill0
Got made redundant 4 weeks ago having bounced around loads of small agencies for the past 16 years (wow)
most digital marketing is becoming pr now and im not skilled in it and dont have the time to reinvent myself
been around every big agency in the area and lost of in house roles for interviews and im too experienced for most and not specialist enough for others... it sucks
most agencies who interviewed me were just farming candidates and had no intention of hiring... a recruiter told me this was a major issue at the moment
got a temp job offered at a large brand which would have been cool if it was permament
just in time i landed a role in a big digital agency - its a more junior position, further away than id really like and for 3k a year less than i was on... but i gotta eat and have a kid due in jan so need the cash
they were concerned that id jumped job every few years but in my experience there is no job security... whaddayagonna do. i basically turned it around saying i was having a kid and looking for a new 'home'
too long for a dick and too short for a richard i think they say.
i start next monday which gves me time to illustrate the jungle scene on our nursery wall.
i thought bout moving out of the industry completely but had no idea where to even begin.
- Well the positive of this is you got another job and within 4 weeks... thats good no?dee-dubs
- Continuity0
At nearly 42, I recently started a new CD in one of the bigger ad agencies here. At one point I was starting to worry, cos I know this game is for the kids, but I managed.
Don't know how long I'll keep this up for though; I've been looking at my life and really asking myself if this is what I want to devote 8 hours of each day or more to.
Yay, existential crises.
- a new CD job*Continuity
- I doubt the age thing applies if you're at CD level or above but best of luck either way.CyBrainX
- It kind of does. Even at that level, there's a sort of ageism that dictates things. There's also the fact agencies don't want to fork money out. It's mental.Continuity
- I spoke with a recruitment agent once that told me lot of agencies go for <40 CD as they want the youth/trend to be creative face of their company.dee-dubs
- ^Continuity
- sounds like its going well if only working 8 hours a day.fadein11
- Closer to ten or eleven.Continuity
- bezoar3
Short answer is that I'm moving to something else. almost 40 and it seems that my situation is very similar to those in this thread. 13 years in the industry and decided to take a leap of faith and start a new adventure.
Had to leave the design/ad world. burned out, downer attitude, cynical...etc. due to the chip on my shoulder and fuck wad management. however, i did have passion for the work and met many friends.
So if I'm gonna spend time at something, I'd rather focus on my family and artwork. So after 5 months in Japan, and my wife's blessing ahem, I returned with new attitude and career goals.
Currently apprenticing at a studio prototyping toys and sculpting/casting my own art pieces. Still freelancing when the money is worth it.
BTW nice to join the conversation qbn. been lurking 'round these parts for a while.
- georgesIII0
no, I don't plan too,
I plan to be a designer of my life but my exit plan is to go back to the earthfarmer, etc, I already have a good sized plot
- bklyndroobeki0
read this recent issue yesterday
http://hosted-images.magazine-se…, it put a sprint in my step.
- sothere1
I was just made redundant. It seems I was too senior for the company. The assumption is they can hire younger guys at a lower cost to do a adequate job so why pay the salary.
There just doesn't seem to be the respect towards what an older creative can bring to a company. Companies are too often run by accountants that just see the dollars and dont have any creative knowledge to really see the difference,
I'm not sure what I'd do for a new career and who would hire a 41 year old with no experience in something new anyway.
I am pretty worried about the future as my partner and I have our first baby on the way and prospects look pretty lean.
- See below. Go for the senior roles. It takes longer to land one, but they're out there.Continuity
- thanks mate. I'm not giving up yet.sothere
- CrimsonGhost11
I'm posting under a second profile - 50% embarrassment and 50% because some of you know me outside of qbn and I want to be honest.
I'm 41 and worked for an entertainment company for well over a decade. First as a graphic designer and web developer and ultimately taking on the role of art director for my department. I lost my job in January '13 when the company decided to outsource my department.
I've been freelancing since then but lately it's slowed down to the point where my wife is basically supporting me. I'm amazed how undervalued our work is. People expect to pay a few hundred bucks for branding work you all know what's involved in creating.
I, in a very Stockholm Syndrome kind of way tried getting another corporate job. I've gone on many interviews where I'm told I'm "overqualified" which is code for "we can get someone fresh out of school for way less." I even went on one interview where they asked me what I would improve on their sites and how, while a woman took notes and they thanked me for coming in. I saw many of my suggestions implemented on their site a month later. The result of all of which has made me feel unbelievably irrelevant.
I got to a pretty bad place and tried ending things last month. "Things" being me.
Yes, I've been getting help. I've always been an artist and creative and I wish I could figure out what my next path should be.
- It's not easy. Thanks for sharing.Ben99
- Damn. I share the same sentiment as benfal. Be well man.mrpt
- It's not easy, but as long as we are alive and healthy, all the rest can go to Hell. We are full of possibilities and we will always find a path.Ben99
- Sorry to hear it CG, glad you're getting help.EightyDeuce
- Damn, sorry to hear things got so bad. Hope outlook is starting to look brighterdee-dubs
- Stockholm Syndrome reference...brillian...utopian
- Thank you. I'm 36 and can see similar challenges coming on the horizon. It's scary. And I'm single with no one to count on...LOKi
- the path of a jedi is rarely even, my friend. stick with it, i'm sure your wife will be grateful you didn't give up :)scarabin
- I wish I had an answer for you, as it pains me to read this. Please let me know if I can help in anyway.Knuckleberry
- Well played on putting it out there.
http://www.gq-magazi…MrBixler - If you figured out what your next path was going to be, what would you know? --heydude420USA
- As cliché as it might sounds, I was in the exact same place as you 3 years ago. and I mean.. exactly the same placeFabricio
- But time does gets things sorted my friend, hang in there. I didnt have a wife 3 years ago (well, im gay.. haha) but things were looking really bad...Fabricio
- Looking back now, my life has changed so much lately, and yes, once in a while I get the desperate of (fuck, where are the jobs coming from! There is no work!)Fabricio
- All I am trying to say is... (in a very inarticulate manner) do not give up, please! Write me an e-mail, and we can chat about this ok?Fabricio
- Thanks for sharing you too Fabricio. I'm sending positive waves to everyone in here.Ben99
- I'd hope to think it's obviously your next step to greatness. The universe wanting you to focus on something. Have you figured that out?CGN
- Allan watts is always a joy to listen too aswell https://www.youtube.…CGN
- good one https://www.youtube.…CGN
- Shit man. sorry to hear you got into that state. Hard for words from strangers to help but please try to stay positive. Millions of people have bad patches.HAYZ1LLLA
- Sorry to hear that man. I know this is all just talk on the internet, and people saying try this, try that doesn't actually do much,ESKEMA
- but that's the only way we can help right now.. Have you tried creating your own product / service? Being less dependent on companies and dealing directly withESKEMA
- customers might be a solution. Or a path to another solution.. I don't know..ESKEMA
- i've gone through similar things. it's not easy but don't ever give up. you never know what and when something might happen. i was really surprised a few times.renderedred
- Fuck... Dude, work is just work, 90% if this is being able to sell yourself! I was a good designer... Not great, but now i pretty much don't even open PS...necromation
- ... as i'm a CD. Sure it gets tough but death!?! Why let them win?!? Learn to play to your strengths and make yourself wanted... the rest is easy.necromation
- you've solved many problems in your career, this is now the one you need to work ontimeless
- teach what you do, mentor students, consult, anything to keep you in the gametimeless
- thought of this during one of my dark times https://www.etsy.com… now it makes us a few thousand a yeartimeless
- I love ESKEMA's idea . . . creating your own product / service? Being less dependent on companies - start your own item / thing : field notes? holy ftimeless
- it's just a blank notebook done well - sorry getting off topic. I know we're all saying things to bring you back up - are you reading these?timeless
- hope they're helping alongside the help you're already getting. hang in there - I know it sounds like a cat postertimeless
- Thank you all so much. I wrote a response on Page 2. Too much to add in one note.CrimsonGhost
- Courageous post CG. Thanks for sharing. I'm hitting 40 too this year.Calderone2000
- CyBrainX0
I haven't really suspected age getting in my way until a couple of years ago when I turned 50. I didn't have any issue in my 30s. I can get freelance frequently enough but I'm getting turned down for full time time jobs I know I'm more than qualified for even before I can talk about money.
- eryx0
I was looking for a tread to post this in because I found a different career path from being a flash developer up until about 4 years ago. I was fired from my agency and tried to make it as freelance developer. I devoted a lot of my time to leaning new programming techniques but after utterly failing at Flex I decided to throw in the towel.
I started my new career at 32 years old and have been at it for almost 3 years. I work in the NDT industry. The work is very physical and has to potential to be very dangerous but I do get to take pictures all day.
There is a large amount of certifications that you have to pass in order to move forward in this career but once you start moving forward it becomes more interesting. Pay also starts pretty high, I made almost three times as much as I did when I was under salary at an agency and paid more in taxes than I made in income as a freelancer.
There are some things that I miss from my old career. I miss not being part of a large project that I can point to and say “I programmed that”. The sense of accomplishment when you solve a difficult problem. I also miss the new and exiting ideas and techniques that I was exposed to on a daily basis. The people I worked with were informed, cultured and for the most part non-violent.
My new career has some interesting challenges, I am sure that it would not be for everyone you have to have some very thick skin to deal with very thick people. Working in -40˚C weather, wildlife, insane hours, dangerous material and humping the camera through the mud are definite drawbacks but job security, monetary compensation and the ability to move forward into many different off shoots of the same core career tend to negate them pretty quickly.
All in all I am happy that I changed careers but I still miss what I use to do, I think that is why I keep coming back there, so that I can kind of still see what is going on...... and COTD.
Here is my camera:
- thanks for sharing. camera looks interesting -- are you exposed to much radiation?Gnash
- some, lots of safety procedures you have to follow. Makes it interesting.eryx
- I imagine there is little work for flex. I would have learned flex if I was smart/dedicated enough. In hindsight I'm glad I was stupid/uncapabl to learn it.hotroddy
- good wkmans comp too i supposebklyndroobeki
