Getting older and working in design
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- 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
- Ben995
+1 for this thread by the way.
Good to see we're not alone asking ourselves lots of questions.
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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!
- _niko0
We should all start a QBN version of that douchey company that son used to be part of.
- 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
- 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
- _niko0
think the same, looking to get more into illustration, storytelling and art as I grow older, things that don't rely on or need to keep up with the latest trends, fads and technology to be relevant.
- utopian2
I am currently working on my second architectural project as we speak..my next house will be built from a blank slate. I am hoping that this will launching pad into my career as a residential architect. And now my architectural friends are bit envious, which creates a new set of challenges and obstacles. FFS, I'm damned if I do and damned if I don't!
- exador10
i dunno....it's not quite as hopeless as it may seem.....
I'm in my early 40s....about to turn 43 in a few weeks....I'm currently the creative director at a small but growing software company, also doing some design consulting for some of our clients as well....
things change, roles change and we have to kind of change along with them....
i've finally been learning html and css (lol, in my old age ) and am finding it a lot of fun....
it's going to be a big help as i can now help turn around my designs a lot faster with that knowledge....also, and not to be a smart ass or elitist or anything...but i also learned what value i add ....
you can certainly teach code to a great many people...but design? talent? creativity?
nope...not so much....
i've seen first hand for a while now how a lot of the younger set that prides themselves on being hotshit at frontend dev and design aren't 'really' all that smoking hot at all...
not saying that there aren't some out there..
but man...another thing is with your longevity usually comes a huuuuge skill set.
- omahadesigns3
Anyone who starts in their 20's and is any good is just bossing people around by the time they are 35.
The real money is telling people what to do and going to meetings, not sitting around and setting type and figuring out break points.
- you don't have to be good, but it's smarter. If we did this just for money, we'd all be broke.ArchitectofFate
- uan0
we all die at 45. or have you seen Horp around here lately?
- Ben991
We live in a very materialistic world (us, Westerners). And our image and what we shine to the others is important in an era of social network. It's easy been scared of not having enough money and a job to be proud of.
When we reach our 40's+ I think we should be able to progress at another level and put our priorities on other stuff like being in shape, healty and happy with our friends, family and wife/husband.
Easy to say, i know.
- I want this as wellKnuckleberry
- But life is so freakin expensive! Kids, mortgage, bills, food. Everything just goes up so quick...except my wage!BusterBoy
- True.. i knowBen99
- spot133
I've been transitioning to management (in my mid 30's) and now have five staff under me including a graphic designer, web designer, a developer and a motion designer. Some people will be 'doers' forever but generally the more people who work for you, the more money you will make. You also become a mentor and influencer through this direction, which I really enjoy.
- BK1
You guys are bumming me out.
- Ben990
I've been thinking about this a lot lately. I'm kinda tired of graphic design sometimes and feel i won't be in the game in 10-15 years but i have zero idea what i would do outside it.
I think there are too many self-proclamed designers and the profession is been diluted with all those websites offering graphic design for 5$.
I feel the place to be is into apps and websites design, but i find those very complicated and perpetually changing and I'm very lazy.
My dream is to create a website with a product, a service or anything else that would make me rack up a small decent salary and live out of it. But i have no idea what to do. I'm lazy and i can't code complexe stuff.
I have no idea what my professional future will be.