HECK YES This is what I was coming here to talk about! I had high and unrealistic expectations. Knowing a lot about how printers work could land you a position at a printer manufacturer or a business that sells hardware to design studios. Learn what degree you need to be graphic designer and explore experience requirements, job responsibilities, and essential graphic design … In a few days I'll hopefully have a job, I have a partner who cares for me, friends who care for me, I realized I'm in the same situation as many of my peers and people with much more skill than me. Traffic managers also have little to do with the creative goings on. Now im pretty burnt out on that so Im continuing my edu to learn casual gaming design for mobile as well as illustration and more animation. tl;dr - Try to get a better job, they aren't all the same. The following 11 signs will reveal whether you should become a graphic designer… Not all bosses and clients are like the ones you have experienced. What makes you tick as a creative person? Specialising in one particular subset of print can be a great way to stand out, like London-based designer/screenprinter Dan Mather. update - I appreciate all the outpouring of support, I really do, but I would like to discuss more alternatives to a career in design. With this I could only teach Associate level courses so the design 101, photoshop 1, that kind of stuff. Or the wrong due date. Always keep learning and trying new things, or else you'll remain stagnant. Tell clients to fuck off if you've had it with their shit, demand half payment up front, etc. After that I applied again, got in and had three great years. Weirdly, I studied ID and have ended up freelancing graphic design. I’ve done the freelance thing, and also worked as an in-house Designer/Prepress for a local print shop, and now currently work as a Marketing Intern at the University. And likewise, a career in UX is a highly viable option as well. Its difficult to describe why in this situation they are stressing me out, but if I had to pinpoint one reason it does, is that my boss has no concept of time management and everything comes down to crunch time. Whether you get a graphic design degree or teach yourself graphic design… I lived in Clearwater Fl which is where the scientology headquarters are and they own 85% of the downtown property there. Why? Any ideas for jobs or areas of interest that I can focus on? Find what you like. I'm in a similar situation right now. Six years, you've only just started. Thanks for the advice! Don't give up on art & design, they're hard bitches that require a lot of work but when you tame them they become a part of who you are, forever and infinitely. Then moved, and got a job at Volition, he's now working on Saint's Row 4th. [–]jadenight 0 points1 point2 points 8 years ago (0 children). But right now I'm actually feeling depressed and frustrated every time I leave work, and I feel the right path for me would be to pursue something more suited to my personality while I'm still young and can afford to make these drastic changes. That also is keeping me sane because the ones that don't care, I can crank out a quick card and then have a little more creative and persuasive energy to spend on the clients who do care. Design is more about science than art. [–]nigglereddit 0 points1 point2 points 8 years ago (0 children). Make sure to emphasize that in whatever new career path you decide. I got paid $11/hr, which is not much at all and certainly depressing considering how much shit I had to deal with at the time. It is no picnic, but I can certainly say that for myself, I'd do it all again to be where I am now. [–]ddhboy 1 point2 points3 points 8 years ago (3 children). I think if I just work hard, show people what I can do, open my mind to different possibilities as far as a career, then I'll be fine. It's like they expected some kind of rock n' roll lifestyle just because they became graphic designers. [–]Roobomatic 1 point2 points3 points 8 years ago (5 children). Take a vacation to Europe and network with some Graphic Designers over there. There are scholarships though I think. There is a school in the north of Sweden where the education it's all in English I think. I took a break over summer, considered going into IT or studying architecture. Scientologists? Thanks for sharing, and I definitely know that after time things get better as you carve your place in the industry. This is something I've considered, but don't know much about. How do I market these skills to take my career in a different direction? It kind of stinks. Career Dilemma: I don't want to do Graphic Design anymore. Also,a big part of the job is to present the work and there the good 'ol skills come very handy. If I were to magically materialize at my current job, I wouldn't be able to appreciate everything I have here because I wouldn't have my past horror-experiences to contrast with. I worked freelance and found out how hard it is to tell a client "that's a terrible idea" when they're paying your salary. As for stress and creativity, your school should at the very least touch on this subject. I knew how to use the software and was usually at the top of my class in terms of design skill. [–]straydog13 2 points3 points4 points 8 years ago (0 children), those sage words, though meant for the OP, are helping me greatly in a similar time of doubt, [–][deleted] 1 point2 points3 points 8 years ago (5 children). I’m majoring fashion design and I want to work at fashion company. I'm on my final year and hate it to death, however I have found a new interest which is graphic design and that is keeping me occupied while I cope with the remaining year I have left of school. [–]Roobomatic 2 points3 points4 points 8 years ago (2 children). The innovative BeFunky Graphic Designer makes it simple to design however you want. [–]TheGrandTaco 4 points5 points6 points 8 years ago (0 children). Well I think most jobs, if not all, have deadlines. … I think design is what you make of it. Call me a glutton for punishment. [–]quilford 3 points4 points5 points 8 years ago (0 children), "I’ve come to the conclusion that what I enjoyed was the innovation, thinking outside the box, and fitting all the puzzle pieces together in a design.". Switching careers can be a long, drawn out process. There are a LOT of A-grade bullshitters in marketing that like to throw around buzzwords and speak the lingo while having no clue to what they're doing. Try finance. In some of my classes, we learned about various techniques and activities to help keep us on our toes creatively and deal with stress. So being able to work effectively and efficiently while under pressure is a huge HUGE thing you'll need no matter what. I received nothing besides "we regret to inform you" messages, had a grand total of three portfolio views, granted my portfolio was thrown together and doesn't have nearly enough examples which is completely my fault. Illustration? your job is never a trap, unless you see it as one. I would love to do this! Working as the sole designer in a small print shop for about 1.5 years right out of school. I think most of them wanted to be artists but didn't have the courage to follow through with that whole "starving" part. I know no job is perfect, and there's always going to be bad days and bad people to work with, but I think I can do a little better than the rut I’m in now. Anyway, when I applied the first time I thought it would be a piece of cake to get in since I was a cool graphic designer. See /r/CrappyDesign or /r/designmemes. In the freelance aspect you play the role of all three designer, animator, and production. I have the feeling that an internet startup would go nuts over someone with real design training coming on to do UI, and the fact that it's a sidestep for you (you weren't trained in user interface design, but print design) will be seen as cool to them and as having an edge over the billions of wannabe UX designers. There is no other job for me. Good luck, but don't get caught up in a "grass is greener on the other side" quagmire. Actually, there's a book called "Design is a Job" that should be required reading. Anyway, I thought I wanted out of the design industry too, ended up very burnt out and quit. I really recommend taking a whole ID education and just not CAD. However, if you decide to look further into marketing, be wary of who you work for and learn as much as you can. Bumped up to $13/hr, but for someone in their late 20's, that's not a lot to live on. Regardless of what you do, you're going to have to work hard at it, so you might as well really spend the time finding what you love to do. I think my talents are more towards critical thinking and problem solving skills. How can I transition from Graphic Designer to something else? always make time to learn what your passionate about. Also, entry level positions in marketing aren't exactly a walk in the park. Finding out how a candidate generates ideas, works through design … Try and leave your work at the office, but I realize that's not always easy. See /r/identifythisfont, No crappy design, memes. [–][deleted] -1 points0 points1 point 8 years ago (0 children). We graphic designers have a love-hate relationship with criticism. Design isn't all sunshine and happiness. I finally got my first job and worked there for 2 years. You might find creative houses less stiffling, but every position has its deadlines, headaches and downsides. I know dealing with said people is part of the job and there’s no way to get around it, and that as designers we just suck it up and learn to deal with frustrating people while at the same time working on our communication skills to convince the client that as an experienced professional we know what's best and thats why we were hired. And you can't start at the top. Hang out with different people, get to know new people, go to places you wouldn't think about, do something completely out of your comfort zone. Guess what, people change careers. And in my story, it's happening. The best designs aren’t the ones that try to fit every design element on the block into a single composition. And now I'm sick of graphic design. The main job you have as a graphic designer is making a client’s … Same. I've applied to jobs in other states but with no luck because I figure most are trying to hire local and quickly. If you had a spark for it before, I guarantee you still have it somewhere in you. Something. Like numbers? My BA is something no where near graphic designing. The thing is, you've probably never had a real graphic design job. Different schools will have different requirements maybe but I taught classes at a branch of the International Academy of Design and Technology for-profit university chain and I have a Bachelor's of Fine art and 6 years industry experience(at the time) as my qualifications. I say spend some time to find your niche and hammer it. Need Tips: Ended Freelance Client Relationship and Need to Fairly Price Source Files. Dealing with stress is always a challenge, but there are a variety of things you can do. tl;dr - Spent six years wanting to be a Graphic Designer, but no longer feel the same. People switch things up all the time and there's nothing wrong with that. You can only get better by doing great work no matter the brief, and you will only be given better briefs if you prove you can respond creatively. [–]deadlybydsgn 3 points4 points5 points 8 years ago (0 children). CSS was a baby, and we didn't even touch it during my schooling. I was wroooong. Although you're already 10 steps ahead of me I guess the best advice I can give is maybe work a little bit at home on things that you want to design. Www.konstfack.se (where I went), [–]ReallyBigCool 8 points9 points10 points 8 years ago (1 child). Don't let that ruin your love or your passion. You don't know how much I would love to do that lol. However, that hasn't stopped me from learning things on my own. You could switch from 2D to 3D, and work as a packaging, industrial or interior designer. How to be a Graphic Design Without Losing Your Soul by Adrian Shaughnessy; Thinking, Fast And Slow by Daniel Kahneman; Maybe you don’t like reading. [–]exzackt 2 points3 points4 points 8 years ago (1 child). So here’s my dilemma and a little background. I couldn't find a job in the industry to save my life for almost 3 years (not enough experience!). Eh I'm over design. Sounds like you're already getting some ideas together. I was going to suggest studying architecture, but that's just as client-based as graphic design. She deserved it. We did learn basic HTML - basically in notepad and some in dreamweaver back when all this was macromedia and it was all freehand, some illustrator and photoshop (barely photoshop i had to learn this mostly myself), and flash was brand new too. I’ve been struggling ever since .. I’ve always loved design, but now I feel like I almost hate it. I had 3 call backs and 2 interviews and over 200 "Thanks but no thanks" responses. You know that peaceful feeling you get when you’re in a gorgeous, wide open space? That delightful moment when you get the invoice from your web designer :). As with any career, there’s a learning curve when it comes to working as a graphic designer. I have a friend that worked "tool" jobs for a couple of years. You can do it! [–]MaddieCakes 0 points1 point2 points 8 years ago (0 children). You have to earn your way. Sorry for obnoxious bold, I just want that point to be seen in this surprisingly large thread. This will help you figure out what transferrable skills do you have. Apparently people are still finding this, so I'm posting my latest response to user clydefrogforever which I think wraps up this post: Wow, I'm surprised people are still finding and replying to this. If you abuse them, they will abuse you right back. Dan specialises in water-based screenprinting, and has combined his print expertise with a design education from the London College of Communication to work with a diverse mix of clients in the design and cycling industries. No, I'm not responsible for you giving me the wrong phone number. You don’t need to be a skilled drawer, but you will need to know some … Dealing with the bullshit and bad environments in my opinion, should be par for the course. But it'd be a different experience, and you may be able to make it your own. Just be careful when turning to various vices when dealing with stress. My girlfriend has been working shit jobs, but is now interning at a design firm. I know my employers suck and that it's not all like that, and that I just need to find inspiration to keep me going. The ad agency I worked for was owned by scientologists and 95% of our clientele were likewise members of scientology. A lot of you downvote what you don't want to hear: unvarnished truths. 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