...new year=another wasted year of your life panic
January 4, 2010 1:14 PM Subscribe
Wouldn't being hired as a graphic artist (graphic designer/in-house desktop publisher) mean that my work involves some form of artistry?
Long story: I apologize in advance.
I was hired at an engineering firm for a graphics/publishing position. Although the firm has an in-house marketing group, I was hired to work exclusively with one practice area because of their heavy workload. It started out good and I ultimately widened my skill-base with new software and production experience and I have enjoyed working on a lot of different, interesting projects. Now, I am fully capable and experienced with all types of layout and design projects: anything from formatting hundred-page documents to creating presentation backgrounds, logos, handouts, and doing expert photo manipulation, and animated graphics. You name it! I have also recently received a nice level of success with my personal artwork at a local gallery.
The trouble: the group I was hired on to went through many changes over the last ten years; my position in the group ended when the person who became my supervisor had a major temper blow-out and dictated that any artistic layout/production documents done for the group were to be done with word processing software. That was the last straw for me! But luckily, instead of quitting my job completely, I was able to transfer to another group within the company because that group's manager had wanted me to work with them. Good move- I had a ton of new, exciting work- it was good.
Unfortunately, the head of this new group, is no longer the manager as of the first of the year. That in itself is not a huge problem, but there have been issues managing the workload in the group, and for the last month, the design work that I have had to do in the group has gone from an extreme backlog to none- so in place of graphic design, I have been doing writing, copy-editing projects, etc. And I am afraid that the new group manager already has a view of me as a glorified secretary or proofreader. *sigh*
I have a bad feeling that I've gone as far as I can with my abilities in an engineering firm. Now that I've helped them with their backlog of design work, I'm not sure how often I will have projects that require the level of artistic design that I want to do. However, because of my tenure with the firm and the company's stability, I hate to jump ship--especially in this economy. I also realize that based on my location in the midwest, I may have elevated my skills past any alternate available position/better salary. [no, I do not want to relocate.]
Since I do have a stable job with considerable tenure, do I suck it up and put up with doing other tasks since I know I will still have more artisticly-inclined projects from time to time? Or do I have I really hit a plateau here? But what options do I have...? I will be miserable if I keep doing copy-editing and stuff like that, but realistically, I'm not sure how much time is spent doing actual artistic design at other businesses with similar positions (ad agencies, for example). Do I just have a bad case of "the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence"? Maybe any graphic design position has lulls between the fun designing part?
I just want to be challenged and do what I love to do! Which is to create awesome, polished, impressive work!
My questions aren't presented very well-- so thanks to anyone who makes an attempt at responding!
Long story: I apologize in advance.
I was hired at an engineering firm for a graphics/publishing position. Although the firm has an in-house marketing group, I was hired to work exclusively with one practice area because of their heavy workload. It started out good and I ultimately widened my skill-base with new software and production experience and I have enjoyed working on a lot of different, interesting projects. Now, I am fully capable and experienced with all types of layout and design projects: anything from formatting hundred-page documents to creating presentation backgrounds, logos, handouts, and doing expert photo manipulation, and animated graphics. You name it! I have also recently received a nice level of success with my personal artwork at a local gallery.
The trouble: the group I was hired on to went through many changes over the last ten years; my position in the group ended when the person who became my supervisor had a major temper blow-out and dictated that any artistic layout/production documents done for the group were to be done with word processing software. That was the last straw for me! But luckily, instead of quitting my job completely, I was able to transfer to another group within the company because that group's manager had wanted me to work with them. Good move- I had a ton of new, exciting work- it was good.
Unfortunately, the head of this new group, is no longer the manager as of the first of the year. That in itself is not a huge problem, but there have been issues managing the workload in the group, and for the last month, the design work that I have had to do in the group has gone from an extreme backlog to none- so in place of graphic design, I have been doing writing, copy-editing projects, etc. And I am afraid that the new group manager already has a view of me as a glorified secretary or proofreader. *sigh*
I have a bad feeling that I've gone as far as I can with my abilities in an engineering firm. Now that I've helped them with their backlog of design work, I'm not sure how often I will have projects that require the level of artistic design that I want to do. However, because of my tenure with the firm and the company's stability, I hate to jump ship--especially in this economy. I also realize that based on my location in the midwest, I may have elevated my skills past any alternate available position/better salary. [no, I do not want to relocate.]
Since I do have a stable job with considerable tenure, do I suck it up and put up with doing other tasks since I know I will still have more artisticly-inclined projects from time to time? Or do I have I really hit a plateau here? But what options do I have...? I will be miserable if I keep doing copy-editing and stuff like that, but realistically, I'm not sure how much time is spent doing actual artistic design at other businesses with similar positions (ad agencies, for example). Do I just have a bad case of "the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence"? Maybe any graphic design position has lulls between the fun designing part?
I just want to be challenged and do what I love to do! Which is to create awesome, polished, impressive work!
My questions aren't presented very well-- so thanks to anyone who makes an attempt at responding!
Best answer: It depends on each business. My work goes in spurts - I'll do design for a while, then I'll have to work on our layout system for a while, then I'll end up managing ad traffic, proofreading, etc. By "a while, I can mean anywhere from a day to a couple of months.
My advice would be to hang on to what you have, and don't jump to another job for the sake of jumping. When you do leave for another job, make sure it's something you feel good about. Jobs, particularly in design, are scarce these days. You're also picking up a lot of things that you can put on a resume. As designers will be expected to take on many new responsibilities at a lot of companies, that's a good thing.
posted by azpenguin at 1:23 PM on January 4, 2010
My advice would be to hang on to what you have, and don't jump to another job for the sake of jumping. When you do leave for another job, make sure it's something you feel good about. Jobs, particularly in design, are scarce these days. You're also picking up a lot of things that you can put on a resume. As designers will be expected to take on many new responsibilities at a lot of companies, that's a good thing.
posted by azpenguin at 1:23 PM on January 4, 2010
My mom is a graphic designer for an RV parts manufacturer. For every day that she spends doing package design or taking cool photos, she spends three weeks or more laying out a dull, information dense catalog (we're talking 73 types of valves, etc). And she has to do a lot of wrangling of various legal requirements of things to put on chemical packaging, getting stuff translated for foreign markets, trying to get people to explain what the hell a particular part does so she can write a blurb for it, etc. She barely gets to do any really 'fun' stuff at all.
(However, when she worked for a department store years ago, she got to do a whole lot of graphics stuff.)
posted by showbiz_liz at 1:59 PM on January 4, 2010
(However, when she worked for a department store years ago, she got to do a whole lot of graphics stuff.)
posted by showbiz_liz at 1:59 PM on January 4, 2010
I think any "design" job you'll find will be similar to the one you have now, especially in smaller markets. If a company isn't contracting out the design work the in-house designer will have other duties to flesh out the position to full time.
If nothing else now is the time to grow a list of supplemental skills that will make you more attractive to other employers. In my particular instance I've had to fall back on video editing skills after being hired as a web developer.
posted by asterisk at 3:00 PM on January 4, 2010
If nothing else now is the time to grow a list of supplemental skills that will make you more attractive to other employers. In my particular instance I've had to fall back on video editing skills after being hired as a web developer.
posted by asterisk at 3:00 PM on January 4, 2010
Yup, this is it.
posted by june made him a gemini at 4:37 PM on January 4, 2010
posted by june made him a gemini at 4:37 PM on January 4, 2010
Best answer: For what it's worth, it literally doesn't matter what the various jobs are. Suffice it to say that you're stuck doing something that isn't your passion and you don't want to rock the boat. Obviously you're feeling a bit stuck in a rut and are wondering whether it's worth the trouble to haul yourself out.
My first suggestion, talk to your new immediate manager. IF you think they've not been properly informed of your skillset, it's totally on you to fill your manager in. It's not anything bad and it doesn't have to be anything stressful. Remember you're not lying or in trouble or on the fence having to defend your job...it's totally okay to simply say, "hey, I know things have been a little slow around here so we're all pitching in here and there, I just wanted to let you know that when the work comes in for it, I actually am supposed to be a graphic designer." and show your manager some of your work.
If that sort of thing doesn't seem likely to happen (by which I mean either positively informing your manager, or new design work coming in) then it's time to start looking for a new job.
posted by carlh at 4:38 PM on January 4, 2010
My first suggestion, talk to your new immediate manager. IF you think they've not been properly informed of your skillset, it's totally on you to fill your manager in. It's not anything bad and it doesn't have to be anything stressful. Remember you're not lying or in trouble or on the fence having to defend your job...it's totally okay to simply say, "hey, I know things have been a little slow around here so we're all pitching in here and there, I just wanted to let you know that when the work comes in for it, I actually am supposed to be a graphic designer." and show your manager some of your work.
If that sort of thing doesn't seem likely to happen (by which I mean either positively informing your manager, or new design work coming in) then it's time to start looking for a new job.
posted by carlh at 4:38 PM on January 4, 2010
I've been a designer for almost 15 years and most of the time I'm doing jobs that aren't fun in and of themselves, but I have a pragmatic attitude about it. I derive tremendous satisfaction from the challenge of making even the most mundane project look good... or at least as good as it can look given the limits of time, budget, client taste, appropriateness for the market, etc. The everyday projects also serve to make the fun ones all the sweeter.
I realize that this isn't you, but there's an impression in the outside, non-designer world that all we do all day is sit around drawing and painting and reading magazines for inspiration and generally skipping around in a world of lollipops and rainbows, and nothing could be further from the truth. The graphic design field isn't digging ditches, thank goodness, but it's still work to figure out how to wedge another two lines of copy on an already-full ad page without making it look like total crap.
In this economy, you should be glad to have a job, much less one you like and can occasionally have fun.
posted by MegoSteve at 5:15 PM on January 4, 2010
I realize that this isn't you, but there's an impression in the outside, non-designer world that all we do all day is sit around drawing and painting and reading magazines for inspiration and generally skipping around in a world of lollipops and rainbows, and nothing could be further from the truth. The graphic design field isn't digging ditches, thank goodness, but it's still work to figure out how to wedge another two lines of copy on an already-full ad page without making it look like total crap.
In this economy, you should be glad to have a job, much less one you like and can occasionally have fun.
posted by MegoSteve at 5:15 PM on January 4, 2010
Best answer: I'm a graphic designer, also in the midwest and also in your salary range. And I've been though a variety of jobs over the years in a few different industries. Based on the information you've given us, I feel that something may have gone wrong with your role in this company and that perhaps it's time you start casually looking for something more fulfilling.
No, in-house graphic design is not always fun. It hardly ever is. Yes, it involves editing and a lot of tedious work that isn't necessary artistry. That said, it sounds to me like right now you are doing strictly writing, editing and administrative work and no graphics at all. It sounds like they are using designs you pre-built or someone else on your team is sliding into your role. Either way, it makes me think that you're no longer useful to the company as a designer and at some point soon, someone is going to look at your job description and make a change - it could be good, bad or not affect you at all, but something will have to change because you don't see many proofreaders with the title of "graphic designer."
You've got the experience. You've got an existing job. Just keep an eye on the job sites and see if something stands out as particularly interesting or something you want to do. You don't need to immediately quit and throw away what you have. There's nothing wrong with keeping your job and taking an afternoon off here and there to interview with places that interest you. Even a lateral move at this point could make you a happier person. Depending on how much experience you have and whether you've been in any leadership roles, you could look for a job that involves managing an in-house art department, which could provide you with a slight pay raise. You could also look into gaining web experience and find something that combines print and web, like many in-house design jobs do.
I think you'll be surprised by the opportunities. In my small midwestern town, there are still a steady stream of graphics jobs popping up. I was lucky to get a new job right at the time that the economy seemed to be hitting bottom. I think that a lot of companies are dropping their expensive agencies and putting that money towards a designer that they can have on site. Oh, and FWIW, I've worked at agencies too, but I'll always go back to in-house jobs because I feel more appreciated, am more invested in my work and there is always a huge variety of things that need to get done.
So, in summary - yes, there may be a little "grass is greener" going on here, but it also sounds to me like you could use a change of scenery. And yes, you're lucky to have a job in this economy, but there is nothing wrong with holding on to that job while you look for something that could be better. Good luck!
posted by bristolcat at 6:55 PM on January 4, 2010
No, in-house graphic design is not always fun. It hardly ever is. Yes, it involves editing and a lot of tedious work that isn't necessary artistry. That said, it sounds to me like right now you are doing strictly writing, editing and administrative work and no graphics at all. It sounds like they are using designs you pre-built or someone else on your team is sliding into your role. Either way, it makes me think that you're no longer useful to the company as a designer and at some point soon, someone is going to look at your job description and make a change - it could be good, bad or not affect you at all, but something will have to change because you don't see many proofreaders with the title of "graphic designer."
You've got the experience. You've got an existing job. Just keep an eye on the job sites and see if something stands out as particularly interesting or something you want to do. You don't need to immediately quit and throw away what you have. There's nothing wrong with keeping your job and taking an afternoon off here and there to interview with places that interest you. Even a lateral move at this point could make you a happier person. Depending on how much experience you have and whether you've been in any leadership roles, you could look for a job that involves managing an in-house art department, which could provide you with a slight pay raise. You could also look into gaining web experience and find something that combines print and web, like many in-house design jobs do.
I think you'll be surprised by the opportunities. In my small midwestern town, there are still a steady stream of graphics jobs popping up. I was lucky to get a new job right at the time that the economy seemed to be hitting bottom. I think that a lot of companies are dropping their expensive agencies and putting that money towards a designer that they can have on site. Oh, and FWIW, I've worked at agencies too, but I'll always go back to in-house jobs because I feel more appreciated, am more invested in my work and there is always a huge variety of things that need to get done.
So, in summary - yes, there may be a little "grass is greener" going on here, but it also sounds to me like you could use a change of scenery. And yes, you're lucky to have a job in this economy, but there is nothing wrong with holding on to that job while you look for something that could be better. Good luck!
posted by bristolcat at 6:55 PM on January 4, 2010
The following advice comes from the fingertips of a young shiny new BFA holder, with only limited career experience so take it as you will.
The term "graphic artist" is many years out of date. You may be a fine artist on your own time, but aside from working with aesthetics, design work has as much to do with art as a car mechanic does with mechanical engineering.
The job title that is in vogue is Visual Communications Designer. Employers want someone that can logically organize visual information (though they never appreciate it), communicate ideas in writing and graphics, craft and carry a consistent marketing narrative, design jobs within a budget, dance while caring a tune, and then do all of that again on "the web". And hey can you "do a tweet?"
Yes, graphic design is often treated as a non-professional career, partly because of "hey I can use word art in MS Office too!" and because it is something visual. Everyone has eyes, and forms opinions on styles. Whats more, graphic design surrounds people without them knowing it, so it is rarely appreciated as it should be. I support the removal of the term "artist" from this profession for these reasons.
You may have a difficult time applying to design shops or ad agencies. In house work is different and (sorry) often though of as "lesser". Of course, a bangin' portfolio can open many doors.
My advice to you is why not try freelancing? Keep your day job, but by night hunt craigslist for odd design jobs. Most of them are for crummy pay, but if you're looking for designer/artist satisfaction it can be lots of fun designing a T-shirt for a rapper, beer label for Joe Homebrewer, Logo for rich housewife turned real estate agent, etc. If your connections and networks as a freelancer grow you can turn it into a full time thing, if not you've at least expanded your portfolio for your regular job hunt.
posted by fontophilic at 9:01 PM on January 4, 2010 [1 favorite]
The term "graphic artist" is many years out of date. You may be a fine artist on your own time, but aside from working with aesthetics, design work has as much to do with art as a car mechanic does with mechanical engineering.
The job title that is in vogue is Visual Communications Designer. Employers want someone that can logically organize visual information (though they never appreciate it), communicate ideas in writing and graphics, craft and carry a consistent marketing narrative, design jobs within a budget, dance while caring a tune, and then do all of that again on "the web". And hey can you "do a tweet?"
Yes, graphic design is often treated as a non-professional career, partly because of "hey I can use word art in MS Office too!" and because it is something visual. Everyone has eyes, and forms opinions on styles. Whats more, graphic design surrounds people without them knowing it, so it is rarely appreciated as it should be. I support the removal of the term "artist" from this profession for these reasons.
You may have a difficult time applying to design shops or ad agencies. In house work is different and (sorry) often though of as "lesser". Of course, a bangin' portfolio can open many doors.
My advice to you is why not try freelancing? Keep your day job, but by night hunt craigslist for odd design jobs. Most of them are for crummy pay, but if you're looking for designer/artist satisfaction it can be lots of fun designing a T-shirt for a rapper, beer label for Joe Homebrewer, Logo for rich housewife turned real estate agent, etc. If your connections and networks as a freelancer grow you can turn it into a full time thing, if not you've at least expanded your portfolio for your regular job hunt.
posted by fontophilic at 9:01 PM on January 4, 2010 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Thanks for the great answers! Obviously, I have done this line of work long enough to know that it isn't always about doing the fun, creative stuff. But because I ended up in this career after kind of a winding path, I have often wondered if others in my line of work have the same (or very similar experiences). From the answers so far, it sounds like where I'm at is not too far off-base, BUT because of many changes at the company, it would not hurt for me to take a look at other opportunities at the same time.
(Bristolcat was right! They are often reusing designs I've prebuilt, and there are other people in the company that do what I do: I need to make damn sure I'm not getting used to fill ten different roles, just because I can do the work, or worse- phased out of graphics work altogether.)
posted by Eicats at 3:33 PM on January 5, 2010
(Bristolcat was right! They are often reusing designs I've prebuilt, and there are other people in the company that do what I do: I need to make damn sure I'm not getting used to fill ten different roles, just because I can do the work, or worse- phased out of graphics work altogether.)
posted by Eicats at 3:33 PM on January 5, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Eicats at 1:15 PM on January 4, 2010