Graphic design stuff
February 29, 2012 8:50 PM Subscribe
I think I'm going to try to make a living out of graphic design. But I'm experiencing a lot of anxiety over this decision and doubting my abilities to succeed in the field. And other stuff. Please talk to me.
I'm a New Yorker in her mid-twenties. I have an English degree and experience in illustration, photography, and writing in my arsenal. I apologize in advance for this question's disjointedness - my mind is doing the Kentucky Derby thing over this.
Scrambled egg post aside, I think my communication skills are pretty passable. I've got Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, HTML, CSS, MySQL, jQuery, and PHP down pat. I'm still studying up on theories and terminology, but I can honestly say I've enjoyed learning about color theory and typography. I've been doing some volunteer work to help build my portfolio, and it's becoming aesthetically appealing, technically correct, and marketable. I feel like I'm really getting this. Yay. So how can I stop being so on edge about this decision?
Since graduating and integrating myself into the real world, I've learned that I am a work-to-live type who would like to have a pleasant workday, accomplish something she can be proud of, and then wash her hands of it and go play some damn trivia at her favorite bar. My current job is all about writing. I like writing a lot. But I am too hard on myself about it and the pay sucks and the hours are too long and it takes up all my brain space. It's not a sustainable lifestyle for me, I think - I'd rather write in my free time and, you know, actually enjoy it.
So, anyway, I've learned a few things about myself over the past couple years. I would appreciate it if you could consider these things in the context of life as a graphic designer.
* The closest thing I have to a passion is photography. I'm The Camerawoman at all events and I take my camera and the nifty fifty with me everywhere. I think I have the skill to make a career of it, but not the drive; like writing, I'm afraid making it My Job will diminish my enjoyment and make it more of a chore. Plus, I live in New York. I am incredibly intimidated by the prospect of trying to make it as a photographer.
* Although I don't need to be in love with my career, I throw myself into things. I tend to get really wrapped up and put my all into what I'm doing; I don't allow myself to produce mediocre work and I judge myself harshly. (I am working on this with a therapist, though I'm not sure if it's more disorder or personality quirk.) For these reasons, I like the idea of having the room to be creative and innovate but having firm limits set by the client's parameters. Room to spread the wings, but not fly too far off, if that makes any sense. I'm not sure if this is really a plus or I'm just trying to spin it in a positive way.
* I would like to work 40 hours a week and make $50k a year. This seems to be very doable as a graphic designer.
* I need variety in my day in order to reach full happiness capacity. Working on different projects all the time seems pretty ideal. I also like how the designer's toolset is constantly evolving.
* I tend to get along very well with creative types and programmer types. Typing this out seems really silly, but this job seems to attract my kind of people. Of course there are a million factors involved in this sort of thing, but the likelihood of finding a work environment I like seems much larger.
* I'm a creative thinker with some creative skills, but I'm a lightweight artist (I minored in illustration and can hold my own, kind of). I like that I could "make art" while also utilizing the more analytical part of my brain and using what artsy skills I do have.
* I'm very concerned that I won't be able to compete with the crazy passionate people because I lack that passion. I don't know how to elaborate on this; I would be doing graphic design because I liked it well enough and it paid the bills and other practical reasons, not because the pen tool is my lifeblood.
* Am I making a mistake in pursuing this? Is there another job that sounds better suited for me?
Part of me is hoping passion will grow once I really dig deep into graphic design. A bigger part is just wanting to find contentment with it so I can move on and stop dwelling (which is irrational, and mostly stemming from the fear that I'll be mediocre/bad at it and hate it but be too deep to back out).
I think I'm basically asking if you graphic designer folk think I'm cut out for this. Alternatively, what am I cut out for? How can I stop being so anxious about doing design? I know I'm asking a lot in this question. Thanks so much if you read all that word vomit.
I'm a New Yorker in her mid-twenties. I have an English degree and experience in illustration, photography, and writing in my arsenal. I apologize in advance for this question's disjointedness - my mind is doing the Kentucky Derby thing over this.
Scrambled egg post aside, I think my communication skills are pretty passable. I've got Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, HTML, CSS, MySQL, jQuery, and PHP down pat. I'm still studying up on theories and terminology, but I can honestly say I've enjoyed learning about color theory and typography. I've been doing some volunteer work to help build my portfolio, and it's becoming aesthetically appealing, technically correct, and marketable. I feel like I'm really getting this. Yay. So how can I stop being so on edge about this decision?
Since graduating and integrating myself into the real world, I've learned that I am a work-to-live type who would like to have a pleasant workday, accomplish something she can be proud of, and then wash her hands of it and go play some damn trivia at her favorite bar. My current job is all about writing. I like writing a lot. But I am too hard on myself about it and the pay sucks and the hours are too long and it takes up all my brain space. It's not a sustainable lifestyle for me, I think - I'd rather write in my free time and, you know, actually enjoy it.
So, anyway, I've learned a few things about myself over the past couple years. I would appreciate it if you could consider these things in the context of life as a graphic designer.
* The closest thing I have to a passion is photography. I'm The Camerawoman at all events and I take my camera and the nifty fifty with me everywhere. I think I have the skill to make a career of it, but not the drive; like writing, I'm afraid making it My Job will diminish my enjoyment and make it more of a chore. Plus, I live in New York. I am incredibly intimidated by the prospect of trying to make it as a photographer.
* Although I don't need to be in love with my career, I throw myself into things. I tend to get really wrapped up and put my all into what I'm doing; I don't allow myself to produce mediocre work and I judge myself harshly. (I am working on this with a therapist, though I'm not sure if it's more disorder or personality quirk.) For these reasons, I like the idea of having the room to be creative and innovate but having firm limits set by the client's parameters. Room to spread the wings, but not fly too far off, if that makes any sense. I'm not sure if this is really a plus or I'm just trying to spin it in a positive way.
* I would like to work 40 hours a week and make $50k a year. This seems to be very doable as a graphic designer.
* I need variety in my day in order to reach full happiness capacity. Working on different projects all the time seems pretty ideal. I also like how the designer's toolset is constantly evolving.
* I tend to get along very well with creative types and programmer types. Typing this out seems really silly, but this job seems to attract my kind of people. Of course there are a million factors involved in this sort of thing, but the likelihood of finding a work environment I like seems much larger.
* I'm a creative thinker with some creative skills, but I'm a lightweight artist (I minored in illustration and can hold my own, kind of). I like that I could "make art" while also utilizing the more analytical part of my brain and using what artsy skills I do have.
* I'm very concerned that I won't be able to compete with the crazy passionate people because I lack that passion. I don't know how to elaborate on this; I would be doing graphic design because I liked it well enough and it paid the bills and other practical reasons, not because the pen tool is my lifeblood.
* Am I making a mistake in pursuing this? Is there another job that sounds better suited for me?
Part of me is hoping passion will grow once I really dig deep into graphic design. A bigger part is just wanting to find contentment with it so I can move on and stop dwelling (which is irrational, and mostly stemming from the fear that I'll be mediocre/bad at it and hate it but be too deep to back out).
I think I'm basically asking if you graphic designer folk think I'm cut out for this. Alternatively, what am I cut out for? How can I stop being so anxious about doing design? I know I'm asking a lot in this question. Thanks so much if you read all that word vomit.
Do you have editing/pm experience? I offer editing and design services for those very same bread-and-butter projects like proposals, training materials, and white papers. Believe me -- the combined ability to write/edit/design/pm is much more rare than you'd think.
posted by mochapickle at 9:20 PM on February 29, 2012
posted by mochapickle at 9:20 PM on February 29, 2012
"Passion" is often shorthand in ads for "we want you to work insane hours at a low rate without complaining" so don't aspire to it.
I am a graphic designer considerably older than you. I am going to be scary here: graphic design as a business has been deeply undermined by technology and its value as a set of job skills is on the skids, especially as trade schools and design schools are turning out hundreds of new ones every year.
You can still make a living at graphic design if you've got good chops and can find a nice little niche somewhere but it is not a stable situation and I advise you, while you are young, to expand your knowledge and skills into other areas.
posted by zadcat at 9:55 PM on February 29, 2012 [2 favorites]
I am a graphic designer considerably older than you. I am going to be scary here: graphic design as a business has been deeply undermined by technology and its value as a set of job skills is on the skids, especially as trade schools and design schools are turning out hundreds of new ones every year.
You can still make a living at graphic design if you've got good chops and can find a nice little niche somewhere but it is not a stable situation and I advise you, while you are young, to expand your knowledge and skills into other areas.
posted by zadcat at 9:55 PM on February 29, 2012 [2 favorites]
I have the same skillset as mochapickle. Like you, I started primarily as a writer (and editor) and made the transition to design work. I ran my own business for a few years offering the whole gamut of communications services. I am now an in-house graphic designer for a big non-profit.
A few things: when I was writing 80% of the time and just doing a little design, I would obsess and agonize over the writing, and look forward to the design as time when I could be creative and have fun. Now that I design full time, I obsess an agonize over the design, and have transferred all my insecurities over quite tidily.
I also like a lot of variety in my work, and personally don't find all design all the time to be very much variety. Actually doing jobs for other people all day isn't the same as being creative on your own. A substantial portion of my work is putting together publications, which is quite repetitive design-wise and can be tedious. I also get to do a lot of fairly creative work, but again, working to someone else's specs can sometimes be a trial.
As for passion, I think it probably helps, but I don't know if it's absolutely necessary unless you want to be a hotshot working in a well-known design firm. You probably won't get hired by Pentagram to break new ground, but there is a lot of workaday design that needs to be done by in-house designers who can work reliably and efficiently.
Having said all that, I have a permanent job that pays almost twice what you are looking for, and offers a pension and benefits. This isn't the norm, but it does exist.
posted by looli at 10:13 PM on February 29, 2012
A few things: when I was writing 80% of the time and just doing a little design, I would obsess and agonize over the writing, and look forward to the design as time when I could be creative and have fun. Now that I design full time, I obsess an agonize over the design, and have transferred all my insecurities over quite tidily.
I also like a lot of variety in my work, and personally don't find all design all the time to be very much variety. Actually doing jobs for other people all day isn't the same as being creative on your own. A substantial portion of my work is putting together publications, which is quite repetitive design-wise and can be tedious. I also get to do a lot of fairly creative work, but again, working to someone else's specs can sometimes be a trial.
As for passion, I think it probably helps, but I don't know if it's absolutely necessary unless you want to be a hotshot working in a well-known design firm. You probably won't get hired by Pentagram to break new ground, but there is a lot of workaday design that needs to be done by in-house designers who can work reliably and efficiently.
Having said all that, I have a permanent job that pays almost twice what you are looking for, and offers a pension and benefits. This isn't the norm, but it does exist.
posted by looli at 10:13 PM on February 29, 2012
Alright, I work as an Art Director for an interactive agency out of San Francisco (we've got a good size NY office too). A couple things after being in the field for a bit.
- Graphic designers are not the traditional communication artist today that they historically have been. While there are people out there who stick to the formal mediums associated with communication arts (print, packaging etc) the real opportunities to solve genuinely interesting problems lie in applying your design sense and problem solving (the creative process) to areas that include but are not limited to how people interface with electronics, business strategy, physical spaces etc.
- There are always better "designers" then you out there. There's two generic stereotypes of design professionals in my experience. There's the absurdly talented fine artists who needed to make a living, which are the people you may be referring to as "crazy passionate people." They are craftsmen and they live to create beautiful, well considered, visual solutions. Then there is the other side who are these whip smart individuals, who thrive thinking strategically across many avenues rather then that of just "craft." You're rarely one or the other, but a combo of both in some way. Don't let either get you down, they're both needed and can work amazing results together.
- Formal design can be taught, good taste cannot. What I mean is that anyone can learn the fundamental principles of layout typography etc, but it's having good taste will allow you to use them and keep you employed.
- You spend a lot of time at your computer. Make no mistake, most design jobs are not a cush 9-5 day in and day out. While not a total grind everyday, there are occasional spikes or needed deadlines that you will find yourself on an unbelievably long day. Think over 24 hours. Often times college design programs have already put their students through this kind of pain, so sleep deprived productivity is already a fine tuned skill even at junior levels.
- Digital/interactive design is the wild west of graphic design. It changes at the speed at which we create and expand technology that we all use everyday. Don't short change yourself by thinking print is god. There's plenty of people who can make a beautiful package or poster, we've all seen it. Figuring out the future of how people interface with their washing machine, integrate technology into their vehicles or share knowledge and culture with people who speak other languages in other places, these are real design opportunities. Design academia is slowing changing their curriculum to reflect this.
Above all, have fun.
posted by straight_razor at 11:22 PM on February 29, 2012 [1 favorite]
- Graphic designers are not the traditional communication artist today that they historically have been. While there are people out there who stick to the formal mediums associated with communication arts (print, packaging etc) the real opportunities to solve genuinely interesting problems lie in applying your design sense and problem solving (the creative process) to areas that include but are not limited to how people interface with electronics, business strategy, physical spaces etc.
- There are always better "designers" then you out there. There's two generic stereotypes of design professionals in my experience. There's the absurdly talented fine artists who needed to make a living, which are the people you may be referring to as "crazy passionate people." They are craftsmen and they live to create beautiful, well considered, visual solutions. Then there is the other side who are these whip smart individuals, who thrive thinking strategically across many avenues rather then that of just "craft." You're rarely one or the other, but a combo of both in some way. Don't let either get you down, they're both needed and can work amazing results together.
- Formal design can be taught, good taste cannot. What I mean is that anyone can learn the fundamental principles of layout typography etc, but it's having good taste will allow you to use them and keep you employed.
- You spend a lot of time at your computer. Make no mistake, most design jobs are not a cush 9-5 day in and day out. While not a total grind everyday, there are occasional spikes or needed deadlines that you will find yourself on an unbelievably long day. Think over 24 hours. Often times college design programs have already put their students through this kind of pain, so sleep deprived productivity is already a fine tuned skill even at junior levels.
- Digital/interactive design is the wild west of graphic design. It changes at the speed at which we create and expand technology that we all use everyday. Don't short change yourself by thinking print is god. There's plenty of people who can make a beautiful package or poster, we've all seen it. Figuring out the future of how people interface with their washing machine, integrate technology into their vehicles or share knowledge and culture with people who speak other languages in other places, these are real design opportunities. Design academia is slowing changing their curriculum to reflect this.
Above all, have fun.
posted by straight_razor at 11:22 PM on February 29, 2012 [1 favorite]
Jim Coudal has a frame of reference for you.
posted by quadog at 11:33 PM on February 29, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by quadog at 11:33 PM on February 29, 2012 [1 favorite]
Does anyone who's a professional writer actually enjoy it? Most people I know who write for a living enjoy having written.
I wonder if you're idealizing the graphic process because you think that you won't carry over the same nit-picking mindset that you use while writing? Being on time and on budget usually matters more than being perfect.
posted by Ideefixe at 8:00 AM on March 1, 2012
I wonder if you're idealizing the graphic process because you think that you won't carry over the same nit-picking mindset that you use while writing? Being on time and on budget usually matters more than being perfect.
posted by Ideefixe at 8:00 AM on March 1, 2012
As a designer and art director I don't see anything in your reasoning that makes me think you wouldn't be able to make it and be successful as a designer (of course the quality of your portfolio trumps all).
Graphic design is a very curious mix of right and left brain skills. In my experience, the kids who went to design school because they only liked to draw in high school were the first to wash out. They couldn't hack the technical grind of properly laying out a 26-page brochure. They were the passionate artists with a vision who couldn't deal with the fact that the client could insist on adding yellow to the cover art.
On the other hand there were the people who were computer jockeys and loved being in front of the screen for hours on end. Their problem was lack of creative thought. It's great that your 21-step Photoshop action worked perfectly but unfortunately it doesn't mean anything and looks like crap.
Passion can be over-rated. I have known designers who were so good. They would obsess for hours over the details but they took so long executing the work that it hurt the team and productivity.
I would echo what others have said that the industry is not booming. It can be tough to get in the door. The hours can be irregular especially at the start. There are way too many people graduating with graphic design degrees. Some are very talented, a lot suck. It can be a very repetitive job just depending on your clients and where you are working. It's definitely not all variety and amazing high-profile clients with money who will give you the freedom to do award winning work. Sometimes you produce stuff that is embarrassing but the client is always right.
I have known several people who have turned hobbies into careers and regretted the decision. They say turn what you love into your job and you will always love your job. Too simplistic. Sometimes doing that just sucks everything you loved right out of your hobby. If photography is something that nourishes your soul you may be right to protect it and keep it as something that is just for you.
I love my job, I'm happy to go to work in the morning, we have a great team and usually produce really cool stuff. I love the creativity and problem solving. But, at 6:00, I'm at home cooking dinner or playing with my daughter. You can find that kind of balance in the industry.
Feel free to MeMail if you have other question or want some feedback. Always glad to help someone along in the field.
posted by pixlboi at 8:52 AM on March 1, 2012 [2 favorites]
Graphic design is a very curious mix of right and left brain skills. In my experience, the kids who went to design school because they only liked to draw in high school were the first to wash out. They couldn't hack the technical grind of properly laying out a 26-page brochure. They were the passionate artists with a vision who couldn't deal with the fact that the client could insist on adding yellow to the cover art.
On the other hand there were the people who were computer jockeys and loved being in front of the screen for hours on end. Their problem was lack of creative thought. It's great that your 21-step Photoshop action worked perfectly but unfortunately it doesn't mean anything and looks like crap.
Passion can be over-rated. I have known designers who were so good. They would obsess for hours over the details but they took so long executing the work that it hurt the team and productivity.
I would echo what others have said that the industry is not booming. It can be tough to get in the door. The hours can be irregular especially at the start. There are way too many people graduating with graphic design degrees. Some are very talented, a lot suck. It can be a very repetitive job just depending on your clients and where you are working. It's definitely not all variety and amazing high-profile clients with money who will give you the freedom to do award winning work. Sometimes you produce stuff that is embarrassing but the client is always right.
I have known several people who have turned hobbies into careers and regretted the decision. They say turn what you love into your job and you will always love your job. Too simplistic. Sometimes doing that just sucks everything you loved right out of your hobby. If photography is something that nourishes your soul you may be right to protect it and keep it as something that is just for you.
I love my job, I'm happy to go to work in the morning, we have a great team and usually produce really cool stuff. I love the creativity and problem solving. But, at 6:00, I'm at home cooking dinner or playing with my daughter. You can find that kind of balance in the industry.
Feel free to MeMail if you have other question or want some feedback. Always glad to help someone along in the field.
posted by pixlboi at 8:52 AM on March 1, 2012 [2 favorites]
The thing that makes me think you'd be great for design is your perfectionism and constant comparing of yourself to other people - as crazy as it sounds, all the good designers I know have those qualities. Also, there's nothing wrong with just wanting to pay the bills - you can be good at what you do and not let it consume your life.
(My experience, YMMV) My advice is look for an in-house job for a company first, or maybe a gig at an agency/design firm. An in-house job is more likely to let you use a wider variety of skills so you don't get bored - you'll get a chance to write copy, do illustrations here and there, and probably a lot of basic layouts for collateral and stuff. However, there probably won't be a ton of variety in the types of projects you work on.
At an agency you'd get more variety in types of projects (probably, if it's a smaller company where you're not assigned to just one client) but they'll be more likely to assign writing and illustration to people who do that exclusively.
Whatever you do, don't freelance if you just want to pay the bills and go home at the end of the day.
posted by TallulahBankhead at 12:07 PM on March 1, 2012
(My experience, YMMV) My advice is look for an in-house job for a company first, or maybe a gig at an agency/design firm. An in-house job is more likely to let you use a wider variety of skills so you don't get bored - you'll get a chance to write copy, do illustrations here and there, and probably a lot of basic layouts for collateral and stuff. However, there probably won't be a ton of variety in the types of projects you work on.
At an agency you'd get more variety in types of projects (probably, if it's a smaller company where you're not assigned to just one client) but they'll be more likely to assign writing and illustration to people who do that exclusively.
Whatever you do, don't freelance if you just want to pay the bills and go home at the end of the day.
posted by TallulahBankhead at 12:07 PM on March 1, 2012
Since graduating and integrating myself into the real world, I've learned that I am a work-to-live type who would like to have a pleasant workday, accomplish something she can be proud of, and then wash her hands of it and go play some damn trivia at her favorite bar.
This is the exact opposite of my experience in my 13 years as a graphic designer. Freelancing/owning your own business is even worse because you can never stop thinking about work. Your skill set and detail-mindedness makes you a great candidate to become a designer but only I encourage people who are really passionate about it because of the aforementioned market saturation and hours.
Some in-house jobs may have more "normal" hours but there will always be crunch days/nights/weeks in design. A graphic design career is hard to break into these days and is not a guaranteed $50k/40 hour per week job. So if you love it, go for it. If you're just looking for something else to get out of your current job than I'm not sure the work/commitment is worth it for you.
posted by Bunglegirl at 9:32 AM on March 4, 2012
This is the exact opposite of my experience in my 13 years as a graphic designer. Freelancing/owning your own business is even worse because you can never stop thinking about work. Your skill set and detail-mindedness makes you a great candidate to become a designer but only I encourage people who are really passionate about it because of the aforementioned market saturation and hours.
Some in-house jobs may have more "normal" hours but there will always be crunch days/nights/weeks in design. A graphic design career is hard to break into these days and is not a guaranteed $50k/40 hour per week job. So if you love it, go for it. If you're just looking for something else to get out of your current job than I'm not sure the work/commitment is worth it for you.
posted by Bunglegirl at 9:32 AM on March 4, 2012
I don't know much about the graphic design field, since everyone I know with a degree in it seems to end up in minimum wage retail type jobs. The only exception I know of is a distant acquaintance on the east coast, who happens to be bloody brilliant at design work and seems to be doing quite well for herself career wise because of it. Since you're in NYC, you might have more luck than most people I've met. Big cities have more opportunities for things like that.
I would like to work 40 hours a week and make $50k a year. This seems to be very doable as a graphic designer.
It looks like AIGA has a salary calculator that may be of some use to you.
posted by Estraven at 9:04 PM on March 5, 2012
I would like to work 40 hours a week and make $50k a year. This seems to be very doable as a graphic designer.
It looks like AIGA has a salary calculator that may be of some use to you.
posted by Estraven at 9:04 PM on March 5, 2012
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by KateViolet at 9:03 PM on February 29, 2012 [1 favorite]