Graphic Designers? What has been your experience??

Question

I'm a graphic designer in the Midwest (Indiana) and wondered where fellow graphic designers where located. What has been your experiences? Where are you located? What do you enjoy/hate about this field??

I'm coming up on my 2nd year with my first professional position as a G.D. and don't see opportunities for advancement where I'm at. What's the best advice? Should I just stick it out for another year to have more experience or is 2 years enough to advance in terms of title & salary? Does anyone know about what to expect as your salary as a graphic designer with a company (no freelance estimates please).

Thanks!

Answer 1

Is a move to a major metropolitan area a possibility?
I have been working in the field as a GD and an Art Director for over 15 years. I have been based in the New York City area. And have been steadily employed.
If you are only 2 years out of art school and are looking to advance your career - this might be a good time to consider a move.
What area have you been working in?
Smaller companies often offer more room for advancement. As well as the opty to learn more, and wear many hats.
Larger corporations tend to have more strict "rules" when it comes to titles and responsibilites.
Seek out some of the associations for rates aplicable to your area of the country and your level of experience.
In NY there is the Freelancers Union, Media Bistro, Aquent to offer a few examples of where to find more information.
If you are able to differentiate between constructive criticism of your work, and know that it is not a reflection of you personally, that will help you emensely over the course of your career.
If you love the arts, and the chance to be creative. Stick with it.
Seek out a mentor, if you haven't already.
Also know you can switch it up as to where you work. i.e., been in publishing, consider changing to another venue, marketing, packaging, etc.... You get the idea. Think about what will challenge you.

Answer 2

Cheers, I'm a graphic designer in Iowa. I've been in the business for 7 years. I enjoy never knowing what's next and seeing the completed projects or dining at a restaurant you designed the logo for. I hate the proofing and revision process and dealing with clients with little computer skills, ie. "Can't you just use the logo from Word?".

You are better to just stick it out. Are you burned out? If so maybe design isn't the right choice for you after only 2 years. I asked Art Chantry (design legend) if he gets burned out,his reply "for the last 20 years". A starting salary in the midwest is probably around 24-30k. Hope this helps.

Answer 3

I graduated as a GD in South America and I am currently working in Florida for lack of opportunities in my home country and I find that we face the same difficulties all around the world from part of the clients: Lack of visual culture, the belief that we just have to push a couple of buttons on Illustrator to finish something and that creativity comes instantaneously out of nowhere. It's more like Jack London said: “You can't wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club.”

But every now and then you finish a wonderful piece that makes it all worthwhile.

How much experience is necessary to leave your current position? I'd say it is irrelevant. What is important is knowledge of the technical issues and having a cracking portfolio. In regards to salary, like in any other profession it depends on the region and the company you work for. In a place like South Florida you are lucky if you make 70k / year for the reasons stated above.

Answer 4

There are a myriad of different kinds of G.D. jobs. And frankly, you'll have more fun as a designer at smaller venues (generally speaking). Working for the big guns may have its perks, but freedom in design won't be one of them (again, generally speaking).

I do design and marketing for a small missions non-profit ( http://www.mdat.org ) and really enjoy it. Working for a non-profit has its quirks too, but I can't see myself enjoying most design jobs other than the kind which I have now.

One exception may be http://www.ArchRival.com — Some really innovative designers and not a huge company. I don't know how it is now, but they used to work REALLY long hours . . .

Answer 5

Congratulations on your first job - such potential. You seem very competent with the tools of your trade now comes the difficult bit. Clients and how to handle them... selling your ideas...