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Topic: Working in islolation
| Author | Message |
| cstock21 | Posted – 2/25/2008 4:33:53 PM | show profile | email poster Just wondering how other gd's feel about their working conditions. I sit alone with my computer for roughly 81/2 hours a day. There is very little interaction. It is totally lonely and I can't stay motivated. I am basically miserable Is this typical for all gd's or do some of you have different circumstances. Would love to know. Thanks. Cstock21 |
| cabaraba | Posted – 2/26/2008 3:31:42 PM | show profile Working as part of a design team has really been a benefit to me. It is inspiring to at least collaborate with one other designer, or even to get feedback. I have had jobs in the past where I worked alone, and rarely had revision. But what did that ever do for me? Nothing! You must allow yourself to grow. Working in a vacuum is never fresh. Do you freelance? Does your work route to anyone else? You must have some interaction for revision. But then it sounds like whoever looks at your work is NOT even a real art director or designer. And we all know how much that pains us?being some one else's wrist! I say GET OUT! You will only benefit yourself if you work somewhere where you can talk about design, share ideas, and collaborate with other professionals. Good pay and other comforts may keep you there, but I have learned that you never get ahead unless you take some risks. |
| cstock21 | Posted – 2/26/2008 4:14:53 PM | show profile working in islolation Thanks cabaraba for your input and that is pretty much what I am thinking-gotta go. Yes, the people who approve my work are not designers so I am always working in a vacuum and frankly it really isn't even high end work that I do. Much of is illustrating business concepts in PPT and the like or applying exisiting branding to a Flash module of trade manual. So it kind of stinks that I don't have that super strong portfolio that ones gets from working at an ad agency. I guess my portfolio is okay, but I don't think I have knockout pieces and it is not going to blow anyone away. I am thinking about seeing if I can cut back here to 4 days a week and try to get a one day gig at an ad agency. Even if it means a pay cut. What is getting most important to me is not to get into another situation where one sits alone at a computer all day. It wears me out. Interaction energized me. I'm not sure I am cut out to be a graphic designer because of this problem. THanks for listiening. cstock |
| anonymousdesigner | Posted – 2/26/2008 5:06:31 PM | show profile | email poster In the same boat I know exactly how you feel as I am really nothing more than a production person here. The company is owned by a married couple and the wife has even tried to dictate to me how to lay out documents and displays in spite of her lack of design education or experience. I am told that design is not "science" but merely asthetics and I cannot make them see the science behind sound graphic design principle, ie, that the eye can be led from 1 element to the next with good layout. They simply won't listen. I really miss collaborating with other designers. My advice is to get out asap as I'm trying to do here. Keep us posted, OK? |
