Reply With QuoteDo you have any other interests? I'd say most people follow what they want to do if they don't like what they are doing at the moment...
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I've been a graphic designer for the past 6 years and have decided to look at a career change.
How does one go about finding a different career path that they may like? Go back to school? I'm totally lost...
Do you have any other interests? I'd say most people follow what they want to do if they don't like what they are doing at the moment...
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I am just curious, doesnt graphic designing earn you enough? They get good pay AFAIK. Did you get bored?Originally Posted by 150dpi
School should definitely be the first option when it comes to career change, because education (certifications or diploma) you wont be able to change your path.
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web and application development.
Uhhh, most graphic designers get paid pretty mediocre $. My sis studied "graphic design". She's now taking accounting courses cause money is crap and the only other incentive is if you are passionate for it. Once the passion dies I can see how someone would want to gtfo. Kind of like video game programming.....most people that do it don't do it for the $
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You are right, but some people even make 100K or even more than that, if you are an expert in flash or photoshop (graphics) work. Again, it all depends on whether you are enjoying what you are doing. If not, then move forward
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Not many people make that kinda cob being a designer/implimenter. There was a HUGE gush of programs a few years back, and as a result there is a glut of such talented people.
There's always career counseling, which costs money. I think some people here have done it, maybe someone will chime in.
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????your the only one who can make this decision, but since you asked health care.
To get that kind of money you need to be working for an amazing ad agency or similar and have a killer portfolio. Most graphic designers will make between 30-50k, and deservedly. And i disagree with the guy above that there are a glut of "talented" people, unless by talented you mean they have a basic understanding of common graphic design programs. Most graphic designers these days are ****. Like, absolute trash. You just need to look at 90% of magazine ads or product packaging to realise that. The problem is, generally the people hiring have no idea what qualifies as good design. Not to mention most graphic designers these days are also expected to be typesetters, layup men and web designers at the same time, and its incredibly hard to find a hiring manager who can spot **** typography, layup or web design.
Combine the facts that most designers are ****, and that you can outsource design work to developing countries for like, $1-$10 per graphic (compared to, if youre paying hourly, $20-$200 per graphic), there isnt as much demand as there was even 10 years ago. The top earner spots are mostly filled, and the turn over is low because anyone who gets paid 100k a year to make graphics and do layup knows their lucky as hell.
Hell, i heard even national post is outsourcing their graphic work these days. I have a couple friends who work over there now, and their department has been cut in half and theyre basically relegated to quick pre-press edits. Any new creation is being sent to the phillipines. And nation post was pretty respected in the canadian industry, and they were considered to have paid well, and they still top out around 50k a year.
As for the OP's question, id say your best bet is to just look around for other jobs. Unless you need to go back to school to acquire some skills, you already have a degree and thats 90% of any hiring process at any company, along with practical work experience. Unless youre looking to switch into, lets say, electrical engineering or computer science or something like that where you dont have the skills you need now, just look around for jobs you might find interesting and apply. Going back to school to get another degree is basically just a waste of time and money in most cases.
Finding the career for YOU starts by looking in the mirror.
There are a number of books out there that can help you match your personality with a suitable career.
That's more or less what career counselors do.
They do a lot of personality tests. From there you're given a number of suitable options. Take those options and hold them up to the current state of the economy - which one is "in demand" and which one is "dime a dozen, cut throat, undercutting, no job security, I don't know if I can make enough doing that to pay rent, etc".
Good luck finding the former kind
This economy is in the poop. Life isn't what it was like for our parents. But the least you can do is find something you actually love doing, life's too short. Good luck.
The unexamined life is not worth living -
Socrates, in Plato, Dialogues, Apology
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If you have a university diploma, that's all you need - don't go back to school.
Obviously you won't become a doctor or lawyer, but for anything "business" related, you should good.
MBA programs or certificate equivalents are for lazy people or for those that think it'll be the "easier" way to the top, which is BS.
Networking with people is the way to go, but most importantly, decide a direction you want to go in, prior to.
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Thanks for all the replies. I guess the hard part now is just to realize what I like doing.
To people who are curious about how much designers make. I personally make between 55k to 62k a year. Depending on the amount of freelance I can do on the side. I know of other designers who make less then 40k and some that make well over 100k in a top tier agency. But really, the money is not the issue here...
The following comic strip sums it up pretty much...
http://theoatmeal.com/comics/design_hell
That's pretty funny.
I'm on the client side in the online team (and have worked on the agency side) and I get to see both sides on a daily basis as I work with the agencies and the internal marketing folk. The marketing feedback is mostly politically motivated...pleasing the right people..and so ultimately leads to a crappy end project. ("Make the logo bigger") On the flip side, some of the agency designers, project managers do absolutely C grade work. Why not choose another agency you say? because again...it's all politics.
I think I get where you're coming from though as I'm in the same boat...trying to find a job I enjoy more, even if it means sacrificing a few bucks.
Pursue a career in whatever makes you cry.. (or at least verklempt)
That's actually not bad coin for a graphic designer. Are you really sure you want to take the chance? Especially in this current job climate? I know you said $$ isn't the issue (and ideally, it isn't), but you might change your mind after taking a pay cut starting at the bottom rung of your new career.
Unless you want to become a cop.
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yeah first figure out what you like and you want to do or what you are interested in .
don't go after something that you are not interested in..
To Achive The Possible, We Must Attempt The Impossible.
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I feel you on that. Lack of respect/appreciation probably hurts more than any financial compensation. The worst thing is having to put up/please a client that has no idea what they're talking about but wants to tell you how to do your job.
It's not particular to your profession, it's EVERY service industry. People just suck.
The unexamined life is not worth living -
Socrates, in Plato, Dialogues, Apology
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Two words: porn-star
I hear it's a lucrative industry.
OR...look into a trade. Construction is pretty good right now. You may have to go back to school for this one, though.
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Funny you should say that, because I just came back from the York Region Police recruitment information session. lol. Very interesting...
Unless you want to become a cop.
Don't do it. Do not join the dark side.
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