Need some help...
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- Knuckleberry
I am gearing up to send out my resume as well as some sample shite to companies in the area in hopes of changing workplaces... where is the help needed you may ask.
Well... I currently work for a company that does "environmental graphics & branding" basically we design / build signage. Well design is a loose term... our CD designs we (5 other people) all project manage. I want to make the jump to another field within design but I feel a bit tainted having been at my job for 3 years now.
Here is my quandary... I don't want to be the "sign" guy at all. I would like to work for a firm, an in-house group or ad agency. I love me some print design but it seems to be dead in the job area lately.
Do you think there is a stigma placed on "sign" guys? Do you think the jump between fields is okay? I make about 65K, do you think it is a hinderance to finding a job in another field?
I ask you guys because I trust most of you. I know I will get the obligatory "F lol", "f candy" remarks. But I seriously want to know.
Sorry a bit wordy.
-Joshua
- __TM0
just jump..
but 65K to project manage sign boards, that's almost 4000euro a month, right?- 3,821 euros.Jnr_Madison
- ps, nice work __TMJnr_Madison
- cheers Jnr_Madiso__TM
- 3,821 euros is like the collective pay of all our junior designers__TM
- Knuckleberry0
_TM:
Yes its about $4000 (american)
I make good money but my heart and head are not in it. The problem also lies in the fact I have 2 kids and a wife to support so I can't just drop below that mark.
- lvl_130
well, i'm not really a print guy so i'm not sure i can adequately answer your question about being a "sign" guy...but here is an honest stab.
if you know what you are doing (as far as design goes) i'm not sure you should fret about being locked into the "sign guy" title. i do mostly interactive work (and as of late, a lot of banners!) but i would never consider myself a "banner guy".
i consider it more of an asset to a firm that i have the ability to design with flexibility and within constraint while still making it look good and function accordingly.not sure if that makes sense, but just make sure you don't go in with a "sign" guy attitude. you can, and are willing to adapt to anything the client throws at you. it's what you do. :)
good luck.
- __TM0
"do you think it is a hinderance to finding a job in another field?"
Just do it, you'll find out soon enough. Anyway, you'll have your folio to back up that you can do much more than signages.
- ukit0
Don't be the sign guy man
Don't be the fucking sign guy
- Knuckleberry0
Thanks you guys... I have given myself about 2 weeks to get everything sorted out and then I am going to send out shite like crazy.
- ukit0
I think others said it, it pretty much comes down to marketing yourself effectively. No one needs to know that all you did was project manage signage projects if you have some solid work that points in the direction you want to take your career. Add some freelance or self-initiated work if need be.
Now in terms of salary - 65k, jeez guys it's not that much is it? I earned almost that much less than a year into my first real job. Of course, it seems like there is more money in interactive than print as you said, unless you are working for a big agency.
- yeah, 65k is not much. but i guess that is based on overall experience. it took me at least 5-6 years to get to that honestly.lvl_13
- *considering relocating to the US as we speak*__TM
- let me tell you about our vacation time. 1 week. 1th year. then you get 2 weeks. 2th year. USA, USA. lol.akrokdesign
- I had 0 days the first year, 20 days from the second year onwards.__TM
- but TM, you running your own agency. right?akrokdesign
- nope, contracted by equus singapore as design director. must say that the pay is fine now__TM
- rock on! :-)akrokdesign
- akrokdesign0
hm. no idea what all other peeps do who thinks 65k is tiny. most employee do not even pay that. specially now.
yes, in new york. this would be at lower end. but this guy is on the west coast. o.c to be clear. and do not think pay in l.a is good.
also he in print.- it's not tiny. i'm only assuming he has several (ie. 4-8) years of work. but the west coast is the second most expensive place to live.lvl_13
- __TM0
for reference, I was paid less than 10k (euros) when I started working. The legal minimum pay for office jobs at that time (1995-6) :/
- akrokdesign0
i went to a mid-size agency, 60 people. i told them i wanted 60-70k. which would been very average amount. they told me 60k was their top. so, it was probably more like 50-60k.
- also know a agency in downtown l.a. 10 people size. they pay tops: 46k.akrokdesign
- NONEIS0
Plan to take a pay cut if it's your primary/only experience, it's not the sort that will transfer over and hold the same weight to an agency or design firm, but I say grin and bear it, it will be worth doing something that you love.
- dyspl0
mmmh, my salary is about the half of what your earn.. and as you say "my heart and head are not in it". there are only a few of us who can say they are 100% proud/happy with their daily jobs.
if I were you I would keep my job and start some personal project once at home.
And if you're good a what you do, there's no shame about being the "sign guy", it can leads you to some very interesting job.
- I mean, your job might not be worse than mine, or other qbners here, and you make good money. so...dyspl
- Knuckleberry0
Thanks for the added response everyone. It helps a lot.