Is Design a Hobby or Career/Future Career?

iAmGen3ric · 14-09-2004, 05:05 PM

I was just curious to see where you guys stand. I've debated alot on whether I want to make a career out of design, or whether it is just a hobby that I will occasionally do for a little extra cash on the side. I'd really like to go into a field after I graduate that incorporates design with the business side of things because my intrests lie on both sides. I still haven't decided whether I will try to keep design seperate from my career or not. Ultimately, I'm sure I will just see where life leads me.

So how many of you plan to do this for a living?

ZiP · 14-09-2004, 05:28 PM

I am currently doing it for a living, although it has only been recently that I converted over from freelance to doing corporate work. I have yet to burn out or anything, but then again, I am really young still. I end up coming home from work (which is all print-based) and then begin to do web stuff. I never thought I'd be one of "those" people, but at the moment, design is my life. I think its just a stage, you know, one of those things that happens while being "in between girlfriends" hahahaha.

iAmGen3ric · 14-09-2004, 06:18 PM

Well I'm glad to hear you're enjoying it Zip. I would love to try doing it for a living, however finding a job without the degree in graphic design would be difficult. I might end up going back to Studying Advertising with an emphaisis on creative direction which would allow me to explore both the business and the creative side of advertising.

Zeo · 15-09-2004, 05:23 AM

I'd like to make a career out of it. When you think about it, it really doesn't seem as hard as people make it out ot be.

Yes, there are probably more people stealing photoshop and calling themselves firms than there are people who can spell their own names correctly, but they way it looks is one out of every ten actually has the potential to go anywhere. And even then, without the right business sense and general direction, potential doesn't mean they will get anywhere.

then problem I find is, people think they're going to get business through the internet. Which isn't likely. There are millions offering clan sites for $15 through paypal. That's not going to make you any money, and after a year, you're going to have to give up. However, targeting actual businesses, that actually need to make use of web space to reach more potential customers, can generate some decent money if you can get your name out there.

That's why I bother at all. I have the skills to do multimedia design, over a range of mediums, print, web, soon animation and sound, and I've also got the skil set to do some strong web development, client and server side. Once I feel I've got my skills up to par, I should be able to attract any locals needing any kind of design work. As far as I still know, I've got little competition in the web field. I know an odd handful who can use photoshop, but all my friends that have tried to design website, produce that clannqite quality shit.

iAmGen3ric · 15-09-2004, 09:05 PM

Good points Derek, on a local level, there are many untapped regions that would provide a nice pool for collecting work. I live about an hour North of Atlanta, and I have no trouble finding work because many businesses would rather deal with a local designer than with a bit shot agency out of Atlanta. I am really the only designer that produces quality work in over 4 cities in my area and in a field where word of mouth get's you a long way, it has proved to be lucrative thus far.

One thing I will say, while it isn't as hard as some make it out to be, i sure isn't as easy. I have found that being a freelance designer, alot of times clients will try to take advantage of you. I have learned that drawing up a detailed contract spelling out exactly the client/designer relationship and what I will be doing has, in the end, saved me a lot of headaches while at the same time forcing clients to take me more professionally. I would much rather spend my time designing than drawing up contracts though.

Zeo · 15-09-2004, 09:20 PM

Definatlely. Some good points too.
I'm kinda glad people don't seem to tap their local area first. If, there are any around here, I've seen a couple, but none that I would think deal with small town business, it leaves more for me

iAmGen3ric · 16-09-2004, 02:19 AM

Derek, one thing I will warn you about: I found that when dealing with small business, the owners often will only give you little, IF ANY, creative control over the design. Alot of times, they have in their mind what they want it to look like, which can be good because sometimes we need direction, but often you know you could produce something far better for them but they are unwilling to give you any control. It can be extremely frustrating, I have produced several websites that I will not be including in my portfolio simply because it is not work I am proud of. I have since started turning potential clients down if they are unwilling to give me some degree of creative control because we all know how hard it is to create something we are not proud of, especially when we know we can do so much better.

Just one of the many obstacles I have encoutered that I know I need to learn to accept, it's just hard because as designers, one of our inherant (sp?) drives is creativity, and when that drive is blocked, so can be our motivation. However, alot of times clients don't hire us to be creative, they hire us to produce and nothing more.

Hope that made sense haha!

Zeo · 16-09-2004, 06:46 AM

It makes complete sense. The only reason they're hiring is because they're uncapable to produce it themselves. It is aon obstacle, but when you're first starting, unfortunately, it's something you have to put up with, at least until you're name gets passed around at least a little bit.

But realitcially, it's the best target market for me. I'd be a fool to think I could attract internatioal business like the over prasied firms like 2Advanced can do. With practice, I could create the exact same quality work, but it'd never sell. To think I'd ever get a job to design something new for even a RadioShack, unless you knew who was banging the CEO, would be a foolish foolish dream.

iAmGen3ric · 16-09-2004, 06:43 PM

You have hit it dead on Derek. Couldn't have said it better myself!

stonko · 16-09-2004, 09:43 PM

as much as I would like to make a career of my interest in webdevelopment, I'm still realistic and I'll probably get a degree in something "more" than just design, but close related to it. just in case, to have something to fall back on.

about local business.. small, local business may not be the fanciest work you do in your life. but it's a good start. you'll probably gain some good experience and hopefully you can only get further in your journey to teh stars

14-09-2004, 05:05 PM	#1 (permalink)
iAmGen3ric Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 175	Is Design a Hobby or Career/Future Career? I was just curious to see where you guys stand. I've debated alot on whether I want to make a career out of design, or whether it is just a hobby that I will occasionally do for a little extra cash on the side. I'd really like to go into a field after I graduate that incorporates design with the business side of things because my intrests lie on both sides. I still haven't decided whether I will try to keep design seperate from my career or not. Ultimately, I'm sure I will just see where life leads me. So how many of you plan to do this for a living?

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14-09-2004, 05:28 PM	#2 (permalink)
ZiP no user text chosen Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 36	I am currently doing it for a living, although it has only been recently that I converted over from freelance to doing corporate work. I have yet to burn out or anything, but then again, I am really young still. I end up coming home from work (which is all print-based) and then begin to do web stuff. I never thought I'd be one of "those" people, but at the moment, design is my life. I think its just a stage, you know, one of those things that happens while being "in between girlfriends" hahahaha.

14-09-2004, 06:18 PM	#3 (permalink)
iAmGen3ric Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 175	Well I'm glad to hear you're enjoying it Zip. I would love to try doing it for a living, however finding a job without the degree in graphic design would be difficult. I might end up going back to Studying Advertising with an emphaisis on creative direction which would allow me to explore both the business and the creative side of advertising.

15-09-2004, 05:23 AM	#4 (permalink)
Zeo ***** Eminem Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 66	I'd like to make a career out of it. When you think about it, it really doesn't seem as hard as people make it out ot be. Yes, there are probably more people stealing photoshop and calling themselves firms than there are people who can spell their own names correctly, but they way it looks is one out of every ten actually has the potential to go anywhere. And even then, without the right business sense and general direction, potential doesn't mean they will get anywhere. then problem I find is, people think they're going to get business through the internet. Which isn't likely. There are millions offering clan sites for $15 through paypal. That's not going to make you any money, and after a year, you're going to have to give up. However, targeting actual businesses, that actually need to make use of web space to reach more potential customers, can generate some decent money if you can get your name out there. That's why I bother at all. I have the skills to do multimedia design, over a range of mediums, print, web, soon animation and sound, and I've also got the skil set to do some strong web development, client and server side. Once I feel I've got my skills up to par, I should be able to attract any locals needing any kind of design work. As far as I still know, I've got little competition in the web field. I know an odd handful who can use photoshop, but all my friends that have tried to design website, produce that clannqite quality shit.

15-09-2004, 09:05 PM	#5 (permalink)
iAmGen3ric Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 175	Good points Derek, on a local level, there are many untapped regions that would provide a nice pool for collecting work. I live about an hour North of Atlanta, and I have no trouble finding work because many businesses would rather deal with a local designer than with a bit shot agency out of Atlanta. I am really the only designer that produces quality work in over 4 cities in my area and in a field where word of mouth get's you a long way, it has proved to be lucrative thus far. One thing I will say, while it isn't as hard as some make it out to be, i sure isn't as easy. I have found that being a freelance designer, alot of times clients will try to take advantage of you. I have learned that drawing up a detailed contract spelling out exactly the client/designer relationship and what I will be doing has, in the end, saved me a lot of headaches while at the same time forcing clients to take me more professionally. I would much rather spend my time designing than drawing up contracts though.

15-09-2004, 09:20 PM	#6 (permalink)
Zeo ***** Eminem Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 66	Definatlely. Some good points too. I'm kinda glad people don't seem to tap their local area first. If, there are any around here, I've seen a couple, but none that I would think deal with small town business, it leaves more for me

16-09-2004, 02:19 AM	#7 (permalink)
iAmGen3ric Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 175	Derek, one thing I will warn you about: I found that when dealing with small business, the owners often will only give you little, IF ANY, creative control over the design. Alot of times, they have in their mind what they want it to look like, which can be good because sometimes we need direction, but often you know you could produce something far better for them but they are unwilling to give you any control. It can be extremely frustrating, I have produced several websites that I will not be including in my portfolio simply because it is not work I am proud of. I have since started turning potential clients down if they are unwilling to give me some degree of creative control because we all know how hard it is to create something we are not proud of, especially when we know we can do so much better. Just one of the many obstacles I have encoutered that I know I need to learn to accept, it's just hard because as designers, one of our inherant (sp?) drives is creativity, and when that drive is blocked, so can be our motivation. However, alot of times clients don't hire us to be creative, they hire us to produce and nothing more. Hope that made sense haha!

16-09-2004, 06:46 AM	#8 (permalink)
Zeo ***** Eminem Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 66	It makes complete sense. The only reason they're hiring is because they're uncapable to produce it themselves. It is aon obstacle, but when you're first starting, unfortunately, it's something you have to put up with, at least until you're name gets passed around at least a little bit. But realitcially, it's the best target market for me. I'd be a fool to think I could attract internatioal business like the over prasied firms like 2Advanced can do. With practice, I could create the exact same quality work, but it'd never sell. To think I'd ever get a job to design something new for even a RadioShack, unless you knew who was banging the CEO, would be a foolish foolish dream.

16-09-2004, 06:43 PM	#9 (permalink)
iAmGen3ric Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 175	You have hit it dead on Derek. Couldn't have said it better myself!

16-09-2004, 09:43 PM	#10 (permalink)
stonko Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 13	as much as I would like to make a career of my interest in webdevelopment, I'm still realistic and I'll probably get a degree in something "more" than just design, but close related to it. just in case, to have something to fall back on. about local business.. small, local business may not be the fanciest work you do in your life. but it's a good start. you'll probably gain some good experience and hopefully you can only get further in your journey to teh stars