i’m back… managed to surface from the haze of work and lethargy to write. the past month, i’ve not had much time to sit down and think about the stuff i’ve read elsewhere in the web so no postings.
i found this link while surfing the web and it is something that have been crossing my mind since i’ve started work. it is an article by the design institute of australia (DIA) talking about having a career in design, its pros and cons.
no matter whether you are an experienced designer or a student of design that’s just starting out in the industry… there must have been times when you’ve asked yourself ‘do i really want to be a designer? what makes me a designer? what makes a good designer? am i cut out to be one?’
i have seen a couple of ex-designers who are now in careers that are somehow related to design (eg: marketing) or totally not (eg: logistics!!). when i ask them, why did you decide to change careers?, most of them often cite the low pay, competition and that they are not good enough to make it as reasons.
then there are also those who are freelancing and enjoying the freedom whilst also lamenting the instability of the paychecks… but still designing… so it truly falls on the individual to see what their strengths and weakness are and how determined they are to succeed as a designer.
it is pretty easy to be “designer”… know the pre-requisite design software, get a few contacts and projects etc, and voila~! you are a designer! even the DIA also mentions this in their article:
Another major problem throughout the industry is that there are many people calling themselves ‘designers’ who simply don’t have the necessary skills and qualifications.
adding to this pool are designers from other practices (industrial, fashion etc) and we end up with too many designers competing for the limited amount of jobs out there, with cut-throat prices available (how many times have you seen adverts for designing services at ridiculously low pricing?)
after reading the article and thinking it through, i feel that the challenge actually comes in staying true to the chosen path. many of us may start off being a designer and end up doing other things along the way due to changing interests, or seeing friends/peers in other industries who are earning loads more for doing less (sobs) and having to struggle internally to compromise between being creative and earning enough to ensure a relatively good life ahead.
to that i would repeat what i’ve read elsewhere and what my friend have said to me: ‘do what you are truly passionate in and the money would come’
/end of ramble
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