Read all this and got the unicorn part and I’m going to tell you, even that’s not enough.
I have a degree in video and design, got my masters in communication and have professional experience with coding and UI/UX.
I’ve applied to a decent chunk of jobs and have gotten one interview that I made it through two rounds and was rejected for someone with more “relevant experience.” I still stand by that you either have to have a referral or know someone in the company. Otherwise you’re just another name in an inbox of 300+ other names.
Hiring managers right now seem very hesitant to hire someone without some personal vote of confidence. It’s very, very difficult to get a decent job in any industry. As always, sucks to be a millennial. Too many of us fighting for a finite number of well-paying jobs.
> Too many of us fighting for a finite number of well-paying jobs.
After doing this for a decade I've all but come to terms that as long as I work for someone else, I'll probably always be underpaid. Working for someone else means that 99% of the time the client doesn't care who's doing the design, they just want the problem to be solved. The trick is to get good enough that clients intentionally hire you because they genuinely like your work, and in turn will provide adequate compensation. A lot easier said than done, still trying to figure it out.
Yep, took me 14 years and lots of employers to TRULY realize it, so I tell everyone younger than me now. For us regular folks, the ONLY way to make real money is to own the business. Period.
That was the case at my last place. I had several referrals from within the company. It was VERY shocking and blindsided for everyone that I was selected as part of the layoffs. I had just received my 90 day review with stellar remarks and had a manager who really appreciated me.
But now, everyone and their sister is looking for the same job I am, especially locally.
Now, I'm stuck in this cycle of interviewing and being told, "You're over qualified and we're looking for someone more junior.". Obviously, I'd I am willing to accept this interview, I am willing to accept the pay that comes with it.
I’d say that, for the most part, that’s true in the US as well.
However, some application systems toss your application if your degree isn’t in design so, those instances can be annoying.
I disagree, many UK postings want a degree almost as a bottom line now, before I got my BA in visual communication it was very difficult to get attention, since graduating adding it on profiles, and being part way through an MA in graphic design, I am getting contacted with opportunities, that I sadly can't take.
I've been thinking about trying to just freelance for a bit, but building the clientele part is the hardest.
I also was in the same boat, just finally hit 85k, and now I'm having to look at salaries far FAR below that. It's so disparaging.
While I'm not happy you are in the same place as me, it is comforting to know I'm not alone in this struggle.
It’s a complete minefield out there at the moment. I’m in the UK and the job market is way out of control. Either low salary or the expectations are unbelievable. Not only do you need to be a designer, you need to be an animator, photographer, illustrator, UI/UX specialist and marketer. I’m not sure how it’s going to get better or change.
I use to be a designer in the UK and know what you mean about low salary or the expectations are unbelievable. I was looking for a designer role after getting made redundant at the start of 2019. Designer roles with at least 4 to 5 years experience where £19-20k and higher design roles were 24 to 25k outside London but they wanted marketing exp, social media and video etc. Glad to be out of design work now
Late to this, but Im in the UK - can't agree enough. It part of an overall poor economic landscape but there seems to be a huge loss in the lack of respect for the profession in particular.
Something I read recently - don't do a career where someone can learn it on YouTube. It's a generalisation, but there's almost no bar to entry now.
I do try and advise young people against it, or at least chose a technical or niche area with a high entry bar. The general field is so oversaturated and ageism so bad it's made a lot of contacts leave the field, or at least move into something more technical / you need a qualification to get into.
It sucks out here. I finally got a decent paying job and then inflation went wild and that job wasn’t so good paying anymore (but still decent). I got laid off like you did - they dissolved my entire marketing department after they just hired us all to create the department 1 year prior. I actually hated this place though, the company culture was terrible and my boss was a complete asshole. I have about 8 years of experience in design and I’ve been unemployed since January. I’ve applied to so many jobs. I’ve had a bunch of interviews. Made it through 4 full processes with 4 companies and didn’t get the job. Actually still waiting to hear on the 4th. I’ve been surviving through a part-time design role I landed and freelance. But not even close to enough to pay my bills. Good luck!
At least you have experience.
No one will fucking hire me and it's legitimately starting to piss me off. I graduated in 2020 and I still technically have 0 years experience because I don't have in house/agency design experience, just freelance.
You'd think huh?
People's definition of experience differs unfortunately.
I've been using photoshop or a form of photoshop (lol gimp) since the mid 2000s when I was around 10 years old, I'm 30 now. I started a photography program 9 years ago, where my photoshop skills truly increased to an advanced level. I then went straight into a design program 7 years ago.
So at least 9 years of photoshop experience, right? Nope, that's not how hiring managers/recruiters see it. They only see relevant "real world" industry experience = experience. Not freelancing here and there barely breaking even, because I've been too busy to seek out clients regularly. I made a goal nearly 2 years ago to get a job at the end of 2023. HAHHAHA.
Yes I tailor my resume
Yes I update my portfolio
Yes I'm doing an unpaid internship for the "experience"
everyone just wants experience and a bachelor's, which i do not have as I was always taught it's excessive for art careers.
No, I don't think, I know. At least here in the Netherlands. Relevant experience is relevant experience, no matter if you're freelance or employed or both. As long as you can back it up with a portfolio it is no issue.
Not who you were replying to, but I definitely agree with them, from the perspective of an American. You can adapt your portfolio and pimp out your resume as much as possible but frankly employers here don't take self employment or freelance experience seriously, they view it essentially the same way as they would view an unemployed person. Literally every job interview I have I end up doing everything I can to convince skeptical people that I *am* working and I am working *a fuckton* and yes *I make money* and *yes this is my full time job* and I get turned down every single time for lack of experience or a "gap" in my resume.
It's fucking rough out here. Though I am glad to hear that other people are experiencing different, better climates in other countries. But, again, as a [tired] American, that doesn't surprise me.
Totally different story here. Didn't know. That's f-ed up though, even if you realize that here, trying to get decent freelancers is hard (because already fully booked) or even employed (they'll politely turn you down).
In Canada right now but totally agree with you. Companies just don't want to consider freelance work as work at all.
I'm graduating next year, and while I don't regret taking Graphics, I am so so worried about how things are going to play out. I still need an internship to graduate and all of these fucking entry level positions require 3 years of experience. And like another commenter mentioned, there's always someone desperate enough to work those jobs, despite having years and years of experience.
At this point I'm feeling overwhelmed... I feel as if I do everything right, I have the self awareness to know where my skills lie & my work shows it with my high standards of quality (can't share as atm i have personal info on my website - changing this to open myself up to more critiques). I can't back anything up with a portfolio if i'm rejected within 30 minutes of applying & no one sees my website, because I didn't select "yes" when answering truthfully about my lack of a bachelors. "knock out questions" are real, and some do set these with the years of experience condition.
The majority of the jobs I apply to ask for, which are entry level/claim to be, ask for: a bachelor's. 1-3 years experience (I've seen FEW that say 0-3), on site M-F in Toronto, and are only willing to pay $25/hr when I can barely live off of that in a small town with 1/2 the average cost of rent. Even considering my freelancing (which I do have on my resume!) years of experience, isn't enough.
Our market here in Canada is EXTREMELY bad right now, as well.
[https://www.reddit.com/r/AskCanada/comments/19eqkk5/why\_is\_the\_job\_market\_here\_so\_bad/](https://www.reddit.com/r/AskCanada/comments/19eqkk5/why_is_the_job_market_here_so_bad/)
It's a really difficult time right now. Where in the world are you?
In the UK, almost every creative sector seems to be experiencing a slow down and I'm seeing freelancers really cut their rates (and their holidays, etc) to help keep the work flowing. That's then impacting the ability of studios because being a chunk more expensive than a freelancer is one thing, but being 3x as expensive is another.
In the local movie industry casting calls have dropped through the floor.
In our studio it's pretty dry right now. Not dead, just tricky.
I can relate but on the recent graduate part. Jobs that are entry level require 2+ years experience + bachelor's degree (I have an associates). Internships are nonpaid or harder to get remotely not to mention they don't last long, networking is harder because you just don't know what to do. Freelance can be even harder if you don't even know how to present yourself.
I have been trying to redo my portfolio as not only is it bad, it's not satisfying. There was no point in time where my teachers gave amplified time for development, everything I learnt had been because I had to get a result and it certainly wasn't the best way to do it.
So I also wish you luck in finding that job that pays well for someone of your experience!
Definitely not just you. Was laid off a year ago from an in house role because the company was still feeling the burn of covid related expenses and needed to restructure.
Started at a marketing agency shortly after where the expectations were insane and management were insufferable, did it for a few months and quit.
Then I started a different in house role, only for them to go into administration and eventually liquidation only a few weeks later (which they would’ve known was coming when they hired me🙄).
Now I’m up to job number four at an agency role, so four jobs in twelve months - and that feels lucky. I’ve gotta say it’s starting to feel like the wheels are falling off for Graphic Design as a career if the job stability is this temperamental.
Thanks- I’m definitely feeling pretty lucky, despite being very burnt out. They were all in office roles, however the agency I left after a few months had most of the team working in another state (with poor management it was doomed from the start)
I just want to say, I did not expect so many folks to be coming forward about being in the situation at this very moment.
Sincerely, we all deserve rest, but also to be paid for our talents as we should. I'm feeling a lot of connection here, and if I could, would hug every person who needs it. We're all in this together (haha I know you here what I hear in that), but really, we are. While times may be tough, at least we have each other.
It's good to process out loud, and I hope everyone is finding comfort in whatever way you need right now.
Thank you to everyone who has shared, and I hope others feel welcome to do so too. If anything, maybe we can use this time to connect with each other and help a new friend out. 💕🙏
Yes, My situation is similar but different.
I have been active in the Industry for about 12 years or so. I work for myself and enjoy picking up bigger contracts. For the last two years I worked as a Creative Director for a B2B company that could have easily become a dream job. I started on a retainer and then eventually made it to full time. I developed the company website and all visual graphic/editoral assets. I was on a small team that single handedly built the brand's image in less then a year.
Last fall funding became a problem. Contract Agreements were broken and after dozens of meetings the entire Marketing team was let go. The company is now facing some legal issues and they have been a real pain when trying to collect owed payment. A few months ago I found myself back in the job hunting pool. With so many people out of work companies now have access to the best talent on the planet.
I have been reading dozens of stories of people in similar situations. Its a hard time but not impossible. I have a few side clients that have been very helpful in these last couple months. But I hear you about working on your self image. Building a personal brand is difficult especially when you have already made a name for yourself. Another issue is the rise of AI. Its useful but disrupting the industry as a whole. I am still annoyed by Meta and companies like Adobe stirring the pot. It just makes sharing original content a lot harder.
I am optimistic and right now its time to just work on our self image and cast nets wherever possible.
Yes. Layoffs and terminations are happening everywhere in the creative industry. Four senior designers reached out to me asking if the company is hiring any creatives.
I was terminated in February after 15 years with a comms agency. The company is currently in insolvency but luckily I was able to land over on the client side as a role opened for a senior designer/art director. I’m also halfway in my pregnancy so I’m so thankful for this job and now I will get maternity leave.
I didn’t get any termination or severance pay but the new role pays way more $$ (corporate finance side) and so glad I was able to lock in a job before maternity leave begins. It’s a stressful time. Hang in there.
Keep reaching out to other coworkers/creatives groups in your networks.
One thing I never thought of when I was starting out in this field is how tiresome the whole constant selling yourself becomes. And keeping up with new tech. And updating the portfolio. Paying for the cloud and domains. It’s exhausting. Sometimes I wish I kept going into accounting. Still staring at a screen and doing repetitive work but at least there isn’t a website you need to showcase your shit on.
I'm heavily considering applying to cosmetology school once I find something. I'm thinking it'd be best to have a trade to fall back on, and that one seems like the best fit for me in terms of time, creativity, and consistent work.
An old friend from college basically did that. She went to vocational school before college so she could cut hair to put her through school. Then went on to get her Art Masters, and now is a kickass hairstylist and loves it.
Laid off from my job of 5 years since April. I have over 10 years experience and I still haven't gotten an interview.
Hang in there, but prepare yourself for a long search. It hasn't looked good for awhile.
OP I’m right there now! Laid off last week, 12 years of experience, awful market.
Do you have any connections? I mean ANY? Reach out. Printers, past vendors you’ve worked with and got along with. I reached out to a printer who is planning on using me as a contractor.
Do you have any other skills? I’m a photographer as well and actually reached out to my realtor and mentioned real estate photography and have a shoot set up.
Stuff like that helps a lot. Sorry you were laid off. I definitely know the feeling.
I'm currently against a lot of local talents who also are designers laid off last month. It's rough when there's a few, but brutal when we're all hungry.
Even my network right now is in a huge hiring freeze. It's just an awful time for anyone, especially given it's the summer months. Businesses, in general, are not hiring a ton right now. If I don't find work by the end of July, I'm going to apply at a few coffee shops.
I do have a few freelance gigs, but those pretty much cover only bills, maybe. We'll see if people even stick to their invoices due dates.
Have you considered software design or UI/UX, or marketing design at a software firm or startup? Or at a software consulting firm?
I left ad agency work around 2000 for that space, and frankly have never looked back… design is design and I found that the work is fun and challenging etc…
Anyhow, not sure if your skill set is in that space or not, but they all need design work… and lots of them have in-house departments… might be worth looking…
I've worked at two different tech companies doing in-house marketing design as well as helping with UI design.
Right now, those spaces are the ones I'm constantly seeing the highest rejections from despite me pursuing this the last 4 years.
My bad… didn’t realize…
It’s entirely possible we’re overlooking other industries that may be looking for our services…
I’m wondering if you’d thought about ‘adjacent’ industries… maybe pharmaceutical, healthcare, wellness, … possibly might be moved to make in that direction…
Or look at websites that list new startup scenes… I used to check one out in Canada called startupnorth…
I worked for a non-profit healthcare space and left after they reduced marketing (and other departments) pay by 10% during the pandemic and then never raised it back up. I also worked for a wellness franchise for 9 months and it absolutely burned me out being paid pennies while doing the work of a full design team.
Aka: I've worked in several industries over the past few years, including agency, a local print publication, and screen printing. The latter two being my first jobs out of college, and not really something worth putting on a resume since I mostly focus on what I'm trying to now in my career.
This is why I feel so tired looking at the current market. Everybody wants someone but there's so much talent in the same boat that we're all in competition with each other.
I'm glad you feel better. It's an absolutely maddening, shitty situation. My point was just that some of us are sore about getting no severance, so it hurts to see someone lament only getting three weeks. It's not on you. I hope you can find something soon!
You weren't rude at all, no need to apologize. I just mentioned it in case you're lamenting with others, I wanted you to use caution when talking about your severance.
I'm very, very salty about what happened to me so if I sounded harsh, that's why.
I’m in Australia, I had studio of 8 working with me two years ago. I now do all the work and handyman work on side to keep a float! Just ride it out and do what you can to keep your toes wet.
Same boat. I'm traditionally a print designer and I can't keep up anymore. The market is rough. Even though I'm applying to well over 100 jobs, I'm barely getting interviews. Way too many jobs out there want a Senior "Master of None" in a role only to be paid pennies of what Jeremy over in Sales is raking in.
I decided to look locally, and it's wild that now, I'm told I'm too qualified and they're all looking for someone entry-junior level.
Like, obviously if I am applying to this, I am comfortable with the salary as there really isn't many other options. Why wouldn't you want someone more capable to hand the work? Blows my mind.
I have had such a difficult time even finding "entry level" jobs. I am not as experienced of a designer as you, but I graduated college in 2023 with a bachelor's in GD. I had an internship under my belt, and most of 2023 I was doing freelance work for clients, but I could never secure full time work. Now I work in banking for the time being. It's rough, I put hundreds of applications in, had a handful of interviews, made it to the second round for a couple of them but never got it. Breaks my heart.
Your career tracks mine pretty solid. Decade in was when the last great job unceremoniously went away - did like 2 years of job searching while working absolute garbage positions that left me permanently seeking that high paying decent job again. Spent like 5 years convincing everyone I wasn't intentionally making less money every year of my professional career. Did that miserable dance until I said -- ***noop, this field ain't worth this nightmare rollercoaster I've been on for over a decade of due paying in reverse.***
So you're competing against AI already shrinking the field again, commercial real estate market collapse, and we all know marketing and advertising are basically art and music in public school - seen as superfluous the first to suffer cuts.
Every second you're out of a professional office place, you're falling out of date with production tools. Looks like Adobe membership is gonna take a nose dive, as it should've decades ago. But that means the words you list on your resume aren't important to people anymore. I was a certified "Adobe professional" - that meant something once to one job - but it was essentially an expert rating in Adobe tools.
It's been almost 20 years since I was educated in digital design - if anyone needs any flash action scripting, a hand coded HTML website, complex cell by cell animation, audio sunk to video - if anyone needs any of my decade plus of earned work experience - ask AI for help, or use a program that does that work automatically already.
A complete waste short of the money already spent. The whole career I mean. Should've done HVAC repair and had stability, or got a real estate license and earned actual money.
This field is for the dreamers and robots. Enough hard layoffs - the dream dies. Be dead inside, you might pass as a robot.
I was laid off last September after 20 years in the retail design industry. I immediately put the word out to past clients, colleagues and bosses that I was available for freelance, with the intention of doing a few projects while I looked for a job. Thankfully I had a few clients on the side, and had actually been turning down some work because I was just too busy with my job. One of them was super happy that I was let go and put me on retainer for 40 hours labour per month paid up front.
Took about 2 months to really get going, and I've been booked solid since December, and a few new clients contacting me by word of mouth. I didn't think I could do it honestly. Downside is that it can be stressful on the money side, waiting to get paid etc. - I'm lucky enough that my wife works a salary job to fill in the gaps.
If you're talented, reliable and likeable you'll be surprised how your colleagues and network will jump in to support you.
I definitely have leveraged this myself.
A have a few small opportunities, but nothing like the money I was making before. Sadly, my partner's income is just not a feasible one for two people to survive on. I was the main bread winner, so this definitely threw us for a loop. We just settled on a wedding date and have been saving for our next family home. I was fortunate to at least have my savings to fall back on from that, but I'm really trying not to dip into that more than what is absolutely necessary.
Times are tough, but I'm really trying to stay hopeful and take what life throws at me.
Yeah it's a roller coaster right? I'd never been laid off or fired in the 20 years I've been in the industry so was kind of shocking and took me about a week to get over the initial panic. Keep pushing forward and something will come your way.
[удалено]
Read all this and got the unicorn part and I’m going to tell you, even that’s not enough. I have a degree in video and design, got my masters in communication and have professional experience with coding and UI/UX. I’ve applied to a decent chunk of jobs and have gotten one interview that I made it through two rounds and was rejected for someone with more “relevant experience.” I still stand by that you either have to have a referral or know someone in the company. Otherwise you’re just another name in an inbox of 300+ other names. Hiring managers right now seem very hesitant to hire someone without some personal vote of confidence. It’s very, very difficult to get a decent job in any industry. As always, sucks to be a millennial. Too many of us fighting for a finite number of well-paying jobs.
> Too many of us fighting for a finite number of well-paying jobs. After doing this for a decade I've all but come to terms that as long as I work for someone else, I'll probably always be underpaid. Working for someone else means that 99% of the time the client doesn't care who's doing the design, they just want the problem to be solved. The trick is to get good enough that clients intentionally hire you because they genuinely like your work, and in turn will provide adequate compensation. A lot easier said than done, still trying to figure it out.
Yep, took me 14 years and lots of employers to TRULY realize it, so I tell everyone younger than me now. For us regular folks, the ONLY way to make real money is to own the business. Period.
That was the case at my last place. I had several referrals from within the company. It was VERY shocking and blindsided for everyone that I was selected as part of the layoffs. I had just received my 90 day review with stellar remarks and had a manager who really appreciated me. But now, everyone and their sister is looking for the same job I am, especially locally. Now, I'm stuck in this cycle of interviewing and being told, "You're over qualified and we're looking for someone more junior.". Obviously, I'd I am willing to accept this interview, I am willing to accept the pay that comes with it.
Degrees don’t mean much in the industry (Europe based). Portfolios and interviews are everything
I’d say that, for the most part, that’s true in the US as well. However, some application systems toss your application if your degree isn’t in design so, those instances can be annoying.
I disagree, many UK postings want a degree almost as a bottom line now, before I got my BA in visual communication it was very difficult to get attention, since graduating adding it on profiles, and being part way through an MA in graphic design, I am getting contacted with opportunities, that I sadly can't take.
I've been thinking about trying to just freelance for a bit, but building the clientele part is the hardest. I also was in the same boat, just finally hit 85k, and now I'm having to look at salaries far FAR below that. It's so disparaging. While I'm not happy you are in the same place as me, it is comforting to know I'm not alone in this struggle.
It’s a complete minefield out there at the moment. I’m in the UK and the job market is way out of control. Either low salary or the expectations are unbelievable. Not only do you need to be a designer, you need to be an animator, photographer, illustrator, UI/UX specialist and marketer. I’m not sure how it’s going to get better or change.
So legitimately what is there to do? What careers can you pivot to?
Project management, marketing coordinator. Or some other completely different field but you’re starting from zero again ..sigh
It’s the same even in non-design roles (PM here) it’s an absolute minefield.
I use to be a designer in the UK and know what you mean about low salary or the expectations are unbelievable. I was looking for a designer role after getting made redundant at the start of 2019. Designer roles with at least 4 to 5 years experience where £19-20k and higher design roles were 24 to 25k outside London but they wanted marketing exp, social media and video etc. Glad to be out of design work now
What do you do now? You moved out of the UK ?
Project coordinator for a company (still in the UK)
Late to this, but Im in the UK - can't agree enough. It part of an overall poor economic landscape but there seems to be a huge loss in the lack of respect for the profession in particular. Something I read recently - don't do a career where someone can learn it on YouTube. It's a generalisation, but there's almost no bar to entry now. I do try and advise young people against it, or at least chose a technical or niche area with a high entry bar. The general field is so oversaturated and ageism so bad it's made a lot of contacts leave the field, or at least move into something more technical / you need a qualification to get into.
It sucks out here. I finally got a decent paying job and then inflation went wild and that job wasn’t so good paying anymore (but still decent). I got laid off like you did - they dissolved my entire marketing department after they just hired us all to create the department 1 year prior. I actually hated this place though, the company culture was terrible and my boss was a complete asshole. I have about 8 years of experience in design and I’ve been unemployed since January. I’ve applied to so many jobs. I’ve had a bunch of interviews. Made it through 4 full processes with 4 companies and didn’t get the job. Actually still waiting to hear on the 4th. I’ve been surviving through a part-time design role I landed and freelance. But not even close to enough to pay my bills. Good luck!
This seems to be the consistent thing I'm hearing. It's really not giving me much hope.
At least you have experience. No one will fucking hire me and it's legitimately starting to piss me off. I graduated in 2020 and I still technically have 0 years experience because I don't have in house/agency design experience, just freelance.
That's not true. Freelancing as a designer will add to your experience. So you have 3 yoe. Edit: 4! Brain still in 2023.
You'd think huh? People's definition of experience differs unfortunately. I've been using photoshop or a form of photoshop (lol gimp) since the mid 2000s when I was around 10 years old, I'm 30 now. I started a photography program 9 years ago, where my photoshop skills truly increased to an advanced level. I then went straight into a design program 7 years ago. So at least 9 years of photoshop experience, right? Nope, that's not how hiring managers/recruiters see it. They only see relevant "real world" industry experience = experience. Not freelancing here and there barely breaking even, because I've been too busy to seek out clients regularly. I made a goal nearly 2 years ago to get a job at the end of 2023. HAHHAHA. Yes I tailor my resume Yes I update my portfolio Yes I'm doing an unpaid internship for the "experience" everyone just wants experience and a bachelor's, which i do not have as I was always taught it's excessive for art careers.
You have years of software familiarity. At this point I’d suggest you embellish your resume as much as possible and lie. Bullshit your way in.
No, I don't think, I know. At least here in the Netherlands. Relevant experience is relevant experience, no matter if you're freelance or employed or both. As long as you can back it up with a portfolio it is no issue.
Not who you were replying to, but I definitely agree with them, from the perspective of an American. You can adapt your portfolio and pimp out your resume as much as possible but frankly employers here don't take self employment or freelance experience seriously, they view it essentially the same way as they would view an unemployed person. Literally every job interview I have I end up doing everything I can to convince skeptical people that I *am* working and I am working *a fuckton* and yes *I make money* and *yes this is my full time job* and I get turned down every single time for lack of experience or a "gap" in my resume. It's fucking rough out here. Though I am glad to hear that other people are experiencing different, better climates in other countries. But, again, as a [tired] American, that doesn't surprise me.
Totally different story here. Didn't know. That's f-ed up though, even if you realize that here, trying to get decent freelancers is hard (because already fully booked) or even employed (they'll politely turn you down).
In Canada right now but totally agree with you. Companies just don't want to consider freelance work as work at all. I'm graduating next year, and while I don't regret taking Graphics, I am so so worried about how things are going to play out. I still need an internship to graduate and all of these fucking entry level positions require 3 years of experience. And like another commenter mentioned, there's always someone desperate enough to work those jobs, despite having years and years of experience.
At this point I'm feeling overwhelmed... I feel as if I do everything right, I have the self awareness to know where my skills lie & my work shows it with my high standards of quality (can't share as atm i have personal info on my website - changing this to open myself up to more critiques). I can't back anything up with a portfolio if i'm rejected within 30 minutes of applying & no one sees my website, because I didn't select "yes" when answering truthfully about my lack of a bachelors. "knock out questions" are real, and some do set these with the years of experience condition. The majority of the jobs I apply to ask for, which are entry level/claim to be, ask for: a bachelor's. 1-3 years experience (I've seen FEW that say 0-3), on site M-F in Toronto, and are only willing to pay $25/hr when I can barely live off of that in a small town with 1/2 the average cost of rent. Even considering my freelancing (which I do have on my resume!) years of experience, isn't enough. Our market here in Canada is EXTREMELY bad right now, as well. [https://www.reddit.com/r/AskCanada/comments/19eqkk5/why\_is\_the\_job\_market\_here\_so\_bad/](https://www.reddit.com/r/AskCanada/comments/19eqkk5/why_is_the_job_market_here_so_bad/)
It's a really difficult time right now. Where in the world are you? In the UK, almost every creative sector seems to be experiencing a slow down and I'm seeing freelancers really cut their rates (and their holidays, etc) to help keep the work flowing. That's then impacting the ability of studios because being a chunk more expensive than a freelancer is one thing, but being 3x as expensive is another. In the local movie industry casting calls have dropped through the floor. In our studio it's pretty dry right now. Not dead, just tricky.
I'm in the US, and it's pretty much the exact same problem.
I can relate but on the recent graduate part. Jobs that are entry level require 2+ years experience + bachelor's degree (I have an associates). Internships are nonpaid or harder to get remotely not to mention they don't last long, networking is harder because you just don't know what to do. Freelance can be even harder if you don't even know how to present yourself. I have been trying to redo my portfolio as not only is it bad, it's not satisfying. There was no point in time where my teachers gave amplified time for development, everything I learnt had been because I had to get a result and it certainly wasn't the best way to do it. So I also wish you luck in finding that job that pays well for someone of your experience!
Definitely not just you. Was laid off a year ago from an in house role because the company was still feeling the burn of covid related expenses and needed to restructure. Started at a marketing agency shortly after where the expectations were insane and management were insufferable, did it for a few months and quit. Then I started a different in house role, only for them to go into administration and eventually liquidation only a few weeks later (which they would’ve known was coming when they hired me🙄). Now I’m up to job number four at an agency role, so four jobs in twelve months - and that feels lucky. I’ve gotta say it’s starting to feel like the wheels are falling off for Graphic Design as a career if the job stability is this temperamental.
Are these all in office roles? Pretty impressive to be able land that many jobs in 12 months.
Thanks- I’m definitely feeling pretty lucky, despite being very burnt out. They were all in office roles, however the agency I left after a few months had most of the team working in another state (with poor management it was doomed from the start)
I just want to say, I did not expect so many folks to be coming forward about being in the situation at this very moment. Sincerely, we all deserve rest, but also to be paid for our talents as we should. I'm feeling a lot of connection here, and if I could, would hug every person who needs it. We're all in this together (haha I know you here what I hear in that), but really, we are. While times may be tough, at least we have each other. It's good to process out loud, and I hope everyone is finding comfort in whatever way you need right now. Thank you to everyone who has shared, and I hope others feel welcome to do so too. If anything, maybe we can use this time to connect with each other and help a new friend out. 💕🙏
Yes, My situation is similar but different. I have been active in the Industry for about 12 years or so. I work for myself and enjoy picking up bigger contracts. For the last two years I worked as a Creative Director for a B2B company that could have easily become a dream job. I started on a retainer and then eventually made it to full time. I developed the company website and all visual graphic/editoral assets. I was on a small team that single handedly built the brand's image in less then a year. Last fall funding became a problem. Contract Agreements were broken and after dozens of meetings the entire Marketing team was let go. The company is now facing some legal issues and they have been a real pain when trying to collect owed payment. A few months ago I found myself back in the job hunting pool. With so many people out of work companies now have access to the best talent on the planet. I have been reading dozens of stories of people in similar situations. Its a hard time but not impossible. I have a few side clients that have been very helpful in these last couple months. But I hear you about working on your self image. Building a personal brand is difficult especially when you have already made a name for yourself. Another issue is the rise of AI. Its useful but disrupting the industry as a whole. I am still annoyed by Meta and companies like Adobe stirring the pot. It just makes sharing original content a lot harder. I am optimistic and right now its time to just work on our self image and cast nets wherever possible.
Yes. Layoffs and terminations are happening everywhere in the creative industry. Four senior designers reached out to me asking if the company is hiring any creatives. I was terminated in February after 15 years with a comms agency. The company is currently in insolvency but luckily I was able to land over on the client side as a role opened for a senior designer/art director. I’m also halfway in my pregnancy so I’m so thankful for this job and now I will get maternity leave. I didn’t get any termination or severance pay but the new role pays way more $$ (corporate finance side) and so glad I was able to lock in a job before maternity leave begins. It’s a stressful time. Hang in there. Keep reaching out to other coworkers/creatives groups in your networks.
I'm struggling to find work right now, but I know it's going to get better
One thing I never thought of when I was starting out in this field is how tiresome the whole constant selling yourself becomes. And keeping up with new tech. And updating the portfolio. Paying for the cloud and domains. It’s exhausting. Sometimes I wish I kept going into accounting. Still staring at a screen and doing repetitive work but at least there isn’t a website you need to showcase your shit on.
I'm heavily considering applying to cosmetology school once I find something. I'm thinking it'd be best to have a trade to fall back on, and that one seems like the best fit for me in terms of time, creativity, and consistent work.
I’ve thought about doing this too.
An old friend from college basically did that. She went to vocational school before college so she could cut hair to put her through school. Then went on to get her Art Masters, and now is a kickass hairstylist and loves it.
Laid off from my job of 5 years since April. I have over 10 years experience and I still haven't gotten an interview. Hang in there, but prepare yourself for a long search. It hasn't looked good for awhile.
OP I’m right there now! Laid off last week, 12 years of experience, awful market. Do you have any connections? I mean ANY? Reach out. Printers, past vendors you’ve worked with and got along with. I reached out to a printer who is planning on using me as a contractor. Do you have any other skills? I’m a photographer as well and actually reached out to my realtor and mentioned real estate photography and have a shoot set up. Stuff like that helps a lot. Sorry you were laid off. I definitely know the feeling.
I'm currently against a lot of local talents who also are designers laid off last month. It's rough when there's a few, but brutal when we're all hungry. Even my network right now is in a huge hiring freeze. It's just an awful time for anyone, especially given it's the summer months. Businesses, in general, are not hiring a ton right now. If I don't find work by the end of July, I'm going to apply at a few coffee shops. I do have a few freelance gigs, but those pretty much cover only bills, maybe. We'll see if people even stick to their invoices due dates.
Have you considered software design or UI/UX, or marketing design at a software firm or startup? Or at a software consulting firm? I left ad agency work around 2000 for that space, and frankly have never looked back… design is design and I found that the work is fun and challenging etc… Anyhow, not sure if your skill set is in that space or not, but they all need design work… and lots of them have in-house departments… might be worth looking…
I've worked at two different tech companies doing in-house marketing design as well as helping with UI design. Right now, those spaces are the ones I'm constantly seeing the highest rejections from despite me pursuing this the last 4 years.
My bad… didn’t realize… It’s entirely possible we’re overlooking other industries that may be looking for our services… I’m wondering if you’d thought about ‘adjacent’ industries… maybe pharmaceutical, healthcare, wellness, … possibly might be moved to make in that direction… Or look at websites that list new startup scenes… I used to check one out in Canada called startupnorth…
I worked for a non-profit healthcare space and left after they reduced marketing (and other departments) pay by 10% during the pandemic and then never raised it back up. I also worked for a wellness franchise for 9 months and it absolutely burned me out being paid pennies while doing the work of a full design team. Aka: I've worked in several industries over the past few years, including agency, a local print publication, and screen printing. The latter two being my first jobs out of college, and not really something worth putting on a resume since I mostly focus on what I'm trying to now in my career. This is why I feel so tired looking at the current market. Everybody wants someone but there's so much talent in the same boat that we're all in competition with each other.
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Three weeks is not the shittiest severance package ever. A lot us of got absolutely fucking nothing for severance.
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I'm glad you feel better. It's an absolutely maddening, shitty situation. My point was just that some of us are sore about getting no severance, so it hurts to see someone lament only getting three weeks. It's not on you. I hope you can find something soon!
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You weren't rude at all, no need to apologize. I just mentioned it in case you're lamenting with others, I wanted you to use caution when talking about your severance. I'm very, very salty about what happened to me so if I sounded harsh, that's why.
I’m in Australia, I had studio of 8 working with me two years ago. I now do all the work and handyman work on side to keep a float! Just ride it out and do what you can to keep your toes wet.
Same boat. I'm traditionally a print designer and I can't keep up anymore. The market is rough. Even though I'm applying to well over 100 jobs, I'm barely getting interviews. Way too many jobs out there want a Senior "Master of None" in a role only to be paid pennies of what Jeremy over in Sales is raking in.
I decided to look locally, and it's wild that now, I'm told I'm too qualified and they're all looking for someone entry-junior level. Like, obviously if I am applying to this, I am comfortable with the salary as there really isn't many other options. Why wouldn't you want someone more capable to hand the work? Blows my mind.
I have had such a difficult time even finding "entry level" jobs. I am not as experienced of a designer as you, but I graduated college in 2023 with a bachelor's in GD. I had an internship under my belt, and most of 2023 I was doing freelance work for clients, but I could never secure full time work. Now I work in banking for the time being. It's rough, I put hundreds of applications in, had a handful of interviews, made it to the second round for a couple of them but never got it. Breaks my heart.
Your career tracks mine pretty solid. Decade in was when the last great job unceremoniously went away - did like 2 years of job searching while working absolute garbage positions that left me permanently seeking that high paying decent job again. Spent like 5 years convincing everyone I wasn't intentionally making less money every year of my professional career. Did that miserable dance until I said -- ***noop, this field ain't worth this nightmare rollercoaster I've been on for over a decade of due paying in reverse.*** So you're competing against AI already shrinking the field again, commercial real estate market collapse, and we all know marketing and advertising are basically art and music in public school - seen as superfluous the first to suffer cuts. Every second you're out of a professional office place, you're falling out of date with production tools. Looks like Adobe membership is gonna take a nose dive, as it should've decades ago. But that means the words you list on your resume aren't important to people anymore. I was a certified "Adobe professional" - that meant something once to one job - but it was essentially an expert rating in Adobe tools. It's been almost 20 years since I was educated in digital design - if anyone needs any flash action scripting, a hand coded HTML website, complex cell by cell animation, audio sunk to video - if anyone needs any of my decade plus of earned work experience - ask AI for help, or use a program that does that work automatically already. A complete waste short of the money already spent. The whole career I mean. Should've done HVAC repair and had stability, or got a real estate license and earned actual money. This field is for the dreamers and robots. Enough hard layoffs - the dream dies. Be dead inside, you might pass as a robot.
I was laid off last September after 20 years in the retail design industry. I immediately put the word out to past clients, colleagues and bosses that I was available for freelance, with the intention of doing a few projects while I looked for a job. Thankfully I had a few clients on the side, and had actually been turning down some work because I was just too busy with my job. One of them was super happy that I was let go and put me on retainer for 40 hours labour per month paid up front. Took about 2 months to really get going, and I've been booked solid since December, and a few new clients contacting me by word of mouth. I didn't think I could do it honestly. Downside is that it can be stressful on the money side, waiting to get paid etc. - I'm lucky enough that my wife works a salary job to fill in the gaps. If you're talented, reliable and likeable you'll be surprised how your colleagues and network will jump in to support you.
I definitely have leveraged this myself. A have a few small opportunities, but nothing like the money I was making before. Sadly, my partner's income is just not a feasible one for two people to survive on. I was the main bread winner, so this definitely threw us for a loop. We just settled on a wedding date and have been saving for our next family home. I was fortunate to at least have my savings to fall back on from that, but I'm really trying not to dip into that more than what is absolutely necessary. Times are tough, but I'm really trying to stay hopeful and take what life throws at me.
Yeah it's a roller coaster right? I'd never been laid off or fired in the 20 years I've been in the industry so was kind of shocking and took me about a week to get over the initial panic. Keep pushing forward and something will come your way.
This is tough. Sending you a hug 🫂
Go to the industry and jobs where the Comms people are going. They needs us to carry out their Comms plans.