hello
i think some of you may remember me ranting about work. well, it hasn't improved. i just wanna continue on to find some reasons in this world to continue to be a graphic designer.
i'm a junior designer at the moment. i've got a friend who started working as junior designer together with me in the same studio. she progressed very smoothly and since has received two pay rises; whereas me still as before, like a newly employed junior, doing typesetting day in and day out. no pay rise, it's been 10 months. i get no positive treatment, only belittlement. i know she's the favourite among the two of us.

but one thing bugs me is, if a junior designer isn't getting the creative guidance and isn't given the opportunity to participate in pitch work, what should he/she (in this case, i) do?

everyday i feel like a broken record, doing the same thing over again. every pitch work or big projects doesn't involve me. when i give my opinion, it's like it's not important. am i getting mistreatment or this is part of the training?

this 'bad' experience (however it may be without getting into details) starting to make me lose faith in graphic design. i feel i'm not competent at all, not worth employing. i just feel so little. i know i'm one of a kind designers because i've won national awards for my designs. i'm just not getting used the right way. should i stay on or have a word with my boss? they know they haven't been given me creative work and they promised to change that. but this hasn't happened for 10 months. should i waste my talents here or go somewhere?

i heard that it is the office culture to fight for your job. if there's a job i really wanted to do, i had to fight for it, like go to speak to the boss and insisted that they give me the job. isn't this a bit bitchy or is this common?

anyway, any advice will be taken in. i am really down and really dunno what i should do. i'm kinda lost but dun wanna give up graphic design. i love design too much but i can't stand not getting involved.

thanks in advance.

There has to be a reason why your friend has had 2 pay raises and you haven't seen anything.

It is very common in this industry for people to think they have more talent than they actually have, is this the case for you? Have you thought about that before?

If you are 100% Sure that you are a talented graphic designer, then you should speak with your boss. However, before you go and speak with him/her, make sure you know what you want to say. Write down all your complaints on paper, write down feasible solutions to each of the complaints/problems you are having.

If you talk to your boss in a logical manner, rather than 'this is boring i want in on the big stuff' type attitude you are likely to see improvements.

Are there other people in the office less talented than you, that are working on projects you would like to be working on? Are you the most talented for what you are currently working on? ect ect.

What you are working on has to be done by someone, if you are the best at it, then that could be why you are the one stuck doing it rather than getting into what you actually want to do. I know from personal experience, if you are to good at a specific thing, and nobody can compare, then even if you are great at something else, they will want to keep you there, because you do a better job than anybody else on that specific task.

If you speak with your boss and demand immediate change and it is not given to you, start applying for jobs at other firms/agencies. But dont be to fast to burn bridges till you are guaranteed a job somewhere else.

That is rough having to compare yourself to your friend on a daily basis. You need to stop that if you can otherwise you will make yourself sick.

You possibly could be coming off as not conifdent in the work place. My first step would be to talk to your boss and ask who you can move up within the company. Do NOT under any circumstances compare your situation with your friend, do not even mention his/her name. This is about YOU and how YOU can get ahead and be a benefit to the company.

Ask what areas he thinks needs improvement. If your boss is reluctant to offer suggestions on how to improve yourself, find another job. He has no interest in you. That sounds cold, but it's the truth. If he is too concerned to invest time to make you better so the department is better then you need to move on. He is not looking at the big picture.

Good luck.

thanks for the advice. i will have a think about it.

i can't say i'm the most talented in the studio but they did say my portfolio was their favourite and i was their first preference. it all too hard to explain but because i was new to this field in the beginning when i started, i took me a while to gather my bearing at things. so, they just made the judgment based on one project i did that i'm not creative. since then, i had been given finished art and typesetting jobs, while the other designers work on pitch work. it's really obvious to a point that they would have me work on the others' work while they were taken off to work on new pitches. why couldn't i have a go?

i always asked myself if i were talented like that said and i realised that my portfolio is very strong but they're looking for a more "realistic" designs, more commercially accepted; whereas my work in my portfolio has strong concepts and original ideas. they love that but at the same time they controlled me very much. they wouldn't let me have my own concept. i'm always working on someone else's concept even i don't think they're strong enough. they wouldn't let me have a go. when i suggest something, they would disregard it as if i'm too green to know any better. it's really condescending.

i don't compare myself to my friend. she's a different designer. but because the work she did was her style, she excelled, where i was told to design their way. i struggled. i can't be someone's puppet. my creative director hates typography approach to poster for instance but that's my style. she doesn't like minimal design, she loves lots of colours, as 70s as much as possible, she'd love it. i'm not of that era. i love minimal design, sophisticated ones too.

i did some awesome logo designs but that's was it. since then i didn't get a chance to work on identity or advertising. i don't want to compare myself to anyone but to be singled out like that is horrible when it's an open office. i can see how they treat others and myself. i sometimes don't even get "hi" or whatever. they would always just care about the other designers and i'm just there to do the boring work like finished art. i feel so left out.

i dunno. maybe i should have a word with the boss.

If you post your portfolio on here to get an additional critique you may learn some things.

If your director has a certain style that he/she prefers if you want to work for that studio you need to adjust to that style, the company probably has a reputation for providing that style so putting a new graphic designer with a completely different style can change their image as a company.

Look at it from a broader spectrum. If they are known for a specific look or style and they pop something completely different out, their clients whom choose their firm specifically for the style they are known for, will probably be disappointed, and the image of their business would change.

Every company has a style that their clients know them for and love them for. You can't march in and say that's not your personal style so you should do something different, if that's the case, go to another firm who caters to your specific style. Some firms have a very broad spectrum of their 'style' and are very versatile. But from what you've said, it would seem the firm you are currently working for has a very specific look that they produce and want to keep that image.

i think when you're starting out in design, in alot of ways its not good to work for a company, because alot of companies limit you to what you can do. you have to follow their guidelines, even if you think something looks great, if they dont like it, too bad. maybe just try working on things at home on your own time and have a talk with your boss.

I think ten months is an awfully long time to not get any assignments other than typesetting and the "grunt work". Is there any other artists that are newer to the field than you? Sometimes bosses see something is "working" with the staff and their duties, so they don't want to upset the apple cart, by moving you out of that position. Speak to your boss about your desires for more experience in different areas. If he doesn't budge or blows smoke up your hiney and you see no exciting assignments coming your way, it may be time to find a new job.

Not knowing anything about you but what's written, it's easy to sit here and sympathize. Like I said, I don't know anything about you. Is/has your attitude become transparent on the job? Do you mutter to yourself, sigh a lot, eye roll, gossip, or any of those other things that can be picked up by others? Have you become passive-aggressive?

Your boss could be a total jerk - I've had quite a few of those myself, but I'm not easy to get along with in a lot of cases. My way's the only way, know what I mean? So take a good look at your actions before asking the boss for his thoughts. Don't go in saying "these are my thoughts, what are you going to do about them?".

yeah, ten months, all i did was finished art and typesetting (annual reports). i always ask myself if i had said anything wrong or done something really offensive but i get along well with everyone! not one person says i'm impossible to get to know. i know i like to be more passive in the office cos i hate getting involved in office politics. i occasionally get frustrated with the computer. i hate to be boss around though or talk to condescendingly, which happens all the time just because i seem passive.

my creative director did say that when things settle down a bit more, i will be given more pitch work as they've said they want get my "designs" out of me, so they have to give me the opportunity. they also said that they schedule work according to designers' strength. that said, means i'm not very creative. here's my portfolio, judge for yourself http://www.leannechow.com

sigh... they told me to wait, and they told me they want my style to be one of their company's style. they didn't want me to design their ways but at the same time i'm controlled in a lot of ways. i understand that the clients we have, already have their style guides but i wish i get more pitch work, where no limit on style guides.

it almost feels like they need someone to do the typesetting and finished art while the others work on creative work. well, someone's gotta do it. but without the opportunity to prove myself creatively, i can't get a pay rise. i'm still stuck with minimal wage with lots of bills to pay. someone did mention in the office that hardworking staff will not be rewarded, only those who constantly proving themselves. tell me if it's fair.

sigh... i guess i'll have to think a bit harder before i make any decision on what to do.

I would definitely talk to the boss. As someone else in here has already said, make it about you and your advancement and not about anyone else. If they still don't give you any work, I would start looking for another job. Another boss may be very supportive, this just might not be the right environment for you.

If the situation occurs again in a new location, then maybe graphic design isn't your thing. But it sounds like you love it so don't give up yet!

This may not be the answer your looking for, but from a corperate standpoint...10 months isn't much time, even a year sometimes as much as 2 or 3 have to be under your belt, before the step you up, hand over more responsibilty, and give you promotions and raises.

As far as your coworkers, irrelivant what is or isn't there compensation or work load. You can't compare yourself. I think you just need to ask yourself some hard hitting question on the position, the key one, Are you willing to pay your dues? You got the job, and yes it is more the grunt work of the design process,but there is logic to it. Most companies want to see your work ethic, prior to adding to your responsibilty, they want to know you are willing to take on the menial tasks first, and do them well, to build your understanding from the ground up of the company you work for. They want to see your attitude, is in the right place, that you can meet a deadline, that your work is quality, and consistent, and that you are willing to ride it out, and not jump ship, or gain experience and then jump ship.

The next is your superiors, are you asking to "help" not why I didn't get a chance on projects comming in. Are you putting forth "extra effort" and asking if they can add to your work load, or merely looking at the other designers and complaining that you don't get to do this. Speaking from the side of Management, I can tell you, It was already an investment, just to hire you in, and train you, so corperate goes slow alot of times, to see if you are going to stick around, before handing over projects. I can't tell you how many times I heard people, complain they haven't got a raise, and yet haven't even been there a full year...Most jobs just don't do this, shoot for the first 3 months you are only considered a probrationary employee...that is why benefit packages require at least this minimum if not a year before kicking in.

So if you are truely unhappy, you have to decide is the company your working for worth the dues in the long run, or is this a dead end job for you. Only you can truely answer this, Not by comparision, but by what are you doing right now, what have you discussed with your superiors, and what is availble for you in the job market if you leave. It took me 3 years before I was promoted, and only got annual pay raises prior to this, for my day job outside of design...but I have worked in enough corporate gigs, to understand the politics, and how they advance, and to be honest 10 months on anyjob, unless you are some marvel to employers, is just not enough time to evaluate where you fit in, and what your capacity will be in thier enviorment.

What is your title? It could be appropriate for what you are doing. If you are a Production Artist, that would encompass what you are doing with minimal concepting. and length fo time doesn't amtter if the title is job appropriate. You are either a master chef or your not, doesn't matter how long you've been there, right?

Again, I suggest you speak to yor boss about your advancement. You havent' done this yet? Well, over this weekend, why don't you write down some thoughts and questions, let us review it and give you pointers. (I will be in Vegas, so shoot me an email before hand if you wish and if you do something like this.)

And you said: "and they told me they want my style to be one of their company's style." As many have said here, you will have to design within their limits and you will have to apply their style. Not doing so will kill your advancement. Period.

I agree with Celks. It really is not uncommon to have to get maybe 2 or 3 years under your belt. I can tell you that your bosses probably are looking at things like work ethic and professionalism in every little thing you do (even little things like capitalizing words ). If you are really unhappy with your situation maybe start looking for another job, but don't leave your current job. It's always nice to be able to look for a job from a job, and potential employers respect that more. But I'd be willing to bet that if you take a super positive and professional attitude to work every day and put that into every thing you do, you will get noticed. I would talk to your boss too. I would talk to him and make it all about you and show him/her what you've done since you've been there, and give valid reasons on why you deserve more. And most importantly show them that you are passionate about what you do. Nothing in life is worth doing unless you give a damn about it. I love to see the guys I have under me with their nose in the screen and completly focused on what they are doing. That shows me passion.

Whichever way you choose to go, I wish you luck!

I like your portfolio and I think you're talented. I really think it's a matter of you doing your job, so well, they don't want to move you to a more creative position. It's a catch 22. At entry level, people get stuck with typesetting, clean up and other grunt work. The entry level employee does their job to the best of their ability, hoping they'll move up. A lot of times, the boss doesn't want to have a revolving door in the entry level position, so he just leaves the entry level employee at entry level. A similar thing happened to me, so I left that company for a new postition.