Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Monday, February 16, 2009
Name calling
What’s the point of titles anymore? Are they really an indicator of success? Talent? Years in business?
I’m asking this because I have no idea. I’ve been called a lot of things in my almost twenty years as a designer. And it’s not what you’re thinking. I’ve been an art director, associate creative director, senior designer. It used to be that titles had relevance. That you couldn’t become a senior designer without first being a designer. That art directors often came after designer. But now, I see job postings (yes, even in this economy) for art directors with two years experience. Two years? I was doing production work two years after college. I didn’t like it, and was actually fired for it, but still. I had to pay my dues. And I did. I worked long hours. I commuted. I got paid a salary that barely paid for a 450 square foot apartment.
But that was than. Now I come to the table a seasoned professional. I’m paid for my experience and the work that I can deliver. Call it what you will. And I mean that.
I’m asking this because I have no idea. I’ve been called a lot of things in my almost twenty years as a designer. And it’s not what you’re thinking. I’ve been an art director, associate creative director, senior designer. It used to be that titles had relevance. That you couldn’t become a senior designer without first being a designer. That art directors often came after designer. But now, I see job postings (yes, even in this economy) for art directors with two years experience. Two years? I was doing production work two years after college. I didn’t like it, and was actually fired for it, but still. I had to pay my dues. And I did. I worked long hours. I commuted. I got paid a salary that barely paid for a 450 square foot apartment.
But that was than. Now I come to the table a seasoned professional. I’m paid for my experience and the work that I can deliver. Call it what you will. And I mean that.
Urban Decompression
Last year my husband did a career switch. From twenty year in sales, he went back to school to become a licensed clinical massage therapist. At the time some people thought it was a crazy idea. But as someone who gets headaches, I was more than thrilled. It turns out, I do not get massages on demand. But I do get to design all his marketing materials. Last week we relaunched his website. With more of a focus on what's going on with the economy and the benefits of companies using massage as part of their overall wellness program. Why am I blogging about this? Because I think it's important, no matter what your business, that you keep up with what's going on. That might mean tweaking your message a bit, enhancing your story with different visuals, or even creating new marketing pieces. But no matter what, you need to stay relevant. If you're product or service isn't something that people need, than find a way to make them want it. I know I always want a massage. I just need to find a way to get one.
Domino Magazine. I will miss you.
It saddens me that Domino magazine just went under.I find it one of the greatest magazines out there. Every month I look forward to it. I find it not only inspirational but attainable. Unlike Architectural Digest, which always looks like no-one ever lives in those places. And if they do, they don't have kids or pets. There's something so inviting about the spaces shown in that magazine. And it always renews my love (and fear) of wallpaper.
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