[Affan]

Hi im in gr 12 and I have to start applying for university in a few weeks. I wanted to go in the graphic design business and wanted advice form other designers...like what kind of income does one make one average in a firm


thanks

[proc355]

if the only thing you're concerned about in ANY career is the income then forget it, it isn't for you

[Affan]

coming from a traditional indian family my dad is the one concerned about the income...instead of becoming the usual doctor or IT person i chose to have interest in the design industry...so i have to explain to him why i want to do this

[Bill Posters]

I know this is more easily said than done, but…

Even if you can't justify a career in design in terms of salary. but you still want to do it, do it.
Denying yourself the life and career you want simply because your father has certain expectations is one of the worst things you could do to yourself.

Design is competitive and entry salaries are typically quite low. They will vary depending on where you're aiming to work (i.e. London compared to Leicester). In London, juniors can typically expect to start around the £18k mark, but that figure can drop quite dramatically in other places around the UK.
Once you're in, career promotions and salary rises can be quite steady, presuming you demonstrate the capabilities needed to advance.

You don't say where you are - UK or elsewhere. It's worth bearing in mind that those are rough UK figures.

You can get a better, rough idea of what each stage of a design career can attract salary-wise by looking at design jobs listings. Design Week magazine could be a good place to look. The Guardian newspaper Media section is another.
There are a number of dedicated job agencies for the design industry. Trawling their sites should help establish a clearer picture regarding salaries, expectations.


Be honest with your father, but if it's something you really want to do, impress upon him that it's what you want. Given that it's your life that's most effected by the decision, what you want to do as a career should be the most important thing.

Be true to yourself. If it's really what you want, go for it.
The fact that you're willing and able to overcome family expectations will stand you in good stead later, as it's not always going to be easy entering such a competitive industry.

Good luck.

[dorilla studios]

i am also at the same place in my life as Affan, i thought about going into web/graphic design as a career, but thinking about it kills my inspiration because of all the constant worrying about money and also because my parents do not think it is a good idea... so i decided to keep it a hobby for now and see what happens in the coming years

[pgo]

Originally Posted by dorilla studios

i am also at the same place in my life as Affan, i thought about going into web/graphic design as a career, but thinking about it kills my inspiration because of all the constant worrying about money and also because my parents do not think it is a good idea... so i decided to keep it a hobby for now and see what happens in the coming years

Based on the site you posted in showcase, you should be fine. You're ahead of the pack already.

Problem is, there are no good university programs for web design. If you're interested primarily in design, then look at Graphic Design. If you're interested primarily in development (anything from XHTML/CSS to PHP, RoR, etc) consider Computer Science. I majored in Painting & Drawing and didn't start learning HTML (let alone CSS, JavaScript/DOM, PHP, and MySQL) until I was a senior in college (2003/2004), so I'm still catching up.

You can make a good living. I don't "constantly worry about money". I have a full-time job with full benefits (health, dental, vision, 401K) in a laid back atmosphere. I'm pretty comfortable in the mid-$30Ks at nearly two years in my first professional web development job.

I'm on the low-end of the spectrum because of where I live. There are people who make a lot more. There are people who won't ever make over $60K and there are people who will make $200K (eventually). It all depends on your skill and experience.

The Point: If you take a career just to earn money - not because you enjoy it - you will be utterly miserable for the rest of your life.

You can make a comfortable living doing anything as long as you're good at it. And for that you have to work your ass off. You get out of it what you put into it (ambition is key).

[paper_box]

I am a graphic designer today because i didnt want to study IT, Business, Science and Engineering!

What's your real excuse?

=)

[hem]

to affan :

I am also from INDIA (delhi). i would suggest you to go in this field, if and only if u want to do something creative.

I agree that salary is very less for fresherS, but after 2+ yr exep u can get a package of 30k+( IN INDIAN CURRENY) and i think this amount is not bad in india, at least u can live with peace

Again, mind you ,it depands on ur creativity and they way u think.

So gud luck,and enjoy

[sub]

What's with all this talk about money?
If you're passionate about design and are willing to work hard - initially for very little money (I started on £7k pa) then go for it.

The Industry is already saturated with fuck wits that treat the job like any 9 to 5. So if you're not in it for the creative challenges that graphic design offers then it ain't for you.

[Do Gooder]

My advise is follow what you are good at and enjoy doing. If money is important to you then the creative industries are generally a big fat no no.

I don't earn anything near my peers who are Doctors,IT geeks, Financial Services types etc. etc... But I love what I do and I earn enough to live a comfortable life.

[Alexanda]

i earn a fuckin fortune and drive a ferrari.

[Do Gooder]

all from the sales of pin badges.

[Redemption]

I was still in high school and I was offered a $40,000 and $55,000 job at major corporations without even possessing a high school diploma yet. Honestly, it's all about what company, the position, the skill level, and how lucky you are at finding the job at the right time.