After working in big shops for the past four years, the pull of returning to entrepreneurship is strong. Yet I don't want to go back to a full-blast sign shop. I'm too tired. Does anyone do design work for others? I would like to talk to you. Thanks.
Brad in Kansas City
[ March 24, 2005, 10:39 AM: Message edited by: Brad Ferguson ]
Posted by Stevo Chartrand (Member # 2094) on :
Yup! That's all I do now. I also worked for sign shops for 6 years. I still did a little bit of freelance design work on the side then started getting alot more interest in my design skills. Decided to go on my own 5 months ago and give it a shot.
Haven't looked back since and I am a heck of alot happier now.
Stevo
Posted by KARYN BUSH (Member # 1948) on :
stevo is da man!
Posted by Bruce Bowers (Member # 892) on :
Yes, Dana and I do design work also. We can do anything from a hand lettered script to full blown digital files for you.
Give us a call.
BTW... Stevo IS a good designer.
but so am I... Hahahahahahahahahahaha!
Posted by Bob Stephens (Member # 858) on :
I can play with you guys too!
Posted by Bruce Bowers (Member # 892) on :
Yes, you can Bob, yes, you can!
Posted by Curtis hammond (Member # 2170) on :
im goona run with the big dogs too... someday!
Posted by Frank Magoo (Member # 3950) on :
meow...
Posted by Bruce Bowers (Member # 892) on :
Aww, Frank, you telling us you are a pussy cat? Me thinks not... Hahahahahahahaha!
Posted by Brad Ferguson (Member # 33) on :
Thanks for the replies.
My employer and I have now officially parted company. Although I will miss the union scale and the steady paycheck, I will keep the excellant insurance going on my own. The issue with my employer was my value as a designer full-time as opposed to a shop guy. I may or may not do freelance design for him. We may be too far apart on price. He does not put a high value on design. Design hours are part of his office overhead. I've never seen them on an estimate sheet. I suspect many big shops work this way. I'm not really grousing, here. I chose to work for them and knew the score going in. I actually thought I could help them develop a reputation for good design in the Kansas City area. They simply aren't interested. They don't see a connection between good design and bottom line.
I've worked for three big electric shops, now, since walking away from my business in Arkansas. There has been a definite pattern in big shop thinking on design, at least, in this area. Each hires young people out of 'design school' assuming they can produce quality sign layouts. These designers actually are skilled, but only in the use of the design software (invariably Adobe Illustrator). They are not so much sign designers as keyboard operators. They are able to produce voluminous quantities of renderings on a daily basis. But their eyes glaze over when you bring up subjects like negative space. Makes you wonder what the hell they do all day in design school.
At any rate, I'm thinking to be a designer-only now. I know all the moves out in the shop (except glass blowing), but after 30 years I'm damn tired and would rather sit behind the computer. I could call myself a consultant and wear nice clothes. Geographically, I'm in the middle of a good sized town, so a narrow niche should be do-able. Basically, I'd like to talk to some people who are already doing this.
Stevo, I have some specific questions for you if you can talk sometime.
Brad in Kansas City
Posted by Jeff Fisher (Member # 5296) on :
quote:Originally posted by Brad Ferguson: ...These designers actually are skilled, but only in the use of the design software (invariably Adobe Illustrator). They are not so much sign designers as keyboard operators. They are able to produce voluminous quantities of renderings on a daily basis. But their eyes glaze over when you bring up subjects like negative space. Makes you wonder what the hell they do all day in design school...
Brad -
Ain't that the truth!
You're living in a incredibly active design community. The Kansas City AIGA Chapter would be a great resource for what is going on in the region. It would probably be worth your while to check out their local events schedule. Your talent, skills and professionalism should be welcomed by many potential clients. I'd recommend honing your business and marketing skills as you head out into the world as an independent designer. Another valuable resource would be the Creative Latitude site - lots of great articles on the design business and many other resources.
I've been doing the independent designer thing for most of the last 27 years. Feel free to contact me via email if you want to "talk" about the biz.
Best of luck - Jeff
[ March 26, 2005, 11:39 AM: Message edited by: Jeff Fisher ]
Posted by Brad Ferguson (Member # 33) on :
