i really understand the common situation.
but also depend which design fields you are at.
if your company just do signboard/ printing or factory mass production(doesnt need daily challenge, one design thousand copy products),
then you better sit and think about the future of design career.

most graphic designer will come across this stage.
how much design fee will the client willing to pay for name card or signboard?

you may end up like "there a lot of big clients or company out there, fren" "they hav lot of money too"

well, big client/company usually they hav panel too. they dun simply outsource.
the college always get graphic student brainwash, that they will lay the on tv or movie advertising job once they grad.
i dont think so. it need more that just graphic to get that job.

Honestly, we designer must do everything regardless on our field. The payment are still the same, have u heard this funny quote before"Msia is a jack of trade country but master of none" , funny but true.

I somehow agree wif u. My fren graduated a multimedia designer but end up working for a company that does exhibit decors. Everyday use scissors to cut ribbons, iron fabrics, arrange mannequins, and move plastic trees around the concourse for the 'best view possible'. Very hands-on. Anything soft skill nice u see in shopping complexes hes done it b4.

He's earning RM2.5K leh....4 yrs experience. But to me I think it really adds up to nothing lorr since hes nothing mastering anything. Hes gud at flash but not using it at work nor does he do freelance. Kinda u know.....

I have been working in design for just 6 months my pay were 1.5k only but i wont complain as design payout is normally below 2k unless you're senior.

but did you asked him wether he is happy with the things he's doing now??
i mean i know some guy who's talented in doing designing related stuff, but changed his career to a carpenter simply because he likes to work with wood more than computer.... so...

He says he love his job very much, even though he never got his bonus.
But he hates his colleagues who have beeen very incorporative with him.

Say, is ur fren happy with the pay? What is ur frens future plans?
Coffin furnishing?

as long as your friend happy and we know that is the life that he/she want.
so it is nothing to talk about.
everyone have a choice, make it or not is another way of talk.

even a coffin maker is a job,
no body is truely happy about the job unless you enjoy working it (just like your friend does)
once you enjoy it, there is always a different story.

either you reach that stage or not.

he's not really a friend of mine.......just an acquittance some sometime ago....
well not sure about his pay as i never as him this question he just said that if he's doing something he's happy or passionate thats the thing that matters...other jusxt treat as an obstacle to reach your goal....or something along that line...


well...exactly what cymon said...

i've been a designer in the fashion industry for 4 years and only reaching 2k now. i started out with only 1.2k

which label you working for?

For me money is not very important at all........

It's about dignity if u ask me, money come second..............

currently for xixili. this is my 4th job

xixili, nice company.

4th job? a year or after grad.?

very interesting job.
time will tell my fren, pay raise is not only judge base
on how long you work or how much you work.
it also judge the experience, skill, comunicate, performance, maturity and last not least : political.

every big company hav their system of pay raise.
3 to 4 years to a big company is nothing. they looking for long term employee relationship sometime.

Woaa.....really arr...?

At least their was a brighter side.....(Even when modelling a thing is fun,but sometimes it will take along times since there is need for a great motivation to continue....)

BTW,I working with other friends for RFactor ultimate modding,Virtua LM(Which is World Sportscar Championships from last decade,consisting from Group C racecars,to Group B touring cars)

For now the progress is abit slow since I somehow abit "lost"......
lo9tsa work still going on...& now I need to study.....

relax,
few years later when you see your sucess, you will tell yourself " it really worth"
everyone been to hard way.
at least in early stage you got foundation.
keep up the good work, my friend.

i started working after grad at age 20. i am now 24. i hopped jobs coz i haven't exactly found the right line to go into.

yea good thing my company now got annual increment policy. my previous companies dun have such thing, one reason why i left. work so hard but no reward = lost motivation

ouch....thats like the biggest motivation breaker ever....
anyway...good luck with the current company

thanks... so far so good la. god steady annual increment and generous bonus. its the longest i've ever stayed in a job lol... 1 year 9 months

good to hear that from u.

see? every company paly by their own rule.
hopefully will see some collection design from you in future

Yes, and no... its highly situational, For me i work for a post prod house, it pays fairly well i work as a motion graphic designer. Doubled what my basic pay of 1.8 in 3 yrs. Money aside you got to love what you do first, the money will come once you are able to proof your self then again this applies to certain companies, most take you as cheap labor... and with no real designer union of sorts, the standard varies from company to company, selecting the right place to work is damn if not EXTREMELY important... Before selecting a company to work you should have a goal in mind. For me i wanted to make contacts, with people in the root of the industry... those contacts will prove lucrative in the near future. Selling your self (not in a prostitute sense) but being able to communicate, and interact with people is equally as important as ur skill with a wacom making the right contacts, will help you more, financially and career wise.

Also its important to note, the malaysian market is small to start with... i dont know about other design lines... but for my area of expertise, it is truly small. I roughly estimate there are 10-11 good post production houses in Malaysia. If you average out the number of designers they hire roughly 4 it gives roughly 44 spots in a good company where it will help you grow as a designer/finincially... now compare 44 seats with the number of graduates who want to join this line..... And this belum kira, the fact how many openings there are in the 1st place!... and if there is one they usually pass it to someone they know in the line of work.... go figure why our starting pay is so low.... bosses can afford to pay us low because there is a long line behind you...

If money is really not the issue then i dont think the term "prostitute market" applies in the first place, cause then you are an artist. Designers are rich when they are alive, artist are rich when they are dead. ~ rich isnt just money it could be fame, respect, etc.

I know way too many people who decided to go freelance just to realize they don't know enough people to get good decent freelance work. In the end they sell their skills to the lowest bidder screwing up the market even more. Personally if you ask me, i would not suggest new grads to pursue this route, till you are decently establish.

This post has been edited by phizzy: Mar 28 2008, 03:47 PM