haha.... Few months ago, my elder sis gave me a link on Top 10 High Paid Job, and one of the Top 10 is Designer.  And I told my sis that, this is not true in M'sia, unless you are an Art Director or Creative Director.

I'm considering lucky after I read all of your posts here, coz, I'm a Communication Degree holder, but loves designing, so start my job as graphic designer at RM1k + RM200 petrol allowance and I work for only 1 month....hahhaha...

Then continue study in IT as I see the future have high possibility in moving to IT world which maybe related to design and here we called it UI/animation/interactive stuffs.  So after grad from IT, I try to change my job to IT field but fail as the manager (Marketing HOD) loves me very much as I can communicate well in 3 languages spontaneously (dunno why and this is the reason she gave me???) but I work for 2 months only and get paid at RM1.6k as management trainee.

Then move to another entertainment company as graphic designer for 1 year at the paid of RM1.8k....ya la...GD cum Web designing....haiz...no mention has involve in alittle bit of IT (WTF??? ..... ask me to wait for IT guy to check server?? I'm a designer ler!!)  Cakap oni probation 6 mths but then drag till 1 year!!! WTH!!!... When I want to resign, then only they said wanna confirm me!! shit them!! But, no bother, just resign and move to a software company until now.

So, as usual, workload byk, stress byk till you dun really know what is STRESS ... but can train up ur speed...can finish a design in few minutes or few seconds ..... had chances to go oversea to help in UI development, have chance to learn new technology and the salary gurantee increase every year and of course based on ur performance...

*this company not so bad la...coz..when I 1st join, they pay ard RM2.xk, within a year increase about RM1k...then every year increase lagi ler....plus bonus and now, consider as senior staff although the title is not, but enjoying good good benefits .....

Not bad. At least you quite successful liao. Can share your portfolio?

haha...now specialize in Intranet UI development and other multimedia interactive thing.... so...mostly P&C lorrr......   

But if you want to, can check out at any music store .... give u hints:
1. The most famous entertainment company that produce CNY albums in M'sia...try to look at year 2007 and 2008 ...yup..that's mine
2. The logo is like a triangle.
3. See the changes before 2007 design and till 2008 .... I don't really know it, but it does gives a big impact to the fans or buyer about the design as the operation department get good feedback from the fans saying the design is totally different than previous years....    The design has goes till oversea and other country (erherm erherm...) trying to mimic my design to produce erherm erherm copy ... (bad huh.... )
4. All albums that produce within 2007-2008 is mine design.....including movie or single album cover, banner and poster ......

haha.... Few months ago, my elder sis gave me a link on Top 10 High Paid Job, and one of the Top 10 is Designer.  And I told my sis that, this is not true in M'sia, unless you are an Art Director or Creative Director of MNC agency / company.

I believe if people have good portfolio and communication skill, they can get high salary.

Anyway I am 21 years old this year
How about you guys?

How about we share some portfolio here? Good Idea? so we can see each other better.
and What do you guys think if people take double job in a company as example become Web and Graphic Designer together or etc.
Maybe we can demand higher?

This is obvious. However, it is not about how good you are, but how much value you can create for client and how willing your employer want to pay u.

I'm 27

You mean double job scope. You can demand higher, maybe additional 200-300 that's all. It is not about how good you are, it is the value you can create for your client. If your client pay peanut for design, even you are world no.1 designer you will only get  1/4 peanut (the rest go to company and other staff).

degree holder can go for 2k+

yeah maybe we should have  a standard salary for graphic designer..our job more to skill base

from my experience with my senior..some company pay u too low and working with long hours..

the result is u can't perform..yes we like to design and passionate towards it..but what is the meaning of passion when u almost eat nasi putih with ikan bills everyday + u pay ur PTPTN + car loan+ rumah sewa also ( if u live on your own lah )..some more debt with ptptn..

really will make ur morale down afterwards..i like to work long hours..that what suppose we do when we are still young..

another things is about the freelance work..i set my mind if they pay u about RM60-RM80 for doing any design..i spend it about 2 -4 hours maximum for that job...because i know that is nonsense if I stay all night just doing that..usually if client pay u low is becoz they are the middle man..who love "kerja atas angin" things..at the end of the day..these middle men actually asked a few more designer to design the same things..at last u can't even get paid but u doing that designs for hours..that how designer being treated..some client just pay half only (I kene a lot of times)

I think designer just good on its name only..even cashier at Giant or Jusco can earn RM 1500 per month if they working long hours..believe me..no stress no deadline..(just to compare fresh graduates paid only la bcoz cashier don't have any "cashier director" )

I heard a lot that even corporate companies also hire internal designer.. they pay u well though and u go back as early as 6 p.m..that is another alternative..

Designer's life is sad. I have 5 years experience and my salary now is less than yours now. I was thinking of jumping out of the circle too. Designer is a job that doesn't get acknowledgement and appreciation.

Wow is graphic design is really sad job here?
Here my chronology of my life as a graphic designer

2008 -- graduate in Degree in Multimedia
2009 -- work at a magazine publishing - salary rm 1500 - contract 1 year (this company is SOB, the boss rather hired intern rather than me)
2010 -- work at a event company - salary rm1600 - but resign in mid 2010 cause the company gonna bankruptcy (can you believe my worth 2 month salary given a Burberrry/prada bag buy in China)
2010 mid to present - working at the design advertising company, start salary RM1500 - after 3 month work here, my increment is, RM50. Yes people, RM50. SO my salary now is RM1550.

3 years experience, with a Degree in Multimedia, you salary is RM1550. FML.

In short, its up to the company and your experiences and skills. Make sure you got a nice portfolio. 

the vote result is just disappointing.. how about multimedia designer? Also the same? heart-breaking..