Hi, guys thank you for the pool, just want to know the Malaysian survey hehehe

This post has been edited by d3by: Dec 13 2010, 12:13 PM

depends on company lah , a friend of mine is making 1.7k + allowances as an inhouse graphic designer in some electric appliance company of some sort. a few others in ad agencies starting salary 1.5k without allowance , a few are making 2.5k after a few years.

'good' is subjective but expecting 3k as starting salary is too much

degree holder can go for 2k+

i think graphic designers have a more subjective range. ive seen some really impressive ones even before they finish their diploma (started at 2.5k). maybe 3k+ if he was a grad. u did dip or deg?

Advanced diploma, ooo i see, so i have to see the company first is it?

It really depends on the company or the boss man. Most of them treat graphic designers as 'unnecessary jobs' and give quite low salary coz they don't understand what we're doing. They feel that for us, it is a piece of cake, thus we do not deserve high salary.

Somemore Graphic Designer occupation is not regarded as Professional job in Malaysia, giving them more reason to not give high salary. This is the Malaysian's mindset nowadays and it's very depressing.

Spread the love of Graphic Design!! heh

so much for 1Malaysia huh?

You are very lucky if can get 1800. Even web designer only get around that 1800 - 2200. Diploma or degree won't affect your salary to be honest.

Since they mentioned about commercial work. I believe your boss expect you to do more those fast project type like "product big big" "FREE" kind of work which require less concept.

depends on the position you aim for. Basically a real designer should have the ability to analyze the need and objective of the project, recommend suitable art style, design the visual that tele with the marketing diretion and make sure it entice the target audience.

Those software skill like illustrator, photoshop, flash and dreamweaver are just tools. even if someone master the tools, without the skills mentioned above it is nothing more than brainless factory worker.

sigh.. oh well.. u know I know la..

Couldn't agree more with you.. heh.. also add on knowing how to apply concept and idea

my first salary as a graphic designer.. Rm400 work like hell in advertising shop for whole year.. god experience though.. no increment.. epf potong rm20

wtf?? with diploma?? for experience-yes, for long term/health - big NO man.. haha

how the f u survive with that?

yup diploma.. since i got no experience back then.. i accept what job i can get...

ikat perut lo.. gaji paid weekly... everyday masak nasik goreng.. cekodok.. pay day beli ayam pastu goreng.. priceless.... rent home with student..

but the work atmosphere is great.. chinese shop.. asia advertising at muar.. boss damn great.. although cannot spell and read malay and english properly.. his knowledge in adobe software is great... thats why i stay there, learn everything from design to welding. i also had to help sometime when want to pasang the signboard.. so now after retired i got knowledge and want to open my own shop.. now makan gaji only...

not trying to be rasist la...but really depends on ur boss and also of cause ur skills la, if ur boss is chinese, expect him to be a cheapskate la fyi i myself is chinese.

the important is... u need a good company tat can develop nice portfolio...

So tat u can nego high salary for the job...

wah, where was the shop? i mean which state?

IMHO, you pay depends on your portfolio but not until few months of working, that is if your a fresh grad.

If you are already a senior, which means u have worked in the same design firm/studio for at least a year, you can get more out of your portfolio,

you know just act like you wanna quit, or just talk to your boss, of course you need to do this when you seem to be an asset to the company, it would be easier to do this in a small studio rather than a big firm, they might just fire you.

im just working as a graphic and web designer at KL here. my pay is only 1.7k starting. my boss said after confirmation then my salary will rise 15%. my salary is the lowest amongst my fren. some of them 2.5k, eventhough we're all fresh grad with so-so portfolio. and he's just graphic designer only. not doing web shite like me

In malaysia, if you really want to earn, you have to be one of the best,

you have to be that someone studios/firms die for, they want you so much they would even ask you how much you want as your salary.

In a different perspective, don't design for money, design because you love designing, when you have this mindset, you would definitely have a good portfolio.

no degree or diploma stated......its based on ur experienced....as long as i remember, every interview i attend to, the company never asked for ur dip or degree....they just wanted to see ur artwork....in this particular line of work, the skills is what they needed most.....not the other way around....

Just some add on, if you can improve more on skill n exp + interested in teaching. Then lecturer oso is a good target to aim for.

If you have a strong portfolio plus the job requirements requires a lot of creativity, you can definitely go for $2-3k ish..

Of course you can always settle for $1.5 - $2k first and start working, maybe after 3-4 months can start asking for a raise

Hi, Thanks for the answers guys hehehe

This post has been edited by d3by: Dec 13 2010, 12:13 PM

It's all depending on the company itself as for me i used to a graphic designer in 1 advertising company. they just pay me for 1,800...

But the workload...

haha..3k salary for starter is too much
if 3d animator i no comment lah

its quite subjective, depend on job scope, firm, and job experience
RM1200-1500 and RM1600-1800 just for some guideline only/

u all will shock from my 1st salary from few years back..haha

currently, for fresh grad graphic design student, 1500~1800 is consider good enough. For those who can get beyond 2k or more, either their portfolio are @_@ or they may need to get involve in other job scope ( exp marketing ). BUT!! the workload is =.="" HORRIBLE!!

*my record(currently) - 80~85 working hrs per week.

LIFELESS ~!@#$%^&*&^%$#@!~

hmm , about 1500~2500

In this range depends on your boss

Mostly graphics designers are Diploma holder , ya' need to get the Degree before you can get high salary ~ at the least

Degree wont give you high paid in malaysia. If you have degree but your portfolio like crap, no one want to hire you also.

Not more than RM2k, sadly...

Also, depend the area where u work. Damasara, PJ, kepong , sri hartamas, can get more pay, but the stuff there (food & parking) cost u alot. (yes, u can earn more in EPF).

Good luck.

thats Najib for us

still, designer need to pick extra work, i mean, just working for one company wouldnt brings enough income.
take time and find some other clients

What do u guys think about doing web designer? I think become web designer is better than graphic sallary or maybe do both?
I think depens on company, how serious they are to find people.

web designer? all i could say, web master got a better pay

what abt the average pay for Graphic Designer in kuching? does anyone noe?

for me... cert is important there, maybe because tat is not a design based company..
my salary is not high, but much higher than those with more experience.. always keep the slip as private as possible

what's the benefit between degree / diploma cert to a designer ?

if you're working with Government, thats mean, degree will have higher paid
if you're working with non-gov company, thats mean, not much differ (they judge by your work), maybe a cooler resume(with degree title), yes

Company want good experience, attitude & passion.

Im have no Diploma. Im ex-graphics designer. Now 3D Artist. Good luck

Better to open your own business design. Improve your skill and artwork. I think that web designer's salary is higher than graphic designer?

It is suck to know that u working 13 hours a day and u earn 1800k per month..like my friends also..they ask u work like "hamba"

I got interview last week at some company in Damansara and they just offer me 1800k..how to life with living cost in Damansara?

Just my two cent..u can work with advertising field but stop after 3-4 years then u go for lecturer/start ur own business..just look out for experience only..

u can get more than rm4k's like what my fren did.. for the first time he worked at malay mail and then he change to another design company.. and then after a while when he go back to malay mail.. his sallary almost rm4ks. based on its experience..

Or go Singapore, they lack of graphic designer really. My friend work for 2-3 years already SGD4-5k monthly. Even part time get high salary as well.

I agree,

well i think a degree does help unless it's from a more unknown institution. besides your portfolio it depends entirely on how well you promote yourself. Because i remember for me...my friends and i all went for the same interview and i got the highest offer (no im not bragging) i just happen to talk more and smile more. At the end of the day, your experience counts too not only in the field of design. It's best to be a jack of all trades.

But as quoted, can't earn that much as compared to other countries. You'll have to do it solely because you enjoy designing. The effort and amount of time put in isn't worth the pay in my opinion - for Malaysia at least

This post has been edited by SentryWarX: Feb 24 2011, 10:56 AM

Very depressing indeed. Why waste your brain juices over that kind of salary, often have to work late etc when others who are doing administrative jobs have easier work life and may be earning more.

have u guys thought which company design the maxis logo? i heard it cost almost 2 mill.. was it true?

200% Agreed, Im looking for lecturer position & in planing to start own business

yes.. and u paid a lot to learn graphic design.. it iss noootttsss faiiirrssss..ssaaahh!

graphic design is low salary, depend on the company...last time is RM 1000 only.......
but compare with multimedia, Multimedia is more high then graphic design.....

I have been working in graphic & printing for 5 years..

Now do my own business..

I give my salary 3k only..

Enough for normal life..

Business getting better.. will increase soon..

yes some of my friends also like that, first work as printing...cos can easy to get freelance in (logo design, t-shirt design, brochure etc). Then when they got enough client already...they start soho first. then move to little company. rent machine & hire 1 ppl to help only. Work until 3am from monday to sunday.

If feel lifeless..u can like me...4 years changing many job...from DTP to graphic to ID to color consult....(not show off here). what i can say ..the salary r not what u prefer (designer..nama sedap...padahal tak berapa guna)....but u can learn new thing. I think i still young & can still change job again...when u getting old, hard to change to other fields, unless become boss.

"design r priceless"

i wonder why they paid us so cheap.. dont they noe we need to think harder to get a very nice layout and composition..

design salary issue XD...

I believe experienced designer in this forum can share a lot more. Being a web designer for 4 years, the career path of designers are more or less the same in Singapore. To be honest, you won't earn big bucks working as a designer.

The career path of a designer is more or less fixed at 3 routes.

1. web / graphic designer > senior designer > Art Director
2. web / graphic designer > senior designer > Account executive
3. web / graphic designer > senior deisgner > Start own business (one leg kick / boss)

If you noticed, all 3 positions require project management and ability to propose marketing solution to client. Those position actually demand very little in depth technical skill (design, coding, photoshop, after effect etc). If you really want to be successful in the design line, make sure you are learning the right skills to be a manager, sales and solution provider (consultant). Even art director must have a very good insight of the marketing direction and capable to provide solutions.

This post has been edited by B-Mecha: Feb 25 2011, 10:47 PM

graphic designer... no life... haha..

depends

I think RM1,500 to RM2,000 is the norm for GD nowadays.

Bcos academic qualification is nothing without creativity & working experience, so most company will pay a low starting salary, but after probation period and u have proven yourself to be competent at your job, then you can demand pay increase.

Use this time to gain as much on job experience as possible. Armed yourself with job experience, known the business inside out, networking and contacts, always ready to learn new things.

Be friendly to all people, have passion, have the right attitude, keep at it, and not give up.

Later, a good GD can be a Art Director, Creative Director, even design business owner. The sky is the limits.

Wow, u guys really have a mindset in Graphic Design and Web Design field...

So, if you guys love to work as graphic designer or web designer, and you guys feel that the salary isn't what u expected, are you guys not always looking for open opportunity? as example try to always check in newspaper, jobstreet, etc whether there are got a new vacancy available with better benefits? and if you guys do that, how long usually will it takes to job process, like send resume, review portfolio, interview, got called, etc?

Do u feel that work not in a design/ advertising company will be better? because if u work in not adv, or design company, the time is much more stable, no OT etc? what do you guys think?

1) regard the job seeker..u can go to lina jobstreet, job DB, zen job...asia part time..& so on... (some job maybe good but far away where u live) u chose job, job chose u..

2) Interview- some boss maybe promise u what what what when interview...then after u work & get your salary..u know the true face of your boss. For some company..resume & profolio not importance, they just want u to solve their problem.(like handle machine or chat with client, not in term of idea). After interview, u may recieved call for second time (depend on the company). if u dun receive in 1 week or 10-15 days...means u r out of their list.

3) advertising company...(what u means) do u means advertising & design company only offer design & idea???..printing a brochure or booklet also can considered as advitise. & printing also can offer design. What i can said today...many design firm mix with production factory to survive in this Malaysia market....All In one...that y u r workload "bao shan bao hai"

4)OT & work time...OT only go for low incomer like production & dtp... mostly designer don't get paid of OT, but they some time also work later...(they boss r damn good in calculate). is depend on your. regard the time stable....answer : NO....(90%) soho & self boss exclud in this issue.

5) today toooo many ppl studies graphic...& graphic software tooo easy to learn & get.....but do they offer how many position like creative director in a year? What do u think?

This post has been edited by peace230: Feb 28 2011, 01:02 PM

not depend with boss la. not agree with that fact.

its actually depend on ourself. if we demand and know our abilities we should ask more.


from my experience, most of the designer is desperately looking for job that why we accept any offer by company.

also every company know that designer is easy come easy go. u tak nak u keluar, cari lain. :facepalm:

we should set a standard about salary. so sad la jadi designer.

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..


This post has been edited by wanobi: Mar 1 2011, 07:28 AM

Cashier in Jusco may have the same money and less stress, but a cashier will never be able to become a Cashier Director in 3 yrs and get a salary of 4-5K.

Anyway, if you design guys are looking for a change of scenery and perhaps a different pay package, pls check out our job enlistment.. We're looking for a dtp designer in the range of RM1800 - RM3000, depending on skills and experience.

agree with u, once u not satisfied with ur salary, morale and determination to work sure going down.


another thing is boss minded about graphic designer i can consider some of them very stupid. they dont bother to take care of designer. think that designer is not important in company especially in advertising field.
but they are wrong. without a good designer, any good idea sure failed to deliver in reality.


this is my expereince. got diploma with 3 years experienc. graphic design + DTP (magazine) i work at catcha corp mid valley.
there was a student doing internship at my company. he train under me and i can claim i teach him everything about DTP bla bla bla. lulz
at that time my salary is RM 1.5k. after few month he continue his study and i only got RM100 for increment.


later after he finished his study, apply vacancies at my comp. he got offered and u now what they offered him RM1.5k. FML. only diff 100 with my salary.
once i know my morale very low. no feel to do any job. argue with my boss and said will help me. after 4 month without increment that they promised i decided to leave. so fakap la i feel.
now i further my study in degree and hope can get better offer.


now doing intership at advertising agency. small company but bos very proud with himself. always claim manage to get project millions and have more than 30 employees but today only ada 9 orang including 3 intern. lol
from my observation i know why he failed to grow and maintain his agency

1. too proud with himself. only think his idea is the brilliant. others idea is not good as him. hahahahaha

2. dont bother to take care a good designer. low payment.
when his good designer leave he accept any designer to replace. even fresh graduate without any experience. now its look like i'm better and more experience than permanent designer here. lol
when preparing proposal i can see that their design is very lousy and not so 'boom'. huhu. end up failed to close the deal with client.

*ignore my engrish and TLDR

This post has been edited by hainur83: Mar 1 2011, 10:34 AM

Totally agree with you, they thought designers are magician, my gf is working as an in-house graphic designer in a local bank, XXXB Bank.
She's earning RM1.6k per month and they make her work like crap everyday give last minute work and she have to stay untill 8.30pm, sometimes 10.30pm, i know this cannot be compared with ad agency but still, i am very pissed off because they thought designers are robots Malaysia creative industry is a total failed, unless you are best of the best, if not you will stuck at rm2k for the rest of your life

once u join graphic sure work like robot and stay late at office. not only in advertising agency

and u for sure got spare key for the office. hahaha


how to earn more. menang kancil award. sure can up. lol

yes and lotsss of advices from my great seniors tell me just reject company that offer low-payment but ask u to work 12 hours a day...don't worry "rezeki" is everywhere..

or rather u work there "curi" experience for at least a year than fxxk off that company..agree with u bro hainur83..

I received another great offer from some company..the boss is friendly..understand what i need (my commitment+PTPTN blabla) and he said if i perform best for next 3 month he will increase my salary..so at last i found what I need..

yes nikeshock, it is fail and i feel if all designers know their rights they should not accept easily low-payment offers..if all designers do like this I promise all company will change their attitude..don't worry about 4-5 years that u hear good news u can be art director,creative director blabla...yes u can be director but some of us no very talented enough..some of us need time to improve right? just count how many student graduate each year?

even management if they work at least 3 years can get 4-5k salary..just closest example i take from my brother (plus overtime lagi + health insurance + etc2)

This post has been edited by wanobi: Mar 1 2011, 11:09 AM

rezeki is part of the reason also

stay for a year than chow is part of the job. hahaha

but if not lucky u stay and no senior designer sure less u can learn.

may i ask, if a freelance designer receive an offer to create an artwork. how do he/she charge for the services?

Depens on how long will it takes and ur experience.
but if u can try to charge at reasonable price, which is not so cheap and not so exp.
if so cheap, they will think u r not worthed, and u will invite many scammers.
if so expensive, they will difficult to hire u.

Just my 2 cents

when come to freelance i alway in dilema. haha

why, i give them my reasonable price but they said too expensive. dam! u think its easy to design. huhu

finally i ask them how much they want to offer me. if not so cheap i accept and do half heartd but when i start to design i always give my best. hahaha


after finish benci lor dengar client puji cantik la bla bla. tapi bayar ciput/cheap.

define how much is cheap and expensive?

that one u need to ask ur client la

hi. gonna finish my intern this coming april.

you guys know any job vacancy available around subang, PJ, damansara

What ?
RM400 only ?
then how about now ?Still received gaji macam tu ?
A

me start as multimedia graphic designer (courseware developer) at rm800 as a mgment trainee. after 3 month, got raised to rm1500. after 2 years, being transfered to another parent company, got raised to RM2.4k++ until now. 4 years oledi, still waiting for more raise

i think most of you need to be patient in terms of salary increment.

i got a fren whoz earning 7k at the age of 26 by becoming a creative director at some big property development company.

its all about attitude, luck and connection.

usaha tangga kejayaan.

i myself start off as a freelancer for few years.

then i need to buy a car. so i work wif a few companies.

start off at 1.6k commute from subang to keramat au3 by lrt and bus

then they cannot afford to pay me on the 4th month...hahahahaha! even deducted my epf but never bank in.

so i quit

approx 2 weeks later i got in touch with some irish company in malaysia. they ask me to become a video editor. working shift hours. played alot with final cut pro.

3 years im with the company. they even send me to Dubai for 6 month to setup some stuff example editing suite. i hooked up around 7 mac pros and simplify the editing and video compression process. even hook up satellite dish. malaysia and dubai.

then i quit. because the company increment sux i guess.

now im attach to some IT consultancy whos major client is from our gov.

Ive become a consultant. I peruse all application for MDeC for ICON grant

now my new assignment? flash content creator. leading 4 human....

nuff said, u'll get there. im married. earning around 3.6k nett...

sabar jer...attitude musti sabar....

im giving myself another year. should the company fail to provide me with macbook pro, i'll resign.

---

Added on March 28, 2011, 5:50 pmcan u do flash (70%), photoshop (10%) or illustrator (20%)


Your responsibilities:
1) To assist Creative Content in developing Flash Content Courseware particularly in porting elements from Illustrator or Photoshop to Flash and navigation system.
2) Assist in conceptualization. Ability to conceptualize in interface and usability will be an advantage.


The requirements:
1) Required skill(s) : Flash CS, Basic Action Script 2.0 or 3.0 ( i can assist u should u have little knowledge)
2) Familiarity with HTML, Java script is considered advantage
3) Applicants must be willing to work in SME Technoprenuer Center 2 Cyberjaya
4) Able to communicate in Bahasa or English
5) Able to work long hour when required.

We can pay u rm1.5K...eh silap, baru habis blajar eh? rm 1.2k ok bro? hahahaah!

need to come to the office 1 or twice a week for few hours to update me on your work progress...nice huh? wear smart casual.

any other day u shall be working remotely from home.

no computer will be provided.

contact basis for 3-6 months.

no benefit.

This post has been edited by junkieG: Mar 28 2011, 05:52 PM

how about multimedia design?@@

thanks.

macam my fren jek keje. zul azman mainor. huhu

i'm more into graphic.

i know photshop, illus, indesign, premiere n after effect(basic)


look like i'm gonna quit with design. still thinking about my future. huhu.

In penang, they are paid 1100-1500. normally is 1300, 1500 is considered as high pay. work during the weekends, normally OT until mid night to 4am. very bad pay here.

how come so little, cleaner also have more money, somemore dun have to work like hell.

rm 400 for a designer?
im working like hell from my previous company, OT until 4 am..
designing n printing all by myself, im the only designer,
make very big2 project, ,even u dont know how to make it, my ex boss, make sure i will finished the design..
pay low lor.. starting around 1k then after 6 years rm 2300.

then time for me to take maternity leave, they only pay for 1 month ,
my hubby said better u resign lor.. i did..
then i eccidently saw my office mate salary ,
they pay double from my salary
account 3K++ admin 4k++ ( only 3 workers and im the senior worker )
feel VERY2 sad lor..

your design with your heart and make a full effort for it but they NEVER EVER appreciated you.
even say THANK YOU, n got million form your hard work ...

for freelancer job, haiya.. i dont know whay people ALWAYS delay about the payment lah..
and i juz got offer to design a logo for RM20 ?????
like a you serious?????

ps:// sorry for grammar

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.

Hanna_B ~ your situation very similar like i face bfo....all boss like that de ....money masuk pocket, then family trip here trip there.....but when company got little finance problem r...sure the worker kena one...

BTW..u still can tahan 6 years....geng Lo...

Honest...some boss eat u, cos they think u weak....some time u need to show the face kasi dia tengok...if can't Tahan...sure paling surat Kasi dia kao kao...

BTW....i also figure another way out of this field..as designer hard survive for long term...

Good Luck for all the designer....

ya lor.. trip sana sini.. then got finance problem, late pay lor..
must tahan .. need money to survive

now i thinking to change my scope, married women ,
how long can u tahan all the presured being a designer? how's your family, your cute kids?
life only one time, so better move one to things that make u happier in your life..

seems like designer is a very stressfull job huh?

i also have interesting,pls give me some more infromation

Interested in? Information about? Unfortunately, I dun really get your point from the reply

design more bro im sure 1 day u ll be famous

possible to get RM2.5k for 1st job as designer?I'm fresh graduate

is like tht one, dunno why designers pay so low. Im a business student, cincai diploma come out also 1.8-2k in penang.
Designer vr much lower.

Maybe can do website freelance lor, good pay.

but it still depends right..

I don't think so.. fresh grad if u can earn RM2K also is consider very good edi

owh..really?

i think graphic designer salary depends on experience n skill la.

btw, im not graphic designer. i am web designer

some receptionist salary better than designer

+ 5 days work only..........

+ company trip......

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.

This post has been edited by Ryto: Apr 29 2011, 05:35 PM

outstanding skill and portfolio = good pay salary

Agreed