Is it too difficult to get a job in arts field in this current economy situation? I'm afraid that it will be hard to find a job after I graduate. Im studying illustration course

very depends on your skill and design sense, for most people, it's really hard

Let me tell you the actual scene in the market, one job posting in jobstreet and there will be more than a 100 designers applying. By just studying illustrations doesn't help, malaysian employers prefer designers with multiple skill sets.

I think that design skills is not enough to get a decent job.. I think you must know something else, may be smm+design. Good combo

I'm curious, what sort of design skills do most companies look for?

I'm more towards character design, concept art & storyboarding myself, but those may not be enough.

Hi @MIkori,

To answer your question I'll say depending on your perspective.

There's 2 types of designers.



Type A designers like to learn everything because they want to settle on their own. Most companies will look for a person like this, saving money is every company’s priority.

Type B designers learn from the course and apply with no care, just wack whatever they know like a boss. Naturally their skillsets are very limited and might not be able to handle multiple things. Still ok if you are good at creativity but the chances for getting an interview is low compared to type A designer unless the company only wants them to do purly graphic design.



First of all, I graduated in the Multimedia Design field and my only interest is web development but not design. Because I’m a type A designer and wanted to handle things by myself so I’ve spent a lot of time (I mean really a lot) learning whatever things that are related to my project/job/work.

Since, my course will learn most of the basic part of the design and it gave me a foundation on each design category plus having an internship is compulsory so I really learn more things that I can never obtain in the course.

Taking Web Design as an example, if you want to develop a website (I’m talking about practical web development, not one click live website from WIX or other platforms that can launch a website as easy as ABC) you will automatically require knowledge of using design tools and coding languages. But it still lacks on how to publish a website, that becomes another part and it shouldn't be handled by you.

In real life, developing a website should be including a team of Web Designers, Web Developers and Server Engineers. Because each of them has their own purpose and task. Without them it is hard to launch a website with peace unless you are a Full-Stack Developer with knowledge on Server Management. So in this case, if I want to develop a website on my own I’ll need to become a Full-Stack Developer or at least understand the foundation of a Web Designer, Web Developer and Server Engineers.



Last but not least, a little tip for you if you are wondering what kind of skill sets would be enough for a graphic designer. I’ll say depending on which field you are going.

If you are going into the printing field, then you need to know the foundation of printing. Like what is bleeding, outline, plotting, preparing print files, different kinds of media and sizes and more. If you know customer services / using printing machines that would be an added advantage to the company because most companies will look for that person in the current market especially small companies.



If you are going into the marketing agency, then you need to know the foundation of marketing and design. Like responsive design, different sizes on different online platforms. If you know copywriting / web design related that would be an added advantage to the company especially a small company.



So how do you feel after reading my feedback and advice?

I can tell you this based on my experience because I used to intern in a marketing agency, work as a web designer & developer and also work as a graphic design cum customer services plus production in Singapore.

But currently I'm back to square 1 and just started learning online marketing now. How tough right?



Good luck on choosing your career path and have a nice day!

Regards,
Anderson Koh

Although I am not in the field myself, my honest opinion is, yes, it may be tough. Unfortunately.

It will be freaking tough for sure,

but you can win and standout by having a very strong portfolio

or heck,

go and build your own brand or audience instead of waiting for the industry to tell you your worth

This post has been edited by Gmruleme: Dec 7 2020, 11:13 PM

very depends on your skill

Well, everyone claim they are "designers" even your own potential client also the same thing. I have drop from this job after freelancing for quite some time. Instead now I venture into product accommodation and on demand personal product design as partner for a few kickstarters instead of just hire for work.

The pay is 3 times better then what I use to. The funny thing about design is .... if you work for what someone wants (at least this apply to malaysia) you will always get low pay for your time. If you make something someone want they will pay whatever price you demand.

I learn this from a small molding company ... before MCO they cast for client, get kuli price. During MCO no work, so we just make funny funny stuff and post them online. Now people are just buying up all the limited mold design like hot toys.

More than 100 people apply usually. Sometimes can go up to 1000 applications and more just for the same 1 job posting on any job sites.

Malaysian employers looking for employees with multiple skill sets apply to every other industry tbh. I'm in the media industry and tbh a lot of employers want someone who have:

PR skills
Design skills
Writing skills
Advertising skills
Marketing skills
Events management skills

A lot of requirements but not necessarily need every skill listed. EVen if let's say you have all the skills to offer, they will pay you peanuts. Pay peanuts attract monkeys lah. What to expect.

designer need to have one skill too..
marketing.

know how to market your design to the market and get ur value

design is subjective.

its like if u can meet a boss that like ur design.

if not then basically he or she borrow ur hand to draw what they want

there's a lot of design vacancy in jobstreet. nowadays they require you to do digital marketing more than design works.

you have to learn about FB marketing, active in insta or tik tok. if you encounter cincai boss, then design work will be a bit easy, but if you encounter a fussy boss. the amendment counts are crazy.

I'm a graphic designer for printing almost 20 years. nowadays I'm in the sales department. Design is subjective. You'll find yourself facing lots of rejection from clients. but there will be small chance to get a cincai client, see design, then say ok proceed.

add in Web design skill. you have to learn about generating user data, mailing, e-commerce thing also. Event management skills can be easily learn as you work, like throw you to manage an exhibition, product launching.

pay is little, the career ladder is small.

that is why i transition from graphic designer to doing sales administration & marketing.

now better find any jobs meanwhile look for own interest. Malaysia company need multi task

I agree.. In my last job I applied for a content writer job. I got it but when the company signed me on, I was a marketing executive lmao.. So basically I have to do content writing, copywriting, design (logo, posters, web, etc)., paid ads (social media + google ads), even had to go out to find clients also when that has nothing to do with my job scope at all. Even had to do PR and events management works...

And guess how much they paid me? A bit more than rm2000 =_=

What kind of art? I think it's not difficult but pay is not good

i work as graphic designer for wedding, and mostly deals with touch up photos. my HQ distribute cameras.. so hv to do flyers and other promo stuff every month.

But then 10 years later, i left the company and switch profession to be business admin & sales.

I don't want to rely on design skill to make living. Coz as you grow old, many younger designer will eventually replaces you with a cheaper price. At least now i have the outlet managing, admin, marketing skills on my resume.

So sad. Art is a unique skill but it doesn't able make living. Without art this world is so boring like robot

i've been working in advertising/publishing industry for 15 years. to be honest, creative market is majorly affected by this pandemic. client's are cutting their expenses to sustain in the business and the first thing they will cut is on the 'marketing budget' - which is advertising/publishing materials and etc.

having said that, it is all depends how good you are. pick up other creative skills, beside illustration - that will help you in the long run.

wish you all the best

start learning about digital marketing, basic understanding of website design, social media posting, e-commerce. coz majority these are very important for design jobs.

and also some animation skill. play around with adobe after effects and premiere and other major video editing software.

no need to learn 3D editing. if you want, can learn in free time.

Even without the pandemic the art field don't earn much

I disagree. its like, you really have to shine with your works, otherwise you wont earn much. if you are good, then you'll earn big bucks. there are successful creative peoples' who earns 6digits in Msia!

depend how u think and ur skill

Probably the only industry that can survive the pandemic.

it depends on the niche. Nowadays if you work with IT I think it won't be hard.

Maintain your top rated status in Upwork. I've been declining more work than accepting them.

it was that way in the beginning wasnt it. but i think the trend is flipping back. those companies that can afford to spend on ads will stand out from those that dont.

I've always asked this question too..the answer that pops out the most is "get hardworking and scale up your portfolio"

Yes very true!!I've came across situation like this in my company.
They will prefer to hire fresh-grad than using someone who is well experienced in the industry

that is why most of the time i receive artwork from customers, all never follow the bleeding, the cmyk color etc. rules... all done by amateur designer.

there is better chance growth and better pay in the web and app design under tech industry

Study latest structure of web designs and apps it’s not all about just coding, it needs good visuals and user experience

My pay is quite decent as a designer I handle only the visuals for web design, the flow and wireframes I do not need to code as we have dedicated developers. without nice looking website people will not bother to look at the company website

Just look at our gov websites, no sense of ux and design when it’s just up to dev to do everything

This post has been edited by Raddus: Jun 7 2022, 04:15 PM

this I can attest to that