aka my blog
Posted in Captain's Log on October 31st, 2009
I have been self-employed for one year now. I have been doing a lot of thinking during that time. I felt that on this day I should write them down.
On August 2008, after five years of fast-food work, I have finally scored a job in the graphic design industry. Later on Halloween, I lost my job to the economy.
I saw it coming, with clients canceling projects left and right. However I still was not sure until I was called into my boss’s office.
Since that day I have sent out hundreds of resumes, had a phone attached to my ear and have been watching job boards like a hawk. Still nothing came up.
I did manage to get another job in the beginning of 2009. However the company downsized before I even completed my training.
And yes, I have tried other companies. Even Target and Starbucks.
My situation is not entirely bad. I have many blessings that have helped me in these hard times. One thing is on my mind each day: “I need a job.”
Every week I consider going back to McDonald’s. Most people would say that is the smart choice. However I am not sure if it would be worth it.
When I weigh the Pros:
Some Money
Semi-Flexibility
Against the Cons:
(minor)
Boredom.
Total lack of interest in the success.
Sirens going off every time someone flips a burger.
Strict uniform policy.
Following the rule “If you got time to lean, you got time to clean.”
(medium)
Little room for advancement.
Low hours.
Constantly surrounded by junk food.
Standing in place for 8 hours at a time.
High stress, low rewards.
(major)
Having to ask permission for everything from washing hands to leaving at the end of your shift.
I cannot help but think twice about going back to that. Especially after spending five years working in that environment (including weekends).
So that is where I am currently on Halloween 2009, one year on. I look forward to my 2010 post when I write about my journey into my dream job that a received shortly after this post.
I wish everyone out there in the same boat as myself (or worse) the best of luck in pursuing their dreams of financial security and happiness.
Posted in Captain's Log on October 23rd, 2009
It has been over a year-and-half since I graduated from The Art Institute of Portland. In this time I have found out what things I have learned from school have been most valuable to me as a person and a designer.
There are countless times I was glad to follow them. And countless times I wished I had followed them better. Now I would like to share them with you:
- Save early and save often.
- When estimating your timeframe for a new project, imagine the maximum amount of time it will take, and then add an hour.
- If the deadline is ten minutes ago, ignore the previous rule.
- Presentation is half the project.
- Professionalism is half the pitch.
- It is ridiculous to get nervous, it just makes other people nervous.
- You have to be the first person to get excited about your work.
- Critique is like a warm Red Bull: Disgusting to the taste but gives much needed energy.
- Your client probably knows more about their own business than you do.
- Like a good stew. Leaving a project alone for a while can increase its tastefulness.
- A successful design that uses photography goes through this hierarchy: Photoshop < Stock Photography < Taking the Picture Yourself.
- Get to know who is who in your area. Learn who the Designers, Producers and Decision-Makers are in your area.
- And finally: Be sure to get a life!
Posted in Captain's Log on September 9th, 2009
In its great effort to make my stuff obsolete, Apple has released a new iPod Nano with Video Recorder and FM Radio. Personally, I could care less about the Video Recorder, cell phones have been doing that for years. However the radio is something I have been wanting on the iPod for a long time. However I wish they had made it an HD radio like the Zune HD.
Posted in Captain's Log on September 3rd, 2009
Thanks to this nice bit of code I will now be able to keep my blog separate from my website and have the latest blog post be displayed. This has been an issue bothering me since I first installed Wordpress and I glad to have it resolved.
Thanks Corvid Works !
Posted in Captain's Log on August 30th, 2009
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