I’ve been job attempting to find slightly over 2 years since I graduated from my 3-year apprenticeship and training, which I each beloved. Again then I beloved graphic design, exploring completely different facets and even different fields like pictures and the way I might use it in my work. However after graduating my drive has gone down.
I’ve had two internships and a semi-permanent place on a contract, which my employer selected to not prolong. Since I’ve not solely had hassle with discovering a job but additionally holding one, I’ve had some severe confidence and motivational points in my work the previous yr. I’m continually uninspired by every bit of design I see, and I’m repeatedly asking myself if I even selected the suitable business – most likely regular questions.
A number of of my different classmates (graphic design training) have gotten secure jobs, so it isn’t as a result of they don’t seem to be on the market. It is just because I have not had the drive to write down purposes up to now yr, which is in fact the primary motive why I have not gotten a job. With each utility I see or write I doubt. If it is my very own, I am going to at all times assume it is horrible. If it is another person’s I am going to at all times assume “I am going to by no means be capable to make one thing like that”.
Admittedly, I’ve by no means been ‘passionate’ about this discipline, solely momentarily excited over one thing. Final venture I used to be truly enthusiastic about, was one thing I made throughout my apprenticeship because it had a objective – designing for a objective is what makes me excited. I hardly ever (or ever) design one thing, only for the sense of it, and particularly not for myself. I’ve tried and failed in holding my pleasure and optimism each time.
As for what sort of job I might need? I at all times wished to work in one thing like a printshop or signage firm, with varied, however technically difficult initiatives, relatively than creatively demanding ones like at a design bureau (this can be presumptuous of me). My apprenticeship additionally taught me I favored doing graphic design for engineering corporations however trying to find a job there has additionally failed to this point.
I’ve utilized for an artwork college for additional training, which ought to enhance my odds at getting a job sooner or later, however I’m uncertain what to do about my drive and motivation.
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**TL;DR:** How do you guys preserve your motivation and optimism when continually confronted with higher work that you just don’t really feel like you’ll be able to compete with?
You know what motivates me after having stable graphic design jobs back to back for 12 years and then getting laid off and having to live off of unemployment? Money. Great motivator. I want to get a job so I can pay bills and live the life I want to live, traveling and adding to my savings. I love what I do, most of the time, but I’m not going to pretend, at the end of the day I want a decent stable job that I can clock out of and do the things I actually want to do that no one would pay me for. Fuck motivation, find discipline.
Discipline > Motivation
i’m the same way. i graduated 2 years ago, i did have a full time job for a while then lost it and haven’t found anything since then. i’ve done a little bit of freelancing too. i haven’t really felt motivated since my internship in college, which i really loved. i don’t feel like i have a passion for this field. i used to as a kid, and every once and a while it comes back, but it’s not fully there.
i’m realizing lately that i really like production design, i remember my boss would apologize for giving me a tedious project and i’d love it. stuff like organizing and editing huge batches of files, switching out text in templates and having to do a little bit of problem solving to make everything fit, preparing files for print, i love that stuff. i feel a little silly that i went into a creative field and the part that stresses me out is the creativity, but i guess that could make me stand out in a way for production jobs. at least that’s what i tell myself lol. i think there’s nothing wrong with wanting to work at a certain type of design job or certain type of company. i still haven’t fully figured out how to keep my motivation but like someone else here said, i think money is the biggest motivator
When I graduated I didn’t know what the fuck I was doing. I was cranky and bitter about being a commercial artist, and I had a lot of bullshit going on at home with my family.
I ended up getting a job as a beta tester at a big video game company and worked there for a few years while I worked on my portfolio. Eventually a friends girlfriend got me an interview at their place and I got my first job.
The important thing was that I had a proper full time job and was able to pay my bills and buy shit for myself. This helped me learn how to be an independent adult and make big boy choices, which helped make me feel confident and energized. Hopeful too.
Keep in touch with your friends who have design jobs – hell, non-design jobs too. Every company needs a designer and most companies offer referral bonuses if you get someone hired.
As for the fortutite to stick with it, idk what to tell you. Thats part of being an adult. I don’t love brushing my teeth, but I love having healthy teeth and gums more than getting drilled and cavities. So I brush my teeth. Thats life.
Actions have consequences in our universe. You keep trying. Or you give up. But nobody who gives up ends up getting a job handed to them except trust fund kids. So you keep trying. You try different things.
Don’t believe everything you think either.