Creative Layoffs in a down economy

(Editor's Note: December 2, 2008 was my last day at my previous job. I was laid of mid-November due to budget cuts in a company that even at this date can't get the cash to pay the bills and risks closing it's doors after 30+ years of success. I've hopped on the emotional roller coaster that everyone's talking about and never seemed to even remember getting in line to ride. The wait is growing and we're all praying that the train malfunctions and the ride shuts down.)

Of all the people to lose their jobs, creatives have to have the easiest time bouncing back. It's what they do. We tailor our work for our clients and sell our selves and our product constantly. Now while we may not land a job that's a perfect match, we can still fit into the description pretty well. Everyone can use marketing help, sign design, a little product development...

But paying the bills may not go hand in hand with employment. It's been 2 months since I was given my notice that my position was eliminated and hours upon hours of job applications later, not a nibble. I've found 40 hours with a previous part-time job I had on the north side of Indianapolis. The owner is a doll and has a drive to grow. It's a fine art portrait studio specializing in a combination of techniques to create digital oil and water color paintings. It's the only place like it in America. Nifty! I have moved from a sales associate position (which I knew was a temporary fix until a full time option came along) to an artist in training spot. Excited as all get out about learning this technique of imagery, I fear that it will not pay the bills. It sure would be a fantastic skill to add for illustration and visual communication but the minimum wage part of training will not support a newly wed couple with the other spouse student teaching, banned from taking a job during that semester.

Reality: I'm earning 44% of what I had at my last job and savings is trickling out the door. I have to keep looking for other full time work as this new version of my position develops.

But with all the locations that are killing their marketing departments and outsourcing, creatives are ravenous and employers have the creme de la creme to pick from. Lost in a pile of resumes from extremely qualified executives, every day I try to stand out with my humble but solid experience. It's just that when it comes down to it, if some former art director applies for a graphic design spot because there's nothing else out there, I can't compare on paper to their qualifications.

Wheels spinning, my objectives shift. Relocate? Apply to grad school? Launch a business?
Luckily, a new President should be easing my transition shortly and I look forward to deciding where I'm going, and fast.

For now, Careerbuilder, Monster AIGADesignJobs and LinkedIn, show me the way.
CM

The Content, The Designer and The Print Shop

Here’s a little story that’s hardly a fairytale. Deadlines are blown, clock is ticking, the print shop is doing what they can to print, assemble and box your order at the 11th hour and there are 3 orders due to be delivered in the next day by that same team. They’re doing their best but risk missing the delivery time requested due to not getting the file until a day or two ago.

Rewind to a day or two ago:
Panic induces increased heart rate, heightened jumpiness, ease in forgetting to eat lunch and a mental meltdown on the brink! Persperation and an involuntary tear or two weep out of the corner of the eye as a mouse is clicked frantically, returned proofs are scanned for new corrections, phone calls and messages are taken from late contributors and a mere mention of tomorrow’s deadlines could lead to sudden death. The files get uploaded to the print shop’s ftp site before said panicked designer leaves for the day to catch a carpool. Gives you the feel of an Indiana Jones worthy hand off. But coming back tomorrow, it’s hard not to be counscious of the fact that there are 11 more programs to creat and a large finale of a book before the “busy season” ends.

A designer can lose oneself in the panic and agony of late contributors, hair splitters, and indecision. It is a personal challenge to stay level headed, breathe, smile, continue with a teamwork attitude, and not drive the print shop to spontaneous self destruction as their presses fly at Ludicrous Speed.

Flash back to real time:
The programs arrive boxed and happy to go on their way to their far away destination just in time to not be shipped- a savings of over $600. The next day’s programs arrive in time as well. A pause occurs as the designers brain mushes and relaxes at the wonderful news. But the overused muscle has the long haul to battle ahead and there’s no time for respite.

A cancelled weekend of traveling to work events leads to a committed 8 hour Saturday at the office to battle the deadlines once again. This designer will have the best nights’ sleep she’s had since August 15th on the nght of October 30th if everything goes as planned.

CM

I don't drink coffee

I’ve had two cups of it today.

Deadlines have been blown for several projects. Special thanks to emergency design commitments that took my time, bumping my long term projects to the back burner and not preparing me for the aftermath of the hurricane a few weeks ago in the gulf. Information we’re relying on from Texas because of two events being hosted there is a lost cause. The printer is calling every ten minutes because they need to go to print with files that aren’t done. We’re asking the impossible.

After Employee A was fired several weeks ago, Intern B had to quit because of family sickness and Employee C quit because she got a better job. That leaves Intern D, me and my boss in the marketing department with Employee C doing consultant work for us to get through our busy fall season.

Spontaneous eye tearing is occuring, a general feeling of over stretchedness and a mild nausea with a headache just don’t seem to go away.

This marks my 12th week with the company. I should not have had to cross out 4 peoples’ nams on the company staff phone list in that amount of time. But I’m glad someone vacated the seat I’m occupying because I might be a lot more stressed if I didn’t have a job in this economy.

I’m starting to remember why I don’t drink coffee- I feel sick. Or maybe it’s my job.

CM