California? A good place for designers?

[Julez1054]

Hey everyone. I've been working in the graphic design industry for almost 8 years now. I'm mainly a designer, but i've had all types of jobs from print shops to small offices, to large companies. Long story short, I live in Pennsylvania and the industry for design is so dead here anymore. I've had so many issues with jobs and what not - so many places just lack work and companies shut down, ect. I've been playing with the idea for so many years to make the move out to California. One, because thru my designing life i've made so many great connections and friends out there - and i see SO many jobs available out in that area, more so around Los Angeles and such. I live in the suburbs of Philly, so that's basically why it's so quiet and dead here. I miss the city life and I want to be somewhere, where I can prosper and move up in my job. I just don't think it's here for me anymore...

What do you guys think of California? and the design industry? Anyone out there now??

[Stev27]

Hi and welcome to the DC site!
I live in the middle of California, namely in the San Joaquin Valley and I'd say the graphic design field has slowed down here too.

It's a shame because we have a university that is graduating kids in design but many are having to go out-of-town for employment or settle for printshop jobs which isn't a bad thing. They can learn a lot about how the whole printing process works and hopefully move up from there.

But as for someone with experience trying to find work, it may be more difficult. I imagine the bigger cities like Sacramento, San Francisco and the Los Angeles area may have more opportunities.
Good luck!

[Julez1054]

I believe it's really slow all over. And the summer is killer too. The company I work with now gets really slow over this time of the year. It's not fun. I wouldn't mind checking out the LA area tho for jobs. I've been dreaming of moving out there for YEARS, literally. So it be a crazy attempt, and so many people say...JUST GO! JUST DO IT! It's not that easy, but I'm more than i've ever been motivated before - so I might just go for it.

I appreciate your insight though. If anything falls thru i'll be sure to update!

[andiwibowo_4108]

hi im a designer that never been join on any kind like designcontest.com may this will be the way that all know that i am a reputable designer

[atondex]

Yes, the design industry has slowed down all over the world nowadays. I too am a designer, but I started learning about web design. It has common points with graphic design, but also some technical and programming components. But it's not so difficult. Web design jobs are easier to find.

[Musikvibe]

I think you have to have a bit of coding training. Java, xhtml, CSS... alot to work on. Where do you go to learn web building?

[atondex]

I think you have to have a bit of coding training. Java, xhtml, CSS... alot to work on. Where do you go to learn web building?

Well, you don't have to start with Java. Java is pure programming, not web design and development, although it can also do that.

You can start with HTML, which is really easy, and take it step by step from there.

That's the main thing: take it easy, step by step, and it will not seem or be that hard.