Graphic Design jobs in CA??? (London: find a job, contractors, college)

[jc76]

I was wondering if any of you on CD in California are in the field of Graphic Design? I am a late bloomer back in College (32) and I want to change my major from Medical Assisting to Graphic Design. I love designing web pages and I do the arrangement of art on DVD's and CD's for local artists. I get so many compliments on my work and love doing it so it only makes sense to change my major to something I love. I was going into medical for the sole purpose of job stability but I think it's foolish and unfair to patients to get into a field you have no passion for. My passion lies in designing things and I want to be able to move to the west coast after college.
My main question is, does California have a lot businesses related to this profession?
I am very aware of California, and many other states, being in economic crisis so jobs are tight right now, but I wont be done for about 2-3 years anyway.
Just looking for some input from anyone that is knowledgeable on this topic. Thank you!

[jc76]

Anyone?

[Sassberto]

Graphic design as a field has it's challenges. It has seen a huge saturation as every kid in the 90's flocked to learn Photoshop. Today it is mostly a $15/hr job. Most companies have shed their on-staff graphic designers in favor of contractors.

The only way I can see to make a living doing graphic arts is to either be very, very good (with the portfolio and reputation to back it up), or to move into web design (which also has a saturation problem), 3D animation, game design, or another highly technical niche which has a high barrier-to-entry. Web and game jobs are mostly in CA cities (LA, SF) and can pay very well.

[MisterDuke]

What Sassberto says is very accurate.

Don't expect to find a job in California with 9-5 hours and a livable wage. Most companies have gotten rid of creative staff positions in favor of contractors. If they've kept them, it's the low-wage, go nowhere jobs.

If you want to stand a chance at making a living in graphic design in California, you have to be self-employed. But these days you can organize it so you can work from anywhere. I'm based in the LA area, but my two biggest clients are companies in Idaho and Oregon, and I've never met them in person. I contract with illustrators in New Zealand and London, and all our communication is through email.

[Adriatica]

I know some Graphic designers. Most work for some sort of company (in-house) or institution (like a college) AND have a private consulting business on the side. Some work for graphic design or marketing firms, but most seem to go the in-house route.

[Winston Smith]

Work for yourself. You'll be better off, especially in this economy where no one is hiring. Graphic design lends itself to contract work. Web design, too. Though I will agree with others about the saturation issue. If you go into web, consider more of a development angle. It's more technical, but in higher demand.

As to your quandary about medical vs. graphic design, I faced a similar cross-roads about 12 years ago. I made a mid-life career switch and was considering similar decisions as you. In the end I went for my passion (which was NOT the medical field) and do not regret that choice for one second. Fast-forward to today, when I'm the owner of my own home-based telecommuting business. Not only do I love it, but I have so much work these days that I'm turning projects away.

[jc76]

Wow! Thank you all!

I was also thinking of Web Development. My long term goal would be to work for a company, even if it's $15.00 an hour, I'm a very low need guy, and eventually after a few years of experience start my own side business building sites for people and even designing billboards and other advertisements. In the future it would be nice, obviously, to make good money, but I expect to start of scraping by, that would be nothing new to me anyway.
By the time I am out of college (approx. 3 yrs) The economy is either going to better...or worse. Either way I need a college education so I am really not letting the currant conditions sway me.

If anyone can think of anything I should know, please feel free to PM me if you would like. Thank you all so much for taking the time to point me in the right direction. It is very appreciated

[Winston Smith]

Originally Posted by jc76

Wow! Thank you all!

I was also thinking of Web Development. My long term goal would be to work for a company, even if it's $15.00 an hour...

If anyone can think of anything I should know, please feel free to PM me if you would like. Thank you all so much for taking the time to point me in the right direction. It is very appreciated

Please ask for more than $15.00/hr. Keep in mind that good graphic design, logo design, branding, even web design and development has value in what it means for the client. The price you charge is not only a matter of your time to develop the end product. Lynda Weinman of Ventura-based Lynda.com recommends a pricing formula as follows: 1) what's your time worth; 2) what's it worth to the client; 3) what the market will bear; Learning @ Your Own Pace® - lynda.com.

As an aside, here's a nice place for graphic-design inspiration: Communication Arts - Home.