What is the apparel industry like in Chicago?

[besabes]

Originally Posted by Avengerfire

1. Now how would we be able to tell you that without knowing where you will live around or work?

duhhh silly me i love the sound of wicker park, the apts i have seen on craigslist look like something i would love to live in

[heyho]

per above: 'But I do know many people in advertising, and there are LOTS of adverstising/graphic design jobs in Chicago.'

No. No you are wrong.
Many, MANY firms have laid off FT employees, hiring interns i.e. green college kids to do grunt work for little pay.
Idiot consultants with a copy of Windows now think they are designers. Coders sell themselves off as designers. Few have a clue to marketing.

You don't know what you are talking about.
Designing a flyer for the opening of a skate shop doesn't get you into an agency.

[chirack]

Originally Posted by besabes

Do you think i will need a car to get to work?

Depends on where you live/work. Our public transit isn't quite on par with New York's but then again nothing in the country is.

If you live in Chicago and work downtown Chicago, No.

If you work or live in the burbs, generally yes(there are some exceptions).

If you live in Chicago and work in Chicago at places than downtown, No but the car could be handy(or it could be a pain in the neck depending on where you live).

Basically Chicago's public transit is centered on downtown Chicago. So if you work downtown odds are you are going to be using public transit to get there even if you are in the burbs and have a car.

[Lookout Kid]

Originally Posted by heyho

per above: 'But I do know many people in advertising, and there are LOTS of adverstising/graphic design jobs in Chicago.'

No. No you are wrong.
Many, MANY firms have laid off FT employees, hiring interns i.e. green college kids to do grunt work for little pay.
Idiot consultants with a copy of Windows now think they are designers. Coders sell themselves off as designers. Few have a clue to marketing.

You don't know what you are talking about.
Designing a flyer for the opening of a skate shop doesn't get you into an agency.

I do "know what I'm talking about", and your tone is ridiculous and offensive. My wife is in the industry and in a position where she regularly hires people. But I should clarify, when I say there are lots of advertising and graphic design jobs in Chicago, I'm talking about people currently employed doing these things. I realize that we are in a tough economy, and that NEW jobs are not really being created right now--especially in cyclical fields like these. Many shops have put freezes on freelancer hiring, others are laying people off, but it will likely pick up again in Q1. While some shops are laying off, others are currently thriving and still hiring. This is a field where constant job migration is the norm, and people tend to flock to the agencies who are thriving and picking up new accounts (or stealing them from other shops).

[heyho]

LK:

re: My wife is in the industry and in a position where she regularly hires people.

I'm betting your wife hasn't been 'regularly' hiring anyone of significant experience (more than 5 years), for quite some time.

I stand by my statement.

Recruiting agencies have cut staff. Aquent for one. Others have closed, altogether. Creative firms, large and small are using 'interns', now stating in ads: 's/b in degree earning program' due to the amount of 'older' creatives applying to those opening.

Apparel Guy/Gal, my 2 cents is this: go somewhere other than Chicago. Preferably an emerging market where you may really stand out. If you are young, without ties (bf/gf, condo, a dog), take a real chance. Go to Europe where style is still important. Go to Brazil. Your typical Chicagoan is happy in jeans, rotated with a hoodie. Good luck to you!

[Lookout Kid]

Originally Posted by heyho

I'm betting your wife hasn't been 'regularly' hiring anyone of significant experience (more than 5 years), for quite some time.

I stand by my statement.

What aspect of the industry are you talking about here? There are shops that are thriving right now and who are bringing in all kinds of experienced staff. My wife has 15 years of experience in advertising and design, and is still being actively recruited. I'm sure it's hard for a graphic designer with five years of experience, but it's a competetive industry with few barriers to entry. And designers are only one part of this industry.

My point is that Chicago is a major center for advertising. The industry as a whole is suffering right now, but it's hard to argue that Chicago is worse off than anywhere else in the U.S. I personally know of a few places that are hiring, though they are mostly poaching employed talent from other agencies at this point.

[besabes]

I am aware of the obstacles i'm not looking to move until next fall, by then i hope the market will look better. I am moving to Chicago not EU, but thank you for the feedback.