Life of being a Graphic Designer..

So as you may know or may not know, I’m currently working in my second work place. Throughout my career life being an official 20 year old, I’m going to show the reality of being a graphic designer both the ups and the downs. The reality of my experience of going in my 2nd year.

Having 1 year of experience taught me a lot. Having known that I never did or pursued a degree nor did I have an intention to do so, rather than to earn the degree to earn an income of course. Well, yes I did a diploma but non of them taught me how to think or how to handle a customer or even handle such critiques that can come over time or how to not cry when being lectured…

My first work place taught me a lot for a professional career life. With that being said, I also showed and confronted that I have no work experience before I started my first job.

So to start with life of being a graphic designer is pretty much good not saying its bad.. I really love the lifestyle I’m in. But I’ll show the ups and downs I have faced. And no… I’m not sharing to gain sympathy or showing the downsides of my life, and not to mention to tell how my previous company was. Non of that and nothing personal here or grudges. This is just sharing my personal experience, because I'm pretty good with hiding the reality sometimes. Even my sarcasm tends to be believed by most.

Moving on…. I’ll start with the downs

1. Disagreements on designs and concepts etc..

Having working currently for 1+ years, disagreements and dissatisfaction tends to be normal… There are times I was being criticized for what I think, that I even have to validate my choices by others’ opinions. For example, I was being criticized for a choosing a pasta known as Bolognese pasta which was nice and red for a restaurant parking ticket, and for what was I criticized for? For the pasta looking like biriyani!!

Haha I’m currently laughing while typing this because I had to explain why I chose this dish for the parking ticket of a Swiss cuisine. The theme was red and white for the restaurant and the photograph for the dish was quite nice and well captured. But it came to a point of having to validate my opinion on whether its pasta or biriyani. And yes well I got lectured for that, instead of being said to simply chose another dish, more over being validated in front of all to give their opinions on whether its pasta or biriyani and all communicated in Arabic.

Another scene was during Eid posts. Usually for Eid, we should sacrifice an animal if we can afford. And therefore there are options such as goat, cow, sheep, and camel. So I chose sacrificial animals to reflect the concept. And I had to argue on them/state why. And one asked if I was Muslim even? And I had to explain and talk about population status and what certain communities can afford and I had to even open up google to see and show what other people post for Eid and I had to argue with proofs for my choices.

Then it came to a conclusion to chose only sheep. And then after choosing the sheep I was criticized for the missing tail, which never even clicked me. Not that the sheep was missing a tail its just not in the outline of the silhouette art work. So I got criticized for that and though we had a senior graphic designer who just did 1 post for Eid while I did like for 5 or 6. And I was being lectured for the missing tail. So from there on I had to check animal’s body parts to ensure I was adding the right image. Hahah…

Sometimes designs that are personally nice to me will not be nice to others. Some may agree, some may disagree and its fine. After all I remind myself that I’m working for them, agree and adjust to their terms. (but also remember your worth)

In conclusion to this disagreements and concepts may sometimes be misunderstood and usually as a graphic designer/visual communicator I had to meet these needs without having to utter a word. Usually when expressing posts like Eid and the sheep and that too... good condition sheep.

2. Last minute clients

Having last minute clients and work load is very familiar with most designers. And I know a few who have been through this struggle a lot. But I tend to keep myself stress free and live the moment while also reminding and keeping my standards with the timing and working environment. There are times when last minute work load comes and yes sometimes I tend to be pressured but i end up just taking them as a challenge and face the reality.

In the end of the day I tend to be happy or when I recall it even I’m like omg this day though. Life will go on always. Trust the process. I do see my snap memories and recall those days and be like omg I can’t believe I cried and I also had my close friend with me to talk to, during that time which is such a relief in those times especially at that particular time of life.

3. Approval and middle levels interfering and then I officially ended with tissues.

Hahha I need to share my true self. But this is all in texts. So you should be thankful to not hear me laugh. So my previous work place. A lot was done with the senior management and it was not a big place its basically the boss and the general manager/director and what an evening it was for the preparation for the company profile proposal for Ezdan mall restaurant opening.

I had about 3 days of tensed work load only during my work hours. I left on time, came on time. Except for the 3rd day. Left probably 2 hours later. And why did I end up with tissues?

Yes, because my so called social media manager and I had communication problems and we needed time to understand based on the team work required for the company profile proposal and then having to submit to get approval from general manager was pretty bad as they would argue and whenever I had a part in the design or text I admitted that I was wrong and then being yelled at from a 60 year old and it was a nice environment to experience in front of the whole office, which is why I ended with tears and need a few breaks after the discussion was done in order to hold myself together, and the funniest was when the tissues were over.

Firstly, the place barely had resources. So tissues was one of them and I had to get my breathing pattern in control by tearing and holding myself together but I faced everyone I told myself these things happen.. like G eazy’s album ‘these things happen’.. so yes I did get embarrassed but that is me.

That was my first time being yelled at in public, in office, in front of other workers and men. But I walked and took myself together like nothing is wrong. So being yelled and being questioned is normal. I went through that stage and alhamdullilah (Praise be to God) for the masks. I now smile and laugh reminding myself you are not going there shazi, you are not gonna cry again.

4. Being lectured 'I spent …K on your salary and got 0 cents. Wallahi 0.'

Hahah now before you judge anything on the above mentioned point. It ain't my fault with the senior/boss if he/she doesn’t charge from his/her clients. It seriously isn’t my fault to be blamed. I never took charge for sales or consulting!!.

There was a time I was put in to work to an ‘X’ company. And I did the branding with a clear vision and how well the clients wanted it until I submitted and that was the end. I never checked on it or asked for the update about it... NON!!

I did nothing about it. Later on my dad saw the restaurant and then he saw and told me about the X company. And I saw it with my own eyes and it was the same exact branding done by me. The same exact design with the same fonts everything was same… and then the next day I asked my boss. Any update about the X company and he questioned why? I replied because I saw the café opened in this location. And guess what my boss told me that the client told my design was ugly and he didn’t like it and he wasn't willing to pay because he didn't like it.

But there it goes published to the world. With my work and my team and then boss goes like he didn’t pay a penny. Then I was like yeah I’m asking you because you tell me I bring 0 income when the problem isn’t me. And then the topic was closed. I’m getting my salary. What am I going to argue for? I have rights to claim them and fine the café/restaurant but I let it be. Didn’t bother..

So by sharing this experience you can have an idea what type of client’s or boss/managers you will find that will blame you for such cases. In addition with I gave you this I get this. Blah blah talks and that too big big talks.. so I purposely was prepared there after for such cases. I would speak to my buddy about it and then he just goes like’ that’s how people are Shaz’

5. Team work

Sometimes team work tends to be hard when it comes to communication problems and google translator was our escape he and I would communicate through that.

6. Approval and amendments

Another experience I faced was amendments over and over again maybe just a word or text or change picture all these changes don’t come in one go most of the time. Probably like more than 5 times. Especially company profiles, publications and brochures/leaflets. Alot of changes and when it comes to actual clients its more like another color, another font, can we decrease/increase the font, change the picture etc..

Now coming to the good sides

1. Opportunities and new experiences

I believe in my vast of 1+ years. I faced with a lot of opportunities such as the opportunity to be working at one of the tourist sites at Qanat Quartier the views everyday and also projects and opportunities. Like working face to face with clients and gaining new experiences. Branding and photo shoot preparations for Cafés and restaurants. Another was Project Qatar gaining the experience with participating for the event, workshop and designing roll ups and leaflets for office.

Like see if I never believed in myself or stood back thinking or keeping myself in the cube saying without degree I can't find a job or such encouragement to myself. I wouldn’t be here. It takes courage, patience and self motivation to get to such opportunities. Well yes, you need to break the ice for yourself.

There was also a time I met Haneen Al Saify and well I never clicked a pic with her but I did speak to her and had a conversation for like 5 mins until I decided that I didn't know what to speak. Not that she came to office but its because of office I was able to be there or meet her while leaving office to the bus stand.

Meeting or branding for influencers... and this was for Nathalie Haddad. I never spoke to her or anything as such but yes I had to design a logo for an upcoming event. Which is kindda confidential so I can't share it here.

So overall within the 1+ years working for 31+ clients is a big amount whether it was successful or not. Because the truth is I never involved in the project planning or anything financial related. But working for upcoming national events, influencers, cafes, restaurants, ice cream vendors, sports events, and sports teams is quite alot of great achievements.

Sometimes you need to do photo shoots.. and this was one of my favorite as well

2. Career and learning experience

I’d proudly say these.....though I cried and faced a lot during my 1st year. I did gain a lot of experience. Also thanks to my other graphic designer friend Morad Qasrawi for teaching me some graphic designing tools and ready made files. Hadn't he been there I'd still be doing the manual work. So from the previous and current place thanks to my officer. I have learnt a lot of things and I'm so thankful for this life. A lot of techniques and tools were so helpful most weren’t taught in class, so yes grateful for all of them.

3. You have a chance to display them on your portfolio.

Ughh honestly I do regret for all the work I haven't saved. Like honestly…but I’ll show what I have gradually.

4. Opportunities for art work

As a hand drawn artist I was able to do some art work, well the sad part was I didn't demand for money. But this is a time I was able to test myself too for the first time painting on a 1m canvas by 75cm. So this is one plus point I had with my graphic design experience, because I did show my art portfolio for such opportunities. Plus having hand drawing skills does give a plus point for graphic designers.

5. Happiness

Yeh you must be wondering what am I happy for?! I'm happy to see when clients are happy with the outcome for example: seeing my design published, printed and posted. It feels good, for example: Do cafe is a cafe which I designed for the ice drink box for their ice coffees and mojitoes and when the design was finalized. I was really happy and the other one was B Square cafe and restaurant, as well as for Fish House, Nile Street, Suisse Chalet, Eurofit, White Dress, Smoothie Panda including Nathalie Haddad and so on...

5. Pursing my dreams in designing

This is another part of my life which also contributes for a life as a graphic designer. All mentioned above are work experience by working for others, but what about myself?

Like web designing for the current site you are viewing on. The design and layout was completely made by me so it's really interesting designing these products that are displayed on the home page. As well as doing my own research along with like 2 people to help and support me...not financially but mentally motivating and supportive. Really thankful to them.

Coming from work from my 8-5 and then back to myself website, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter, Behance. There's so much involved in design.....

Design is everywhere!!!

UI/UX design on apps, video editing, content creators, graphic artists, all involve the need for design. Which is why being a graphic designer comes with both the ups and downs, but thinking about the ups. Its really a good place I love to be in. You can also design apparel as a graphic designer. So there's alot of fun involved.

What apparel design looks like this is for Photoshop, but there are more I use.

Some bonus clips

In conclusion, life of being a graphic designer is quite interesting over all and even though there were downs in my journey it all held me to a better future with experience and taught me a way of handling these situations to some extent. And life isn’t that hard as people think or view for graphic designers, of course you will need to know your tools and explain concepts and also be ready for last minute work. But over my 1+ years I loved my whole journey. With these ups and downs, because it shows that I’m alive with all these. When I look back if I hadn’t got these scoldings and such exposure to work I wouldn’t be where I’m today.

So if you like this post/blog please do give it a like and comment below and if you have time to enjoy reading or even just find out my experience please do check my other blogs out. It can be helpful for you :).