Tone is so difficult. Struggle to get past receptionists and PAs, but no one ever replies to cold call emails. Frustrating.

And the other thing. I keep being told I'm "over qualified" for some of the freelance jobs I'm applying for through agencies. Assuming what they really mean is "more expensive than we'd like".

Noticed that the average wage for an experienced designer has dropped to c.25K, which is mentally low for the hours, responsibility and stress involved. Wonder if it's a sign of a flooded market. Also noticing high turnover, with the same companies advertising the same roles every 6 months or so. Never a good sign...

I was north, just below 25K until just after the crash. Moved south but nothing doing over 28K, and then they want blood and 70 hours a week salaried for that. Madness.

Industry seems to be in a weird place at the moment.

Tell me about it. Last place I was at, ceiling for senior designers was 28K. Account Execs started on 55K and Directors were on 100K+ (and both got bettter working hours and flexible time which designers weren't allowed).

Industry needs a full on revolution, it's in an absolute mess.

Also, I need to stop ranting.

Im fine with the ranting, i totally agree with you.

There is a shit attitude that runs through the design industry (games as well) where working long hours carries a badge of honour. People talk about 3am finishes like they are war stories. 
Of course there always has to be an element of flexibility in hours when working in a creative way but if people are putting in hours and hours for free then at some point the studio has failed, be it costing, planning, ability or resource.

The trouble with ads like that is they are going to get an incompetent boob. Probably someone desperate who just says they can do it to get a foot in the door.
Recruiters should be questioning that but lets not get started on recruiters.

If i was to encourage newbies I would say learn some coding to back you up. HTML5 or C++ or whatever, If they want to do 3D then learn character rigging.
Main thing I would say is DON'T WORK FOR FREE!!!

lol

Would be good to see your stuff Mike (and Jaco).
I dabble in motion graphics but its really basic stuff.

I feel that pain.
Some lovely stuff on your site though, i would order everything off that Biltong menu!
I like the Calvin like theme.

They are the ones that always come out the best. Funny that, letting a designer design, who would have thought?

@pantyfire loads of designers in that position mate. Problem is you could run into IR35 issues with HMRC too, unless you're limited or working through an umbrella company. Considering how many folk work freelance now, the government have made it much harder than it needs to be.

Unlucky dude, at least you were in the final two. Just use the feedback to your advantage for next time.

Bad luck mike. Sounds like positive feedback though to improve for the next time round.

Cheers for the support chaps. Just got to wait for the next opportunity.

My job is officially 9am - 9pm, although in reality I don't finish until 9 30 and anything after 9pm is unpaid. This is annoying, but recently my boss has said he'd like me to start arriving at 8 45 too as this is when one of the barbers arrive and he doesnt like waiting in the cold for me to arrive with the key. Again this extra 15 mins is unpaid.

In the last 10 days my bus has been late twice, and this has resulted in me arriving at- literally- 8 46 and 8 47. On both occasions this barber has complained to the boss at at 8 45 sharp that he cant get in. So now my boss wants me to arrive at 8 30 so that even if my bus is late I still arrive on time. again this is unpaid.

I'm so fucked off about this. Nothing I can do about it but I wanted to vent.

Apart from the unpaid bits at the start and and end, it's actually quite a nice job. Further, the alternative for me is going to be sales or kitchen work, both of which I hate more than an unpaid hour each day.