Long term career paths for graphic designers and similar

[Nik]

Hi all,

For those of you in the creative industry or similar, I've a question.
As I'm going to turn 1 year past 30 soon, I've been thinking about my future when I reach 35 yrs old and beyond, so it's time to start planning now.

Basically, I'm a graphic designer, but what I've realized is that there are very few graphic designers in their late 30s or 40s right? The ones who are in that age range are usually the Art / Creative Directors. What about the majority of the rest?

Generally speaking, for graphic designers, what's the best route to take to survive financially in the long term? Start own business? Just wondering, because I really do not plan to do graphic design when I'm 40 yrs old.

Besides, from what I know, the older you are, the harder it is to find a graphic design job in the future, meaning I'm going to be hitting the ceiling in a couple years time. In fact, I've already almost hit the ceiling (which is really low in this field).

Of course, the only way to break that ceiling is to aim for an Art Director position, but I've no intention of going in that direction nor am I qualified to.

Any advice would be nice. Definitely do not want to work part-time as a taxi driver cum graphic designer (meaning 9 AM - 6 PM = graphic designer, 7 PM to 2+ AM = taxi-driver, repeat for 6 - 7 days).

Tks!
Nik

this board is not the place to get input about creative industries. most people here are finance/banker wannabes who have different concerns and mindsets from creative people.

[issey]

There are also many post from different industries.I'm sure someone can provide you the info soon.

You won't find any 40 year old graphics designer for the same reason you don't find a 40 year old programmer. These are considered basic level skilled jobs that labour supply is in abundance all over the world.

Generally studios are not interested in paying twice the amount for and oldie when there is an inexhaustible supply of younger and far cheaper workers who are willing to take even more brutal hours and punishing work stress. The amount of junior/fresh graphics designers from China/India/Korea and now even Vietnam is endless and this depresses wage levels.

IMO you only have 2 routes since you are already 30. Either you find a niche in the creative industry and branch out to do something on your own (freelance, sole proprieter, business consultancy owner) or move up to management level where skillset is more strategic. Going down the bare bones on the ground operations in graphic design will be a dead end for you in a few years and the fastest way to end up driving a taxi.

Of course if you are adventurous enough, you can always move back to corporate space, but with the age and lack of meaningful experience, it's going to be a tough sell. You will likely have to take up entry level sales or admin based executive jobs and that might mean a pay cut.

most graphic designers I know of end up moving to web management, digital marketing, corporate communications, marketing communications.