Advice for a troubled Designer
 

Hey everyone, first off I want to apologise in advance if I sound completely unaware, as I have a feeling that I really do not know what I am doing.

Here is the background story, I have a BA arts in Interior Design from Singapore Institure of Technology, tried to do Graphic Design for a large local MNC (will not name the company for obvious reasons) as I felt that I didn't want to pursue designing spaces in the local job market as its either not profitable enough or allows enough progression (violently against working for design and build, no offense just personal). Was hoping the stint doing Graphic Design would help me establish what was meant to be a stepping stone to reach a point where I could eventually be a Design lecturer. After close to 2 years (graduated in June 2015) am realising that I really do not believe in the company and what they do and that there is very little to almost no long term sustainable progression in the company.

Considered switching careers to either banking or something in the government sector but am worried that the lack of a degree in related fields will be a serious issue. Was actually prepared to quit my job and go take all the CPAs (1b 5 6 6a 8 8a 9 hi BCP PGI) and then make the jump but aside from a few friends who have business/finance backgrounds I really don't have any info on what to do so I do not want to jump the gun.

Am not afraid of the hard work, am only afraid I am going in blind and wasting another few years of my life. Am only 26 this year so that also explains why I am so ready to quit as I have no major commitments, and I have rainy day savings to tide me awhile.

Could anyone advise if the jump is a smart move career wise? Should I actually go back to spatial design instead? Back in my school days I actually did research on the Arts Master Plan so while searching government jobs I did try to look for those specifically but so far no responses from my applications.

Really appreciate any feedback or advice given, and I am more than willing to share more information in private or answer and questions in this thread if its not too sensitive information.

keen to go into digital marketing? design skills are useful in that field.

Work for another company if this one doesn't work for you. Don't generalize the whole industry or career path just because your current company is lousy.

You are just asking for trouble if anyhow jump into banking and accounting when you don't even have any knowledge, interest or qualifications in the first place.

Your qualifications will not get you anywhere near the lucrative parts of banking, most likely end up either in back office operations or retail sales. These are long hours & repetitive jobs that are unlikely to fit someone from creative side.

If you go take CPA/ACCA now you will just end up as a "too old" accountant without any relevant experience. Chances are you will be doing entry level work in small auditing firms or book keeping in SMEs. These are again unlikely to be suitable for you.

I am currently already doing that where I am in addition to other things, the work isn't the thing putting me off its the company actually.

This is what I mean, on one hand I have been told I can still try, on the other I am also told it is kind of "too late" to switch careers.

I think you are spot on, I am quite sick of the company actually, like I mentioned to the other reply I don't mind the work I just don't see myself working in my current company anymore, and there are many other reasons in addition to the lack of prospects, more than half of my team aside from designers are leaving as well. I think it is a very alarming indicator of the department.

Now the most pressing concern I have is, will where I am able to go in my industry allow me to live the life I want and generate enough passive income? I say that because I have this impression that being a designer does not pay well here...but without a base income I might not have enough to expand my investment portfolio, short of taking loans and all that.

Again sorry, but these are all questions that I have no idea who to ask, even when I talk to my own family/friends/lecturers etc.

depends which area of design you're in. For example Ive seen UX design roles which pay very well.

At this stage it is much more important to try out in other companies with different culture, different job scope, get to know more people in the industry etc. Only through that can you increase your chances to find the correct company fit and hopefully allow you to gain useful experience and increase market value.

Generating passive income that sort of thing while important, should not be the driving force for career decisions for someone who is so young and just starting out. Accounting and banking honestly isn't half as good as it is made out to be, a small minority will reap the big rewards, but otherwise to most others its just a normal paying job with the usual uncertainties.

Sound advice, sorry for the late reply, I guess its true that I am only just beginning, its just my nature to really consider all these details, been like that since I was younger. I am planning to try designing spaces again since that really was a very strong skill for me (or at least according to my peers and mentors).

Just have to try things out, was just concerned that I was starting on the wrong foot haha. Thanks again!

Hey, sorry I replied late, I am trained in interior/architectural design, basically designing spaces, but along the way I picked up graphic design out of interest and just wanting to learn more. I even have my own little sideline I do for fun designing merchandise and selling them, mostly in the US. Earns a bit of pocket money but nothing major.

Nanyang Poly has a new part-time course in UX design

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