Almost 2 months ago now I learned that the company I have been working for the last 5.5yrs was closing. We were given severance packages and asked to continue on for 8 weeks until the plant was shut down. 7 weeks later, we’re down to the last week and I couldn’t be happier. Working in Prepress was an eye-opening experience to the world of Graphic Design that I live in. It opened my eyes to the number of jobs that don’t come in as “ready for print” as designers think. Files built to the wrong size, images in RGB not in CMYK as they should be, 4 colour type rather than black only… the list could go on but you get the idea. All of this has made me, I hope, a better designer. I am careful to ensure that I am designing in the right colour space for the appropriate output of the job. I watch that I am only using Pantone colours if a Pantone is going to print, otherwise I switch them to CMYK equivalents and so on… I have learned a lot from working in Prepress but it is indeed time to move on. In truth, I have been ready to move on for the last year but didn’t have the motivation to leave a stable, well-paying job to hit the classifieds and look for something new. This has released me, while at the same time providing a small cushion of income should any emergencies arise.
My new job starts only 3 days after this one ends, I will be the lead Graphic Designer for a company that has been around for 35yrs and is still growing here in Edmonton and in Calgary. This is the first time I will have a job (not counting freelance jobs) that is straight graphic design and not working in a print company. I am excited to finally be moving forward in my career. I have also secured another client for myself, I am typesetting the City of Red Deer’s Recreation Facilities guide 3 times a year. Progress, progress is good.
Until next time.