The recession looks different depending on what you do and where you conduct business. We’d like to know how our colleagues in the creative industry are faring ...

Please include:
  • What you do (painter, web designer, writer, programmer, illustrator, photographer, account executive, etc)
  • Where you are located

I’m a web developer here in Atlanta. Pretty much seeing it as you are, I suppose. Things have slowed down a little, but I’m surviving, and people keep calling me wanting web work done, so it could be a lot worse!

Personally, having my home hit by burglary (whether related or not) has me feeling the recession. At least emotionally. We have already replaced the TV - you’re welcome - hope it feels stimulating.

Professionally, the recession (thus far) is akin to visiting the Zoo. It’s happening to animals on the other side of the fence. We are as busy and prosperous as we have ever been and not really seeing any signs of that changing.

Wayne Pelletier
Creative Director
Response Mine Interactive

I’ve been a graphic designer for over twenty five years, but most times I have to work regular jobs to pay the bills. I was let go from my job as a hotel night auditor last November and am on unemployment now. There doesn’t seem to be very much out there in the way of jobs right now and I can only hope something changes before my unemployment runs out. Michigan has the worst unemployment rate, or so I’ve heard. I know our governor hasn’t done diddly to help us.

Thankfully, I have been able to maintain a steady workload (special thanks to RMI).  Web-related work has remained relatively strong for us since August 08 despite having had a number of large projects get pulled due to budget cuts. Bob, you are right, it could be a lot worse.

Through my contacts at the AIA, I’ve also gotten wind of some rather nasty staffing shenanigans around Atlanta ... A few recent graduates who were lucky enough to find jobs were let go after their “trial” period ended.  Seems a major local design agency is taking advantage of laws that allow business owners to retain staff up to the point when they MUST start paying them as full-time employees.  These kids were working 60 hours a week when they were given pink slips. Their replacements were walking in as they were walking out.

16toads Design, Web Design, Atanta

I’ve been an illustrator since May 2007.  I’m located in Perth, Australia.  So far the recession hasn’t affected me, my business has quadrupled, but it has affected people I know in creative fields.  More so on finding clients and relying on a fulltime job (which are scarce).  I’m noticing that those working freelance (such as myself) are picking up a lot more jobs.

Wow. Talk about an out-of-the-way place to be raking in freelance illustration ... Perth!  I have a handful of questions for you out of curiosity.  Is this illustration work you are finding local, in-country, and/or international?  And, what kinds of ballpark rates are you able to charge for your work?  Have you been able to maintain your rates?  And, what types of markets / projects are you illustrating for?  (No need to give away any secrets, general information is fine).

What I have seen in the U.S. market is disturbing and annoying.  The creative vendors who seem to have increased business are the ones who charge the least for their services.  I have received many dozens of inquiries from potential clients who are “quote shopping” for the cheapest vendor they can find ... People expecting me to lower my rates to compete with far less qualified creative vendors.  The rub is that these same bargain hunters are not passing along any savings to their own clients by lowering their rates/product prices.

Please don’t take this questioning the wrong way, I mean absolutely no disrespect.  As a fellow (unsuccessful) illustrator, I wish you continued success.

I am simply curious if a similar market cycle is occurring in your far-flung corner of the world or if Perth happens to be a hotbed for illustrators?

Wow a lot of questions!  =)  Thanks for your interest.

The illustration work I’m finding is all local, in-country and international.  Not limited to any specific area.  I get a lot of enquiries through my website, so I’d say that is a big help.  In regards to rates, I won’t be specific of how much I charge on a public forum, but I can say that I charge in accordance with GAG rates with no problem.  Customers give me budgets (which are always too low) and I quote what I feel is right, and they accept and I haven’t had one turned down yet.  Markets/projects I’m currently illustrating for - private projects (custom illustrations for weddings, birthdays etc.  Original work as well as invitations etc.)  Cd covers & layouts, logo designs, book spreads (jacket flap covers), website character designs,  the list goes on.  In regards to what market, I guess you could say they are teenage/adult based.  I do also get a number of jobs that I have to turn down because they don’t suit me/I don’t have the skills (extreme computer based)  or they aren’t what I’m interested in doing.

I don’t charge low rates for my services, but I do have a style to my work that many find appealling.  So I guess that helps me stand out in what is becoming a saturated market.

Perth has a number of rising illustrators - Sean Morris, Jodee Knowles, Creepy plus established illustrators for books - Shaun Tan etc.  I think Perth is such an isolated place that we all have to fight so much to get noticed by the ‘outside world’ so our work has a strength of its own, and by the time we get to that level it also has a unique style.  I could be wrong, but that is my feeling anyway.

I also want to note that with my business I think outside of the box in how I present my work & where I get noticed.  I exhibit regularly in group art shows, have solo art exhibitions every 2 years, plus create products that I sell online, in retail stores and at designer markets.  The extra exposure brings in a constant stream of extra jobs.

I genuinely appreciate the response Ali.  I’ve spent the past hour touring your site and the sites of all the illustrators you named - a very impressive collection of talent.  Inspirational.

Perth is without a doubt a hotbed of illustration talent and I wish you and all of your compatriots all the success you can muster.  I’ve got to get back to the drawing board :]

Well, i lost my previous job and so did my parents. Right now i’m just glad i have work again.

Regards,
Hariet
Placement financier