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

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?

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 :]

Recession really affected citizens around the world. It is because the economy interconnects among different sectors through different countries. MultiNational Structure of some business framework pose a greater impact for any economic changes. Recession means to a lot of people a huge crisis and it needs to be addressed instantly.