From new installment by David Thorne:
Kevin: (account manager):
[...] I guess having some kind of system in this place is too much to hope for.
David (graphic designer):
We do have some kind of system and it is entirely hope based. Standard operating procedures consist of hoping nobody notices, hoping someone else gets blamed, and hoping account managers make promises only after checking the availability of sources to fulfill those promises.
Happened not infrequently before the collapse of A+D industry 3 yrs ago, but now the arrangement became a routine. Those few that are hanging on full-time work like racehorses, only difference being the designer-horse never wins and runs in carousel fashion.
Especially true it is for freelancers and consultants. Managers drag their feet thinking they’ll save money on payroll if they hire consultants at the last minute.
Then this is what happens: you saw an ad and sent your resume and work samples. Nobody called you for a month or two, then suddenly you have an email on Fri night asking you for an interview at 8am on Monday (“and note: you have exactly 20 min!”) At the interview you are complimented on your portfolio, asked have you ever done such and such work (not exactly), promised you’ll have some time to adjust, informed that the office is finishing up a set of Construction Documents with 2-weeks deadline to send off to DOB, and that it is at 80% completion, so your part is to wrap it up asap. Alarm starts ringing in your ears.
On Tuesday you’re in bright and early, get introduced to the team, and given couple of old drawings to observe office graphic standards. Project manager spends 20 minutes with you describing scope – and you realize the project is not only not at 80%, it’s good if it’s at 50%: plans are not finished, neither are structural details, partition sections are missing 3 or 4 crucial ones (fire-rated and dividing walls), mechanical drawings are not finalized by engineers so you are not sure where your ducts are on the ceiling (and you are responsible for Reflected Ceiling Plan, with all lights &). Nobody started interior elevations, no kitchens and no bathrooms are designed, no specs for equipment selected.
Your hair stands on end in horror; you approach PM and tactfully try to explain you’ll need a junior designer (make it two) to maintain the deadline. At which point you’re told everybody have their own load of work, that they thought you are a professional and that you were chosen among dozens to give you a chance to prove yourself… You strain, you give all you have, you come first to the office and leave last – often at 9pm, and by heroic effort in 10 business days you raise the completion to approx 75%. After first two days PM starts raising his voice at you, in a week he is positively shouting and in two they call you to Principal’s office and tell you they are disappointed and have to let you go!
A human grist mill.
It became a norm rather than an unfortunate exception
Finally, something worse than software development.
(Software developers may disagree.)
I thought it’s old news, that everybody know. Tend to forget – not everyone in same trenches.
I went to profession to be creative! To think before put pencil to paper (so to speak)! No time, no time for that…
oh yeah, sounds very familiar, can be applied to the software developer world as well.
I feel your pain.
Still, it is the best profession in the world.
I speak of myself, of course.
Jupiter and the Monkey
JUPITER ISSUED a proclamation to all the beasts of the forest and promised a royal reward to the one whose offspring should be deemed the handsomest. The Monkey came with the rest and presented, with all a mother’s tenderness, a flat-nosed, hairless, ill-featured young Monkey as a candidate for the promised reward. A general laugh saluted her on the presentation of her son. She resolutely said, “I know not whether Jupiter will allot the prize to my son, but this I do know, that he is at least in the eyes of me his mother, the dearest, handsomest, and most beautiful of all.”
-AESOP
is that a latest chain letter? I’m glad you’re reading Classics (re-reading?) instead of my boring post
I’ve loved Aesop’s tales since childhood.
even if the tale bears little connection to the post – thanks for sharing
It’s a direct follow up to your comment.
” ETat
Still, it is the best profession in the world.
I speak of myself, of course.”
It would be – if you clicked on the “reply button” @that comment.
My profession IS the best one – for me. I know it is, because when I am working the world is my oyster. I live when I work.
The first sentence in response to Vinny shows EXACTLY why you can’t keep a job.
You really ARE nasty to everyone and anyone. And you wonder why you get into so many internet fights. You start it and then you get insulted when someone replies.
What’s shocking is that someone would hire you in the first place.
*monkey @Carmel, Indiana,
why didn’t you sign this shit-dump? (I call you “monkey” since that’s your email moniker) Oh, right – because you are a shit-throwing cowardly monkey. Makes sense.
I don’t “wonder” why I get into fights – that would be idiotic: I speak my mind openly and directly always and everywhere, on purpose – and is some monkey gets butthurt, well – next time they will know better then mess with me).. oh, right, that’s YOU who “wonders” – makes sense again.
I could have simply trashed your piece of shit, monkey – but I want my other readers to see what scam floats occasionally to my place.
Adieu, monkey, now you can choke on your acid reflex.