graphic design in Canada

alansan

Hi everyone,
I'm looking for some experience-based reports on the graphic design scene in Canada. I know that's a very broad starting point.

The reason I ask is that I am thinking of emigrating from Ireland to Canada and graphic design, typography and teaching design are my areas of expertise.

Specifically I'm wondering are graphic senior designers well paid relative to the cost of living in Canada? What is the standard of graphic design like in Canada and where are the best places to practice it?

Here in Ireland I am quite well paid but as I'm sure you've heard, we are now one of the most expensive countries in the Eurozone.

Graphic Design here is heavily-centered in Dublin and is mostly of a poor standard realative to countries like Holland and the UK. This is basically because of the conservative catholic culture and the lack of a strong tradition in visual arts. Also, the less said about the climate the better.

I would appreciate any contributions, however anecdotal. Thanks.

Alansan

MannyP Design

Check out RGD Ontario -- it's a good launch point to other provincial organizations.

Here's a link to a report that should shed some light:
http://www.rgdontario.com/survey/03_survey.pdf

It's pretty detailed and should help you out.

As for anecdotes... It's cold here in the winter.

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Manny | Graphic Designer

Fan of comics, zombies, and superheroes? How about a comic about a Zombie Superhero? ZOM-BEN STRIKES!

alansan

Thanks alot for that Manny, exactly what I was looking for.

robert

Also look at the quality of life across Canada. By this I mean that Vancouver is not as driven by money as say Ontario.
The people are not as stressed and much friendlier. (my experience only having lived in both places) The east coast rocks, but employment sucks. Shame.
Climate is also a factor. Nicest people I met are from Winnipeg, the coldest place in Canada in the winter.
Research areas to live as well as jobs/salary.
Hope this helps,
Robert
PS: Welcome to ehmac, a fantastic site for information. Also try here:
http://www.macmagic.ca/cgi-local/ultimatebb.cgi

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JAMG

Graphic design positions are available in all major population centres across Canada, but the vast majority are in the Greater Toronto area in Southern Ontario. This is the largest population centre. {Also has a vibrant irish community and 5 or 6 Gaelic Football teams in a league that includes Ottawa and Montreal.}

Although you will find a range of employment attitudes stretching from "Be gratefull to have a job because any 8yr old can do what you do" to "very very lucritive, here is more money, please don't leave}

I have never worried about being unemployed since coming to Toronto... And I've changed jobs 7 times...

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Guinness

Alansan, I'd be interested in finding out a little more about your background, as we're always looking for talent. Do you have a porfolio available on the web?

Mike

www.imagineeringart.com

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agent4321

I've been into graphic design for over 10 years now in the Greater Vancouver area. I've worn a wide range of 'hats' in my travels from small design studios to mid to large advertising firms. Currently I'm working for a mid to large Western Canadian company in their advertising department. The company specializes in home audio and electronics, the pay is good and the hours are regular and flexible.

Back to the point...the graphic design community here in Vancouver is small and tight and it's not what you know it's who you know. There are jobs here to be had but most of them are 'cattle calls' and lean more towards production work than 'graphic design'.

The cost of living depends where you live, the farther you are from the city the cheaper it gets. I live about a 1:15 mins from where I work, but my rent is $700 for a 1 bedroom. A 1 bedroom in Downtown Vancouver will start from $1000+.

Here's some links to check out.

Tourism Vancouver

How to Get Good Graphic Design

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MannyP Design

Incidentally, anyone here a member of a GD org akin to RGD?

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Manny | Graphic Designer

Fan of comics, zombies, and superheroes? How about a comic about a Zombie Superhero? ZOM-BEN STRIKES!

alansan

Thanks for all the info everybody. Also thanks you your personal interest Mike, but I'm not quite at the job searching stage yet.

JAMG

« MannyP Design »
ehMac ID# 59
posted November 25, 2004 08:47 AM
Incidentally, anyone here a member of a GD org akin to RGD?


Normally, I subscribe to the belief that if you can't say some thing nice...

I have had very limited experience with RGDer but consistantly those who use that designation have been more impressed with it than anyone else. I have never come in contact with it in "Professional Graphics houses, ie.. newspaper, Ad Agencies, Printers... but did have 2 client that only hires employees who were RGD. These were financial industry companies and their files where nothing to cheer about.

I think their Human resources dept used the designation in lieu of actually understanding the DTP processes.


But I will be the first to admit my exposure to RGDers has been limited and should not be viewed as a condemnation of all members. RGD seems linked to Aquent who is a so-called head hunter/Placement agency whom I have found to be of little value personnally, both as a perspective applicatn and as someone who has tried to hire freelancers through them.

Just my 2¢

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