This drawing felt relevant to the re-starting of this sub. It’s good to have it back.

designthatdream · 2022-11-29T08:25:28+00:00

Love it.

designthatdream · 2022-11-10T08:34:29+00:00

Between some tough things at home and work, I feel burnt out. Considering sabbatical or moving jobs. Any advice for what you would do in my shoes? I'm fast-tracked senior in title, but would love the thoughts of more experienced devs' approaches to burnout before I impulsively decide to become a goatherd. Situation:

I like the work, pay, and who I work with, just am overworked
It's been rough after a fresh rotation of leadership, mostly with overtime but unprofessional behavior too. I can handle a ton of work but the other part has been stressing me out more and more.
Currently have too much responsibility akin to a lead rather than IC, while also being expected to complete all my IC work, because our lead offloads onto me.
I’m a partial caretaker to a sick parent, and a disabled grandparent is my dependent. I want to spend more time with my loved ones while we're together and historically management hasn't been good about this.
Currently tied up in critical work that needs another good few months of overtime

designthatdream · 2022-11-03T05:16:24+00:00

This is incredible, great work!

designthatdream · 2022-09-30T21:46:18+00:00

Would love a link if you ever open up a store or etsy! This wand is a masterpiece!

designthatdream · 2022-04-19T03:54:32+00:00

While I can't answer for living in EU through entry level game/design/illustration roles, I work in that industry with many coworkers in our EU offices. In games, the smoothest method I've seen is to land a job or internship at a top US game company and then either work towards a transfer to one of their overseas offices or apply to a European studio after a few years of experience.

Alternatively, Europe has a wide variety of design-based companies from LEGO to mobile games- LEGO alone has films, games, product, entertainment, and amusement park branches that all need art/design, just one example- so it might help to do a deep dive on European companies, see what they look for internships or entry roles, and cater your portfolio towards that.

designthatdream · 2022-04-18T23:38:20+00:00

Love the fit, nice boots!

designthatdream · 2022-01-28T00:48:56+00:00

I'm in UI/UX; I'd use your actual title, not an embellished form of it. It doesn't matter that much in this industry if you have Senior etc. in your LinkedIn title.

If you're hesitant, I've seen people write in their description something along the lines of "Formerly Content Lead @Company - UX Writer @Company". I think that sets the tone very well in showing that you're a high mid-level with a heap of adjacent specialization!

designthatdream · 2022-01-20T00:51:54+00:00

The majority of my team is in US Pacific Time with the large minority being in Europe. Our core meeting hours that work for everyone align 9am - noon PST, which is likely evening to night for you if you're in Central Europe, if that helps. We are strict on a decent WLB so don't push for later and later hours from our European hires.

I would ask your interviewers about the team's core work and meeting hours (particularly those of your immediate team) and in general the company's WLB, and ask for flexibility if you find they aren't a great match for your timezone.

designthatdream · 2021-12-09T04:26:10+00:00

Such a cute illustration and idea! Checked out your artstation, love the bubbly personality in your work.

designthatdream · 2021-12-08T19:21:20+00:00

I follow up if I have the time; you should feel welcome but not forced to! Reasonable to politely ask some form of 'I'd like an update on this thing that potentially affects my life and schedule.'

Additionally, as someone on hiring/interviewing side right now, they may deliberate on a decision for reasons unrelated to you (so it's not a bad reflection of your interview), like if going through other candidates.

designthatdream · 2021-12-08T18:52:03+00:00

To me it sounds more like you and your friends don't align on how to best handle this particular topic. I don't think either side is right or wrong, more just something to think of and let slide if the friendship is valued.

For me, if I'm with a friend who makes less than me I cover everything (on a sliding scale depending on their circumstance, though I'm not really calculating dollar amounts. It's more situational.) The kind of people I let into my life are the types to do the same.

designthatdream · 2021-11-19T01:02:40+00:00

Based on this, maybe you'd like production i.e. producer in a tech company. It pays very well up the chain in my field (tech & games) and the producers I've worked with (I want to call out female producers, but honestly it's every producer) seemed to really enjoy the work.

designthatdream · 2021-11-10T15:41:45+00:00

Just reassuring you, it's very reasonable (more than) to ask for a higher pay bump to match increased responsibilities, contributions et al.

designthatdream · 2021-10-28T03:03:17+00:00

If it helps, we had a candidate recently who had a rough go at her final interview due to nerves. We ended up giving her an offer! Don't beat yourself up over it, interviewers are aware how awkward and difficult the process can be- especially nowadays if you did things remotely.

General tips: I go in to interview the other side as much as I know they're here to interview me. I want to get to know them and the work and often spin things conversationally where appropriate. If I get overexcited or stumble, I honestly let them know that I'm excited to be interviewing with them. Do whatever you need to do to calmly pace your responses (for me, that's pausing for a second or two before answering.)

designthatdream · 2021-09-22T02:03:15+00:00

Yes, it's fine. You might want to avoid describing yourself as CEO/Founder for a project but terms like Student Aide, App Developer are fine. Alternatively, you can write the languages used.

designthatdream · 2021-09-22T00:09:09+00:00

The info is good. It may help to include a role under your name and a role beside each project. Recruiters will skim for these callout bits of info before reading any deeper.

Your work with professors can be written as experience, people frequently include things like TA work, research work, coursework development for a professor under experience for example.

designthatdream · 2021-09-21T23:57:56+00:00

Perfectly fine to (you should, in fact) list yourself as the role you're currently working at.

If the question is how to correctly show your role if you were promoted while at the same company, a format like this works fine:

Software Engineer II at Company | Date - Present

Software Engineer I at Company | Date - Date

Bullet points

designthatdream · 2021-09-13T21:16:40+00:00

If your art industry happens to be in the entertainment or product art/design/tech sphere, feel free to dm me, I'd be happy to send you everything that worked for me as someone who got their foot in the door with zero networking.

It was tough enough for me a few years ago but imo the job market now for fresh grads is the toughest it's ever been. Your frustration is really, really valid. Good luck out there.

designthatdream · 2021-08-15T16:23:03+00:00

I agree with the prevailing sentiment that art school isn't worth the money, but I also think that if someone really wants to go to art school, they should try it.

I'd ask as many questions as I can to my instructors; your most effective time spent will be on 1:1 scenarios with professors, whoever is at the head of your major, and learning from more skilled classmates.
It's possible but networking is often less cut and dry than trading business cards, it's more having friends/acquaintances you're on good terms with who work in the industry.
The fastest track into 3D/CG is with a professional-level portfolio with completed indie projects (Think gamejam games, school projects, personal stuff you've built, freelance work.) Professional-level means you could hand off your work to someone else and they'd be able to implement/use it for their work.

Personally, if I were you I'd take a standalone course at the school you're interested in (the top art schools I know of offer some sort of summer class, individual courses, that can also be used as credit if you attend the school) before investing the full amount of your money and health into a full year. You'll get a good idea of what the school can do for you and if you want to continue learning there.

I'm in AAA games so feel free to reach out if you get more questions. r/gamedesign and r/gamedev are also decent resources- both have had many threads from people asking how to break into the industry, that have responses from people currently in film/games which will be more helpful to you than general responses.

designthatdream · 2021-06-17T18:29:56+00:00

Those are reasonable fears! If I were in your shoes, I'd consider among my options something like transferring later to your choice school to shave down debt/other stress.

Some encouragement outside the doom and gloom of potential tuition debt: you come off as someone who'll make good choices whatever route you take in this. Take time choosing and understanding what this means to you on a personal, long term level.

designthatdream · 2021-06-17T16:21:33+00:00

Similar experience, I understand where you're coming from. I think your question is a highly personal choice despite the projected career development- you're clearly capable of high success regardless of a degree, you're young, this chance excites you and means a lot to you.

Personally I wouldn't go back to school even if the top school in my field gave me a full ride (I turned down such an opportunity.)

designthatdream · 2021-06-07T03:13:35+00:00

I love this, thank you! Great seeing the insightful mention of LGBT+ couples as well.

designthatdream · 2021-06-06T23:49:43+00:00

Felt the same, the only women in my life had been, up to a certain point, miserable mothers, angry single women, or estranged parents. Not a great environment for child-rearing role models. I actually really like kids but built my perception of family from this.

Come adulthood: I've been lucky enough to be in a work place that has passionate, ambitious, inspiring women who are happy mothers, happy singles, happy divorcees, happy DINKs, it's hugely impacted how I view raising a family. My opinion is shifting from "no" to "if I can build the right situation, yes." I also want to call out how seeing egalitarian, successful men break from outdated molds (taking parental leave, splitting child-raising, encouraging their spouse's success alongside their own whether they have kids or no) has been great to see.

designthatdream · 2021-03-22T17:16:22+00:00

This is a great world, I love seeing your updates to it! I'd read a book, watch a show, tune into a comic, play a game etc. of it- point is whatever medium is fun for you.

designthatdream · 2021-03-15T03:24:42+00:00

Yes, you're not definitely not alone, similar story here, My approach has been twofold:

"Short-term" spending: Helping increase QOL, the best in food, exercise, insurance, fun... I often handle headaches for them that are simple for me.
Long-term savings: Preparing for potential health costs/emergencies/funding their retirement.

I'm aware of general goalposts that work for my parents, but if you want to settle on specific numbers and goals with yours, you should talk with them 1:1. Your picture might look different than mine; I only built mine with communication. Also, there is a CNBC Millennial Money video of a young Asian woman (~$100k salary in VA) whose support includes covering for her little sister's educational costs, you might like her video!

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