Online Graphic Design Business

[rwdrwdrwd]

I would suggest you do a little research in terms of the employability of those with "soft" qualifications.

Do not live in a dream world!

"Hard" qualifications in maths, science , physics , medicine, law, engineering etc, will virtually guarantee employment.

Those who opt for easier qualification will find life difficult. That is not to deny that some will find success.

This standpoint may have been accurate around 18 years ago, but it is not now.

The market for digital publishing skills (including non technical paths such as graphic design, UX and information architecture) is booming and has been for at least the last decade. Salaries up to the 80k GBP / 130k USD are not unheard of and daily rates for freelance roles reflect this, it is also an industry well attuned to remote working.

[Sceptict11]

I would suggest you do a little research in terms of the employability of those with "soft" qualifications.

Do not live in a dream world!

"Hard" qualifications in maths, science , physics , medicine, law, engineering etc, will virtually guarantee employment.

Those who opt for easier qualification will find life difficult. That is not to deny that some will find success.

This standpoint may have been accurate around 18 years ago, but it is not now.

The market for digital publishing skills (including non technical paths such as graphic design, UX and information architecture) is booming and has been for at least the last decade. Salaries up to the 80k GBP / 130k USD are not unheard of and daily rates for freelance roles reflect this, it is also an industry well attuned to remote working.

Seems you are out of date !

See here for an analysis of failed IT "graduates"

http://www.cphc.ac.uk/docs/reports/cs_graduate_unemployment_report.pdf

See here for an laysis of "graphic designer" salaries ! 80k does not make the scale !

http://www.reed.co.uk/average-salary/media-digital-creative/graphic-design

Edited October 7, 2013 by Sceptict11

[rwdrwdrwd]

Seems you are out of date !

See here for an analysis of failed IT "graduates"

http://www.cphc.ac.uk/docs/reports/cs_graduate_unemployment_report.pdf

I'm speaking from 15 years experience in the field, which is ongoing. There are at any one time loads of well paid jobs in IT and related design fields, including UX

http://www.theitjobboard.co.uk/index.php?SearchTerms=UX〈=en&Mode=AdvertSearch

http://www.cwjobs.co.uk/JobSearch/Results.aspx?Keywords=UX

The problem with IT graduates in general is that a mediocre result and a lack of demonstrable experience (rightly, imo) places you below non-degree educated candidates with a portfolio in the eyes of a recruiter. I know plenty of degree and non-degree educated UX designers with well paid and successful careers. Conversely, I am sure that prospects for recipients of mediocre Media Studies results are far lower than mediocre Medical or Law students. The former are up against skilled and motivated non-academic individuals, and you don't get too many practicing self-taught doctors or lawyers.

Getting a good result and having a strong demonstrable portfolio will 'guarantee' a career. Getting a crappy result is pretty pointless however, and a waste of time all round.

In terms of 80k not making the scale, the scale is incorrect then - there is an opening for a freelance UX Designer @ 450GBP/day and a perm role for Head of UX @80k GBP here - http://www.theitjobboard.co.uk/IT-Jobs/UX/all-locations/all/0/relevance/en/?source=Search&Page=1&OrderBy=3 - these are real jobs, they are for accomplished graphic design specialists, and similar positions are regularly advertised. Searching for 'graphic design' rules out the niche areas and specialties in the industry that tend to pay more money.

IT jobs watch does some excellent charting - http://www.itjobswatch.co.uk/jobs/uk/user%20experience%20designer.do you can see there that the demand has increased greatly even over the past 5 years, and that once you hit the top percentile it's beyond 80k. Even top 10% is >65k

Edited October 7, 2013 by rwdrwdrwd

[Sceptict11]

Thank you.

Interesting but the information provided does not not alter the fact that there are many unemployed so called IT graduates, many emanating from ex polytechnics which now masquerade as universities.

The jobs to be seen in the links provided all seem to demand high levels of skill/knowledge/experience and are based in London on the basis of a 6 month employment contract !

I cannot see any jobs which relate to "freelance" graphic designers based in Thailand which was the origin of this thread !

[rwdrwdrwd]

Thank you.

Interesting but the information provided does not not alter the fact that there are many unemployed so called IT graduates, many emanating from ex polytechnics which now masquerade as universities.

The jobs to be seen in the links provided all seem to demand high levels of skill/knowledge/experience and are based in London on the basis of a 6 month employment contract !

I cannot see any jobs which relate to "freelance" graphic designers based in Thailand which was the origin of this thread !

The point of the links I posted was to address the inference that there were no jobs in IT (and specifically the creative side of the industry). I agree that many IT graduates are unemployed, and attempted to address this in the first paragraph of the previous response - the problem is that they have mediocre degrees - those with firsts and seconds and strong portfolios walk into roles.

I'd agree that a mediocre media studies degree is worth less than a mediocre law degree from an employment prospect perspective.

The better paying of the jobs I linked to tend toward the 5 - 10 year commercial experience level, I'd say this is the point at which creatives tend to move into either consulting or lead / head roles - still creative based. I believe that this is also the point where the feasibility of successfully operating as a well paid remote resource becomes far greater - this is the stage at which one has 5 years or more of demonstrable history, has built up a network of previous clients and colleagues and is likely to begin receiving headhunter emails.

I didn't claim that a new graduate would walk into an 80k role (they won't), this sort of salary becomes available to the best a good few years into their career. There are perm roles in that list if you look thoroughly (although in my experience contracts tend to roll for a few years anyway).

Some of these roles (and of course this is just one job board) will likely entertain very experienced remote candidates with references, wherever in the world they may live - it will be a low percentage of course, and candidates would have greater stead converting an on-site role into a remote one after proving their worth, however I know from personal experience that it is attainable - once a customer is trusting enough to work with a remote candidate, it is often irrelevant where 'remote' may be, and once you have a couple of clients they can act as references to your capability as a remote worker.

Clients will not advertise for a remote worker in Thailand (unless they expect to pay low), it is up to the candidate to locate potential openings and alleviate concerns regarding the remote nature - this gets far easier with experience and references. Many clients will entertain a short trial with a lower rate, particularly for hard to fill roles. Basically, the best approach is to be pro-active, persistent and a good worker.

The links I posted are relevant to the thread because two or three negative points have been made to the OP that I believe are inaccurate:

1 - It's been inferred that Graphic Design is basically a non-job and a mickey-mouse degree - the employment market suggests otherwise (though you need to do well in the degree)

2 - It's been suggested that any work found would be badly paid (there was a rhetorical question intimating that it would be less than the 800k or 400k required for non-imm o extensions) - it's certainly not, if you have the experience.

3 - Freelancers (aka contractors) are really 'workshy freeloaders' - some may be, some are certainly not.

My general point is, it is certainly feasible to operate a successful business as a freelance creative from a remote location, it is harder to find work than being available to work onsite, but with enough research and experience it is quite possible to do, and to be paid well (frankly, at the same rate as onsite if you are good enough).

I'm not pretending it is easy, but part of the fun of life is overcoming challenges

Edited October 7, 2013 by rwdrwdrwd

[Soutpeel]

If the answer is yes, how the hell would that work in this backwards country?

I am curious to know why the OP thinks Thailand is backwards because as a non-national of Thailand they want him:

1. to get an appropriate visa/WP to operate a Thai business

2. Pay taxes in Thailand for operating a business from Thailand

Well that depends.

Suppose a businessman goes to Bangkok for a conference. He obviously goes to that conference as a tourist, is it wouldn't make sense to get a work visa to spend 2 or 3 days here while at a business conference. While he is staying in his 5 star hotel, he obviously will check his work emails (work), possibly make a conference call or two (work), and maybe actually complete a few tasks he brought with him (work). Is this man subject to then pay Thailand for the money her earned during his time in the country? And is this man breaking the law for opening work emails while in his hotel room? If the answer is yes to either of those, this is a backwards country.

A graphic designer working from his private room (or hotel) who is paid by foreign companies to a foreign bank account, is getting ripped in the bum if he has to pay Thailand tax on that income for no other reason than he is sitting in Thailand at the time. However, if that money is paid to a Thai bank, then yes, I would say it makes sense Thailand would want to steal some of it, as would any country.

I don't know the law on this, I'm just speaking from a logical viewpoint. Given what I do know of Thailand, they would in fact arrest the businessman if they could for no other reason than to fleece him for as much money possible.

If he attends a conference it is not legal to use a tourist visa. He must also obtain a short term work visa (which is relatively easy to obtain.)

I am being pedantic I know, but for the sake of clarity....there is no such animal as a short term work visa in Thailand, technically speaking the person would require a Non-imm B visa + work permit, either the temporary variety (14 day) for a the full WP dependent on their requirements