A new video by Kodak's Graphic Communications Group and the Print and Graphics Scholarship Foundation (PGSF):
Kodak's Grow Your Biz blog provides more details on video:A new video entitled The Pathway to Prosperity, Choosing a Career in the Graphic Communication Industry, designed to promote the advantages of a career in the field, features Ben Franklin (played by well known Franklin character actor Ralph Archbold) and Jeff Hayzlett, Chief Business Development Officer and Vice President, Eastman Kodak Company. The nine-minute video, jointly produced by Kodaks Graphic Communications Group and the Print and Graphics Scholarship Foundation (PGSF), provides a comprehensive and entertaining overview of the graphic arts as a high tech, fast paced, modern industry—in stark contrast to the industry of Ben Franklins days. In his conversation with Franklin, Hayzlett contrasts the graphic communications industry of today with the printing industry of the 1700s.
I think this video does a better job of explaining the industry then the previous Power League of Printers video:Approximately 150 DVDs were distributed at Graph Expo during PGSF's Third Education Summit for the Graphic Arts. The group also will distribute the video to junior and senior high schools, college students, parents, tour groups at printing companies, and local school boards. The video is just one of many initiatives to draw the next generation into the industry—the Print and Graphics Scholarship Foundation helps students with educational costs as well.
"Our shared mission, along with Kodak and the Pint and Graphics Scholarship Foundation, is to change the perception of the Graphic Communication industry," explained Raymond J. Prince, NAPL Vice President and Senior Consultant, Operations Management. "Today's mix of technology, craft and communication skills requires bright, talented people. We hope that by educating people about the exciting opportunities in this market, we will spark interest and bring a host of new talent into our industry."
Discussion
By the new talent on Nov 14, 2008
As a part of the "next generation" who has already joined the industry ... can I say I'm a bit disillusioned? I'm almost 5 years out of college (I hold a BS in Graphic Arts & Imaging Technology), and have been laid off once, not to mention that I am barely making $30,000 a year as an estimator at the only position I could find after searching for two months after my recent layoff. The economy is killing our industry, and I can't pay my bills (even while working a second job).
If I could do it over again, I think I would have gone into another industry, because so far, this is ridiculous. The salary calculators are apparently bloated, because I've never made anything close to what I'm supposedly worth. My friends who have pursued other industries are making almost twice as much as I am... and one friend is a secretary with no degree, and she makes more than I do! I'm starting to consider leaving printing behind in favor of something that will actually pay my bills, college degree be damned.
By Brian Regan on Nov 14, 2008
Curious what your exact skills are and what your focus in school was specifically.
The economy is not bad in the printing industry it is bad in a vast majority of industries and not US based, but globally.
Put this into perspective. You just went through Harvard Business School. You have a tremendous amount of debt, but its fine, Lehman Brothers is hiring you and you will be safe. But wait... ouch, look what happened to that company industry. What about the US auto industry, GM has a market cap of $1.8 billion.... I think Apple has $25 billion in the bank, so Apple could literally buy GM for less than $2 billion. What about the Mortgage and housing Industries? I could go on and on...
The reality is, you have a job and that is better than 6.5% (And growing) of our US work force.
Another thing to consider is your approach and how you as an individual work and come across. In my limited knowledge of you, you have a fairly negative view point and chose to find your identity. Both speak about your character and could be drivers in what is holding you back. I think a positive approach and lots of energy and hard work will yield great rewards in this and most all industries.
Best of luck.
By Southeast U.S. for 25 years on Nov 14, 2008
"the new talent" has a very valid point about salaries in this industry, especially for designers. I can name at least 20 college grads that I know who are making $8-12 an hour. They were hired when the economy was thriving!
By John Kramer on Nov 14, 2008
I chose a career in the graphic communication industry only to be laid off when Eastman Kodak purchased controlling shares of Kodak Polychrome Graphics.
By Michael Josefowicz on Nov 14, 2008
Hi New Talent,
There is a good discussion about this over at PrintJunkie.net.
here's the link
http://www.printjunkie.net/forum/topics/2129642:Topic:15955?page=1&commentId=2129642%3AComment%3A27891&x=1#2129642Comment27891
The thing is that the printing industry is moving from craft based outfits to knowledge based professional companies. It sounds like so far you've only found the legacy outfits.
The good news is that there should be new opportunities with some of the more progressive firms. Here's one I found today that sounds like a more professional outfit.
http://www.colortree.com/
Another thing to at least consider is to collaborate with a designer and consider new products and think about business development. Every printer wants more business, with a training in production working with a good innovative designer, I bet you could come up with all kinds of practical possibilities.
Keep your day job.Work on products. What you will find is that getting a piece of new business will move you from the expense to the income side of the ledger. Once you're bringing in income, there is no practical limit to the money you can make.
Good luck! and don't give up. Literate, smart production and project management experts are hard to find, create lots of value. It's just getting the right offer to the right person at the right time.
Search the web. Be ready to relocate if necessary. The future is actually very bright if you know where to look.
By Michael Josefowicz on Nov 14, 2008
Dear new talent,
Don't give up. The future is actually pretty bright, if you can find the right outfit.
The thing is that the Print industry is undergoing major reorganization. It's moving from craft based legacy companies to professionally managed 21st century companies. Sounds like you just haven't found the right outfit. Here's a discussion over at PrintJunkie that should give you some leads..
http://www.printjunkie.net/forum/topics/2129642:Topic:15955?page=1&commentId=2129642%3AComment%3A27891&x=1#2129642Comment27891
This might sound like it's coming from left field, but consider a different approach. If you are good friends with a good graphic designer, consider keeping your day job, and at the same time moving in a different direction.
Production people are on the expense side of the ledger. Business development is on the income side of the ledger. The thing about being on the income side is that there is no upside limit to your earnings.
Meanwhile, business development without detailed production knowledge is impossible. So you might be in just the right position to take advantage of this opportunity, if you can find the right designer and maybe a great business person to collaborate with.
By Dr Joe Webb on Nov 14, 2008
The data quoted at 3:30 in the video are incorrect. Employment forecasts by the Bureau of Labor Statistics were released in August 2008 and they are ALL negative. The video reports 2006 data. If the new data were released in August, didn't anyone check? Or was the video filmed before that?
As far as the constant use of the "60,000 workers" being needed in the industry, employment in the commercial printing industry has declined by -300,000 since 1998. That's -30,000 a year... more than enough to fill the aggregate industry need for workers.
The more data like these are thrown around, the less credibility the other efforts have. It's unfortunate, because this is the best video effort on behalf of the industry that I have seen in quite a while, perhaps ever.
I expect to have all of the data available for my column this Monday.
For those who want to poke around the data on their own, start at http://www.bls.gov/oco/
By Michael Josefowicz on Nov 14, 2008
Dr. Joe,
Thanks for the facts check. Here's the glass half full interpretation for new talent.
Dear new talent,
When a wave of creative destruction moves through the economy, some jobs are lost, new jobs emerge. If you're at the leading edge of innovation, the new jobs are better.
The continued automation of the print industry and the very low cost of entry into design and digital production and the coming of age of Generation Google is the perfect storm for the inflection point for the Print industry.
Never has it been able to do so much Print with so few. Bad news for those in companies that don't get it. Good news for those in companies that do get it. If the world were perfect, the legacy workers would be allowed to use their creativity to define the new uses of Print. But the world is not perfect. So it's probably up to the next generation.
When desktop came in, it was the recent graduates who brought it mainstream. And so it will probably be again. Your generation grew up with the Net. You understand it in a way that no Baby Boomer ever will.
If you happen to be one of us lunatics who also love Print, you're exactly the right person to figure out how to mash up Print and Web, taking the best from both, eliminating the worst from each.
By Andy McCourt on Nov 17, 2008
Very interesting thread. Pretty much the same situation here in Australia although pay may be a little better, especially if you work 3 x 12-hour shifts at a web printer.
Our industry really needs to reach out to 'Generation Y.' The IT skills, colour knowledge and sundry electro-mechanical nous needed to be a great graphic arts all-rounder are actually highly enjoyable for a 20-something. We're just seen as 'uncool.' It's this perception that needs changing. Like a cartoon that appeared in a recent MAN Roalnd publication - two Gen-Y-ers looking at a newspaper and one says "Hey this is really cool - they've downloaded everything and printed it out for us!"
Magazines are a great opportunity - let's hope we see 'Facebook Weekly' or 'Googlezines' soon.
By Alberto on Nov 17, 2008
Sorry to see that it appears that no people of color work in this industry. Even women are not seen, unless a fleeting image in the lower right hand corner at 2:43 was a representative of that gender.
Surprising, considering that Mr. Hayzlett is a sponsor of the Kodak Multicultural Marketing Council. But then, it is truly hard to walk the walk...
By Michael Josefowicz on Nov 18, 2008
I'm not sure I would say none. There are in fact a bunch. At least the two areas I know about - NYC and Atlanta Georgia.
But the general point is well taken. What I have seen is that Asian Americans and Latino Americans seem to be well represented in the upcoming generation, at least in the NY design world. As for the shop floor, that's a shrinking market anyway, so any legacy hiring practices are not going to quickly go away on a large scale.
Meanwhile, take a look at the top management at Xerox. You might be surprised.
By the new talent on Nov 18, 2008
Wow ... I had no idea there would be such a response to my comment! Yes, I realize I sounded very negative in my original post - but in general I'm pretty positive, I promise! I just happen to be a bit frustrated at the moment. And yes, I am very grateful to have employment at all - that's why I took the position I was offered.
I think Michael Josefowicz hit the nail on the head when he said, "The future is actually pretty bright, if you can find the right outfit." Can anyone provide advice on finding that outfit?!?
While I was unemployed, I literally applied to over 200 positions (I'm very open to relocation), but had less than 10 contact me for more information! I would think with a strong background in pre-press, estimating, and project management, I would be a desirable candidate. Maybe I'm just marketing myself incorrectly, maybe my skill-set is not as valuable as I think, or maybe the economy has a lot to do with it ... all I know is that it was a complete lesson in frustration!
I'm definitely still looking for something else, as my current position is not a good fit for multiple reasons. Does anyone have any advice on where to look? I've utilized my local industry groups, PrintWorkers.com and all the requisite job-bank websites. I also regularly check with industry giants like RR Donnelly and Consolidated.
I really appreciate all the comments - if you've got more to say, please don't hestiate! Thank you VERY much!
By Brian Regan on Nov 18, 2008
New Talent,
Shoot me an email and let's set up a time to talk. I own a print focused staffing firm named Semper International and one of our divisions is in fact PrintWorkers.com. I am also part of the group that put this video together as well as many other cool things like our Second Life location.
If anything I can give you some advise and help you look at how things are moving forward and how to position yourself.
[email protected]
By Michael Josefowicz on Nov 18, 2008
Dear new talent,
Getting in touch with Brian makes lots of sense.
But when you next have a little time to waste in front of a computer...
1.Google Printer or Offset printer.
2. Then search through the links.
3. You are looking for a printer that has a website that makes you feel like you would like to work for that company.
4. Then look for some real words about HR.
Finding the right fit is a little like selling printing. It's not sold, it's bought. The buying event happens really fast and then goes away.
Pick the printer you want to work for. Remember you have the value. They just have a business under stress. Get on their radar. When the employment opportunity happens, be ready to respond ...super fast.
Patience. Learn everything you can about estimating, better, faster, cheaper. And meanwhile, Don't quit your day job.
By Alberto on Nov 18, 2008
Michael,
It would be funny if it wasn't so sad. Let me spell it out. My comment was about the video. If I was sitting in a high school class and was presented with this film I could say to myself "Hey there is no one like me in that industry, only white men".
We must be sensitive as to the audience and provide the visual message "All are part of this and welcome here"
By John on Nov 18, 2008
I am in the printing field, and I feel I am fairly young in the field I am 27 and have been working and learning in printing for about 12 years. The biggest problem that I see is the older generation of printers do not lean on the younger generation of printers. How often when you read a trade magazine are the articles written by someone that is young and has a fresh approach to the topic. I live and work near a technical college that has made a major change from traditional printing to a digital printing focused program. They were the first in the state to change and focus on digital while other are still focused on traditional print. I'm not saying traditional print is going anywhere but the concepts being taught there are front line, process techniques that would make a graduate very valuable. That instructor is also younger but his opinion is never sought. I find him very smart in his approach to the printing industry and getting his students ready for a the REAL work environment. Maybe someone should contact him at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College and get information from him on what is going on.
By Michael Josefowicz on Nov 18, 2008
Alberto,
Point well taken about the video.
John,
Good information. Unfortunately it's probably a wide spread problem. The discussion about employment is most often framed from the "industry's" point of view. Meanwhile, it's schools like the one you described and the students they produce that get it.
Norman Sanders, one of the great printers of the last generation once said to a class I was in, "I've seen people who do the same thing wrong for 20 years and call it experience."
It's the same thing that happened when desktop turned into pre press. The schools and the next generation are going to lead this industry to the next stage. Best of luck to you!
By Vinodh Kumar B on Nov 19, 2008
I am from India and the discussion posted in this thread is of more interest worldwide to young professionals like me in the industry. To give a breif background, I have done a engineering degree in Printing Technology and relatively a young professional(27 years old) with five years of experience in the industry. Being passionate about printing technology, started my career in technical sales in selling consumables, moved to an analyst role for digital printing and presently in a senior manager position in sales handling a territory for one of the biggest vendor in the industry globally.
I always do benchmark with the folks who have pursued lucrative career(supposedly)in other industries. I found myself in a reasonably good position compared to them. In our industry, knowledge and industry exposure is the key, for which one has to invest initial few years in acquiring these with constant efforts. The bottomline according to me would be the conviction, ability to envision and the passion for the subject which overall shapes the career well. Look forward to the future of our industry eagerly.
Hi New Talent,
Just a small suggestion. How about considering a project implementation role in MIS(crucial area for future)in a leading print company and shifting to application specialist nature of job with any of the MNCs developing MIS solutions. Just thought of sharing this and wish you all the best for future endeavours. Cheers..!
By Michael Josefowicz on Nov 19, 2008
Dear Vinodh,
Thanks for the input from a growing print market and the view of how it is being done in India. We have much to learn from you.
By Michael Josefowicz on Nov 19, 2008
Vinodh,
Could you possibly point to some links that show how graphic design is taught in India? While we have a vibrant communication design industry, educators are searching for ideas to help us design the best programs for our students.
I think it is not on thread in this discussion so feel free to continue directly to me at [email protected]
Thank you.
By Michael Josefowicz on Nov 22, 2008
Re graphic arts education. I came across what seems to be a good library of education technical report at http://www.igaea.org/
For those concerned about training and the industry it seems like a very useful source.
Beware, it's formal education oriented, so it's not a quick read for non educators.
But really fixing this problem is not about quick reads.
By Michael Josefowicz on Nov 22, 2008
Follow the link on the home page to VC journal
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