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hedog · 05-22-2008, 07:48 PM

I've looked all over the web to try to find any type of an answer to this questionable position change that I'm going through and I can't find anything. Hopefully you guys can give me some advice on what I should do.

To start with, I've been with this company for 17 years this year. My current position (Advertising Design Assistant) is essentially overseeing designers and being a liasion between sales rep's and these designers, delegating workloads based on individual designer's qualifications, and also working on ads in between (more of a management position). Seven months ago the higher ups wanted me to start designing all special sections (covers, designing editorial pages, selecting what images are going into publications, flyers and such). We do around 50 sections a year.

Three months ago, they wanted me to take over a monthly publication (while still doing the special sections) where I essentially have complete freedom, which is great! I'm now directing photo shoots with photographers, taking my own photos, working closely with the editor on future columns & planning shoots for these articles. I'm also going to be backing up an Art Director of another publication when she's gone and she'll be backing me up as well. Everyone's feeding my ego and saying how great everything is improving.

My doing these special sections has taken me away from my initial duties, and now they are changing my title to "Special Section Graphic Designer", and also moving me closer to the editor of the monthly magazine that I just started working on. She's also the Special Sections Editor.

I now have probably 3x the workload and responsibility, and I am being told that this is a lateral move with potential to "grow". First off, since I've been there for 17 years I don't know what can possibly grow. Second, if I'm backing up an Art director, and she's backing me up, wouldn't that essentially put me in a position to be an Art director? I'm not designing all of the ads for this new publication (yet), but by next year they want to double the size of it. I don't have any type of a job description yet either.

I've ran into similar situations like this because they wouldn't put Manager at the end of my previous title because they would then have to pay me more. Now I'm a Graphic Designer, that to the best of my knowledge is doing Art Director duties.

The title I'm not as concerned with even though I'd think it would look better on a résumé but what about the pay? What should I do? Right now I'm making below $20/hour and the Art Director is salaried.

05-22-2008, 07:48 PM	#1
hedog Intern Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 1	Advice on position change I've looked all over the web to try to find any type of an answer to this questionable position change that I'm going through and I can't find anything. Hopefully you guys can give me some advice on what I should do. To start with, I've been with this company for 17 years this year. My current position (Advertising Design Assistant) is essentially overseeing designers and being a liasion between sales rep's and these designers, delegating workloads based on individual designer's qualifications, and also working on ads in between (more of a management position). Seven months ago the higher ups wanted me to start designing all special sections (covers, designing editorial pages, selecting what images are going into publications, flyers and such). We do around 50 sections a year. Three months ago, they wanted me to take over a monthly publication (while still doing the special sections) where I essentially have complete freedom, which is great! I'm now directing photo shoots with photographers, taking my own photos, working closely with the editor on future columns & planning shoots for these articles. I'm also going to be backing up an Art Director of another publication when she's gone and she'll be backing me up as well. Everyone's feeding my ego and saying how great everything is improving. My doing these special sections has taken me away from my initial duties, and now they are changing my title to "Special Section Graphic Designer", and also moving me closer to the editor of the monthly magazine that I just started working on. She's also the Special Sections Editor. I now have probably 3x the workload and responsibility, and I am being told that this is a lateral move with potential to "grow". First off, since I've been there for 17 years I don't know what can possibly grow. Second, if I'm backing up an Art director, and she's backing me up, wouldn't that essentially put me in a position to be an Art director? I'm not designing all of the ads for this new publication (yet), but by next year they want to double the size of it. I don't have any type of a job description yet either. I've ran into similar situations like this because they wouldn't put Manager at the end of my previous title because they would then have to pay me more. Now I'm a Graphic Designer, that to the best of my knowledge is doing Art Director duties. The title I'm not as concerned with even though I'd think it would look better on a résumé but what about the pay? What should I do? Right now I'm making below $20/hour and the Art Director is salaried.