As many of you are aware, a few months back I decided it was time to pursue a job outside of my own freelance work. Income just wasn’t coming in, and I felt that there was a lot more that I could learn by joining up with a company.

Well, it took me three months and a lot of foot work, but I am happy to announce that I finally secured a job, and a pretty good one at that!

I will be taking a Web Designer position at Cross Town Traders Inc., a very large retailer of women’s apparel. They are completely reworking their e-commerce devision, and about a year ago they brought in Eric King to head up the overhaul. Eric King was the Head of E-Commerce for Buy.com, so basically he really knows what he’s talking about.

On top of that, their head Web Designer, Chris LaClair is a very talented individual and I am bound to learn loads from him.

I am very excited about this position, as there is a lot of opportunity for growth and recognition in the industry. Eric plans to make the next generation clothing retail site, and when we succeed, it will be no small thing.

Also, I am coming in on the ground floor, and we are going to be at least tripling our staff over the next year. This means that if I prove my self, then I could be promoted into a managing position sooner than is the norm. Like I said, this is a really, really great opportunity for me.

Yes it has, I am afraid. Mostly by circumstances, but also by my own free will. I will be pursuing a job else where. With several canceled jobs and several which I cannot seem to get in contact with, I have decided to put a hold on Thought Design for a bit, and get a real job with real hours and real income, the last of which being my favorite. There are several companies in Tucson looking for web designers/developers and so I will be sending them my resume and several letters of recommendation that past clients and instructors have been kind enough to write for me. Even though I don’t have a degree, I am hoping that my experience will be sufficient to land me a decent job. Most of the job listings never even mention a degree actually, so I am not too worried.

Some of you (who ever it is that actually reads this thing) might be concerned for me, but I assure you, this is actually something that I am really looking forward to. It is very stressful not knowing when or where your next paycheck will come from, and I am tired of trying to budget on a $1,000 a month, it is pretty much impossible actually. So, I am really looking forward to this now. It is easier working for someone else, and I think the fact that I have worked for myself for the better part of two years will make me appreciate it even more.

So, what is to become of Thought Design? Well that all depends on the sort of job that I manage to acquire. There are several companies in town who are not design firms, but are simply looking for a web guy to manage their own web needs. If I can get into one of these positions, then in all likelihood I would still do work on the side through my company and see how it develops. I feel this would be alright as it is not a conflict of interest and it would be on my own time. Of course, I would check with my employer beforehand. This would be ideal.

If I end up with a job at another design firm, then Thought Design will go into hibernation, waiting for the right time (if ever), to reappear on the scene. I think it would be good for me to work at another design company to see how they run things, and then bring that experience to Thought Design in the years to come. We shall see though.

All in all, either way has its perks and I would be happy in both positions, though I think I would still like to be able to do freelance work on the side, just to pad the income a bit. Prayers would be greatly appreciated. As they say, God never closes a door without opening at least a window of opportunity.

Matt

So I finally got around to organizing my works space. Actually I was kind of forced to do to the face that I got that wacom tablet down in the bottom right corner. It is an amazing tool, but definitely a space taker. I really do like using it though. Been playing with it in illustrator. I will have to post some stuff when I actually get anything done. Anyway this is the work space.

In other news I installed surround sound speakers in my living room. I am pretty pumped about them. I finally have a decent sound system to go with my 30″ HD television. Still, I’m not going to be getting HD service anytime soon. I already spend to much money as it is.

Also, it snowed while I was in Bisbee over the holidays. One of the few highlights of the season I am afraid. I have posted a new album in the gallery with photos of the snow. Enjoy!