Ageism in the Creative Industry: LIVE with Philip VanDusen

BONFIRE: philipvandusen...
Age discrimination and ageism is pervasive in creative industries. Professionals in the prime of their careers are being forced out of positions in creative departments in agencies and corporations at an astounding rate.
If you are a designer or creative pro of any kind, it’s not a question of IF this will happen to you, but WHEN.
Why is this happening? How will it affect your career? What can you do about it? In this live stream we’ll dive into all this and more. Special Bonus: I’ll share the one hack that can help you survive and have a long and profitable career.
#careerdevelopment #graphicdesign #creative #coaching
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Philip VanDusen is a branding consultant and the owner of Verhaal Brand Design, a brand strategy and design agency based in New Jersey. Philip is a highly accomplished creative executive and expert in brand strategy, graphic design, marketing and creative management. He provides design, branding, marketing, career and business advice to creative professionals, entrepreneurs and companies on building successful brands for themselves and the clients and customers they serve.

[@toddshear9068]

I'm 55, work in the creative industry -marketing/PR/Advertising - and have definitely faced ageism within this field. I've been called grandpa, dad or told it must be a 'generational' thing when I have a different opinion or way of doing something. The crazy thing is the younger people I work with come to me when they can't figure something out with their Google Drive or Adobe apps because even at this age I'm still on top of it all! New program or CMS - I've got it figured out and using it before them. I'm sure it wont always be this way because our industry changes at such a fast pace, but right now I feel I'm doing my best work and more creative than ever! AND I stay out of all the drama, don't need an award of recognition for every fart I let and get my work done well and faster than them all! We gotta stop with the age thing because there is so much we can all learn from older generations and their experiences. Stepping down from my soap box now 🤣

[@imagicarolina]

TRUE

[@PhilipVanDusen]

"I don't need an award of recognition for every fart I let" is now my favorite comment I have received *ever*! But Todd, don't rest on your laurels. Build that career insurance policy by starting to build your personal brand and meaningful network - one that can eventually get you work when and if you go solo. Because you are going to need it, no matter how solid things may look right now. All it takes is one company acquisition or reorganization and things can change on a dime. I hope I'm wrong in your case. But better safe than sorry.

[@chocloditelensman]

I got it ! 63 is my age I’m retiring. I’m living frugally and don’t over spend. The worries I have is inflation which has been horrible for the last 4 years.

[@strahilprimedivision8718]

Very helpful video! Thank you!

[@PhilipVanDusen]

Glad it was helpful!

[@paulroos8517]

Excellent video! The fact that many career paths have an expiry date, is not unique to the creative industry. The fact is: if technology impacts your field, then there is an expiry date for your field. To illustrate: a bricklayer builds walls by lying bricks, brick-by-brick, but new machines exist that use the additive manufacturing technique (the popular term for this is "3D printing") to build walls. Soon we'll see driverless taxis. The world is changing and to add to the complexity, young couples are having fewer kids. Your video is relevant and one must learn new skills that are in demand.

[@PhilipVanDusen]

True about learning new skills. But often, late in a career, that isn't always as practical or realistic as it may initially seem - and my video outlines tactics to pivot and to retain career relevance, sustainability (albeit in a more independent form - through consulting/freelancing) and inertia in the field you have spent the majority of your life in, as long as possible.

[@dbencic]

Excellent video! Thank you so much for sharing generosity on this very real topic!

[@PhilipVanDusen]

@dbencic, You're very welcome. Be sure to check out the other videos in my catalog. There's tons of great stuff there!

[@imagicarolina]

Thank you ☺️ 😊😊😊 You and your channel are precious for all of us ❤❤

[@PhilipVanDusen]

😎 Thank you!

[@chocloditelensman]

If somebody has to keep working until they are 70, they aren’t doing it right or they have too much debt or over spend. Dave Ramsey says to retire at 62 - take a hit financially but rebuild it by reinvesting your money a different way. The bottom line: live frugally and enjoy your retirement without corporate crap.

[@PhilipVanDusen]

The reality is according to a survey by LendingClub in mid-2023, about 61% of Americans were living paycheck to paycheck. This statistic includes people across various income levels, not just low-income earners. A Federal Reserve 2022 report found that 25% of Americans had no retirement savings at all. Additionally, a separate study by Vanguard showed that the median 401(k) balance for those close to retirement age (55-64 years old) was only about $89,000, which is generally considered insufficient for a comfortable retirement. So all due respect to Dave Ramsey, but wishing for an alternate demographic reality doesn't make it so. But, what you said in terms of living frugally and investing wisely and most importantly early in life is the best bet.

[@LDMTX6]

I’ve been in the packaging design industry since 1990 and had great success for a long time, but no one will hire me at 54. One rejection after another and LinkedIn has been useless. I no longer see a path forward in this field and have just about given up this week. I think the design industry has been flooded with young talent but it’s no longer lucrative. I was once billing at $175 an hour but can’t even get $30 now. Kids graduating with design degrees are in for a rude awakening when they realize they’re not going to make six figures, but more like $40k if they’re lucky.

[@imagicarolina]

Oush

[@PhilipVanDusen]

Packaging is one of the more forgiving design niches in terms of ageism. But it is not immune to it. I'm sorry that you have been affected by it. It may be time to start working independently as opposed to looking for full-time employment. There is still a LOT of work out there - and companies are outsourcing to independent designers more than ever. Packaging is also a very specialized field - and CPG companies tend to be larger enterprises and can afford experienced talent.

[@LDMTX6]

@@PhilipVanDusen Thank you Philip. That is encouraging but I haven't figured out a way to make inroads into those companies. As I said, LinkedIn seems useless. Maybe I'll reach out to you for some coaching.

[@alexm2143]

I worked in the US out of uni and found the culture there is to churn and burn their employees. Its the opposite in the EU. Companies value experience and wisdom much more. Most all creative managers ive ever worked with here are over 40.

[@JessFO]

Any advice for someone who is 41 and just started to train as a graphic designer? Sounds like my career will be over before I even finish school. 😕

[@rsu1367]

What about racial discrimination? Our country seems to teach that ONLY white people can be racists but I work in a department where almost everyone is of Philippine descent. They only want to work with Filipinos or preferably other types of Asians. I'm constantly overlooked and they give the best positions and jobs almost exclusively to Filipinos. White people in other departments of my company don't seem to understand the Filipino management within the creative department that I work in as ONLY white people in our country are considered to be racists.

[@imagicarolina]

Good point

[@PhilipVanDusen]

Racism is prevalent in many cultures. Whites certainly do not have a monopoly on it. My suggestion to you, is if you really feel that your career is suffering because of it inside the company you currently work for, it may be time to move on. Why suffer.? Life is too short to waste time bearing something you may not have to.

[@imagicarolina]

@@PhilipVanDusen Yes and yes

[@rsu1367]

@@PhilipVanDusen I agree but I'm an older worker. It is hard to find a new job so I agree with your video. My employer prefers people over 40.

[@John-hh8lq]

12:20 This is totally the opposite in Australia... us 'oldies' who have traditional values get the work done regardless and it's the younger ones who want to get out the door 15 minutes earlier, but ageism is still rife and I am in that statistic. White older males are on the bottom rung of the ladder... not that they'd ever admit it.