Genuine question: Could I get a job where I primarily design lasercutting vectors? A good job, decent pay, stable, maybe remote, all that.
I'm *wicked* good at it with almost a decade experience. I just hadn't considered it as a primary vocation somehow. Probably because I don't have and didn't intentionally pursue a graphic design degree.
More context is I'm a hardware hacker and electronics PM.
How and where do I even look for this kinda gig?
@LaserMistress I think it’s possible! I know of a few fabrication places that do design work, but haven’t used them myself. You might need to have other CAD skills or be independent…
@scetron have any names for those "places"?
@LaserMistress They’re a little specific to my zone, but NYC makerspace has design services, and the other was Canal Plastic center (also in NYC). On the entrepreneur side, I know a couple of folks who do laser and CNC as their main business.
@LaserMistress Also, small scale rapid prototyping places might be a good place to check out, like shapeways.com.
@scetron interesting. I know canal and shapeways well. Didn't think they hired for just design. I'll check it out.
@LaserMistress I worked for a manufacturer of laser cutting machines. They sold to sheet metal factories among others. Maybe have a look if you have something like that in your area.
@LaserMistress I used to do work with in-store display and trade show booth makers, tons of that kind of work going on there. Also LEDs, which is what I was primarily involved in. They do lots of work fast, because the clients save the actual fab for last and expect turnarounds in 24 hours.
@josh any business/job names or were you freelancing?
@LaserMistress I was subcontracting through an LED assembler, weird arrangement that I wouldn't recommend. I might have some contacts at a place in NC but it was at least 5 years ago. Food for thought though, it's sort of an invisible industry and I see similar companies all over the place.
@woody custom engraving of kitchen supplies is something I've absolutely noticed as well. Cheers.