Reasons why you shouldn’t join the creative industry in Ethiopia

Hey there, fellow creatives! We understand the importance of making informed career choices in the dynamic world of creativity. If you’re considering joining the creative industry in Ethiopia, we want to provide you with an honest look at the opportunities and challenges you might encounter. Let’s dive in!

People will sell their body and soul to land clients:

Closing a deal with clients at times will require more than delivering a pitch. At times and a norm, agencies might use ‘unethical’: bribery, sex and theft to land or poach clients. And some event advocate employees to use underhanded tactics to do so.

The Sweatshop Labor

Quoted from the Pharaohs, “Where there is a whip, there is away.” The design practice involves exploiting workers, often in poor or toxic conditions, for low wages and long hours. Clients won’t bat an eye so long us the work is delivered on time and within budget. This results in one of the lowest employee retention rates compared to other industries.

The work is not always original

Marketers and designers are expected to produce creative and innovative solutions for their clients. However, creativity and innovation are not always easy or possible. Sometimes, they have to use templates, stock images, or generic designs to save time, money, or effort. Sometimes, they have to recycle, repurpose, or remix old or existing work to create new or different work.

They rather go blind than collaborate

Design is all about collaboration. Whether it’s in terms of resources, time or ideas: shared efforts will create an impact. But, here in Ethiopia hell might freeze over before creatives and agencies collaborate. They fear losing their competitive edge or reputation by working with others.

What is a “dirty little secret” about an industry that you have worked in, that people outside the industry really should know? Share your idea in the comments.