Why I Almost Quit Design

Hello, designers! When I graduated, I was full of hope. Like many, I had spent years studying graphic design and couldn’t wait to do the work I loved in the real world.

My first few jobs gave me a glimpse of what the design industry could be: structured, collaborative, and even creatively exciting. But once I started freelancing back home in Indonesia, reality hit hard. The industry was far more chaotic and exploitative than I ever imagined.

And it nearly broke me.

Freelance Work in Practice: The “Babu” Reality

Freelancing here isn’t for the faint-hearted. The idea of “being your boss” quickly fades when clients undervalue your work and expect miracles on a shoestring budget.

In Indonesian slang, “babu” refers to someone overworked and underpaid. It’s also sometimes equated with maids or servants.

That’s exactly how I felt.

Once, I developed a complete brand identity for a new business. After countless revisions and sleepless nights, the client offered a fee that barely covered my basic expenses. When I tried to negotiate, they said:

“Other designers would do it for less.”

It wasn’t an isolated incident, and the world kept spinning.

Another client from a well-known local brand cut my payment by 30% after I delivered the project, citing that I “took too long.” This is despite my advising on and agreeing on the timeline in advance.

The Pipe(line)Dream

Freelancing here means doing it all: designing, project managing, handling finances, and chasing down new clients. But that doesn’t mean clients treat you like a professional.

Many expect you to be on call 24/7, no matter the schedule.

I once delivered a finalized project with a set number of revisions, only for the client to return weeks later asking for more changes, for free. “Just minor tweaks,” they said. “No big deal.”

Another startup I worked with constantly shifted direction. “This is what we want! No, wait, change it! That’s not it.” I spent more time chasing clarity than designing. The scope was a moving target, and in the end, my time was completely wasted.

Burnout Glorification

The glorification of overworking is THE most toxic aspect of the design industry in Indonesia. You’re not “dedicated” enough if you’re not pulling all-nighters.

I once took on a branding revamp for a reputable agency that wanted everything delivered in under a week. I pulled three consecutive all-nighters with barely any sleep. When it was done, there was no appreciation.

The burnout hit me hard.

During my internship at a top bank, I saw the same patterns: designers working late into the night without extra pay, running on unrealistic deadlines from higher-ups. The difference was stark compared to my overseas experience, where work-life balance was respected and overtime was rare.

Paying to Work

Another harsh reality? Freelancers here are often expected to cover project expenses themselves.

From printing costs to software licenses, clients frequently assume you’ll front the money and never reimburse you. I once handled a high-quality print order for a restaurant client who insisted I take care of it. I paid upfront. They ghosted me the moment the menus were delivered.

Another small business did the same thing, promised to reimburse, then conveniently “forgot.” Those mistakes cost me money I never recovered.

Lesson learned.

My Breaking Point (and What Came After)

If freelancing has challenges, working with agencies in Indonesia is not always better. Poor management, unrealistic expectations, and disrespect towards creative professionals — the nightmare package! This brings us to the crux of the problem:

The top-down structure often leaves designers on the lowest rung, without a chance to speak their minds or let their creativity shine.

I worked for a well-known agency notorious for churning out work at an extreme pace. The pressure to continuously produce without appreciating the work made it a toxic environment. Designers were treated as cogs in a machine that could be replaced at any time, with the high staff turnover rate indicating how unviable these working conditions were.

A friend used to work for one of the top agencies in Jakarta, and she would rant to me about how badly it was managed. This agency was notorious for taking on many more projects than it could handle, leading to a constant time crunch and staff coming and going like a revolving door.

Eventually, the environment became toxic. She quit altogether and took a completely different career route.

Turning Point: Choosing Value

After years of this, I hit my breaking point.

The low-balling, the disrespect, the exploitation, it all wore me down. I seriously considered quitting design and walking away for good.

But something held me back. I realized it wasn’t the design that I hated. I still loved creating. What I couldn’t accept was how the industry operated, especially here!

So here was the ultimate decision: I would stay, but only if I could do it on my terms.

How to Choose Value

These experiences lit a fire in me. They made me want to speak up and advocate for change in Indonesia’s design industry. We need better practices! Better practices mean:

1. Fair pay
2. Realistic deadlines
3. Respect for creative labor
4. Boundaries that protect our time and mental health

It also means learning to say no. Say no to underpriced gigs. Say no to clients who demand the world but offer scraps in return. Say no to environments that grind you down.

Most importantly, it means standing up for yourself and your worth.

That also means confidently saying “NO” to lower-priced bids and knowing when to walk away from toxic clients or employers.

Why I Stayed (And Why It Matters)

I almost left design. Instead, I stayed and chose to fight for a better way to work. I became more selective with clients. I set boundaries. I refused to compromise on what I deserved.

It wasn’t easy. But it was worth it.

To every designer reading this: Whether you’re just starting or deep in the trenches, you’re not alone. Yes, the challenges are real. But so is our power to create change.

I’d love to hear your story if you’ve experienced something similar or have ideas for improving our working conditions. Let’s keep the conversation going.