It’d be interesting to see some pie charts of the makeup of newspapers before and after rounds of layoffs to see the real patterns, if any. Should be no lack of graphics folks with time on their hands :-|

For what it’s worth, not everything is doom and gloom. We have diversified the Sun-Sentinel graphics department — adding TV news and promotions graphics and three more artists to the mix.

Now print, web and TV have one place to get graphics and it is easier to produce for all platforms.

I’m the first to admit this experiment may not work. We’re walking a fine line and it could backfire. But with any luck, those of us who survive this “kill the art department” nonsense will emerge with new skills and be better equipped to capitalize on the opportunities of a resurgent economy.

We are also facing layoffs and would be surprised to make it through unscathed. But I am fortunate that upper management (Tim Frank and Earl Mauker) see Javier’s point — that the graphics department is positioned to help lead the way now AND the next time the technological ground shifts.

I don’t want to sound like a Pollyanna, especially since several people I really care for have been laid off. I just want to keep a spark of hope alive.

But these days, 10 years in one field is a long time. Time to move on. I am glad that I did not have 30 years into it, and no other options.