Pros
I have been an employee at tj's for a really long time, and even years in I still really don't mind coming to work, and sometimes I am even downright excited about it. Around 100 people work in my store and around 90 of them are awesome human beings from a wide variety of walks of life. I think I would have pursued greener pastures (higher pay, more fulfilling tasks, maybe even freelance design work full time) long ago but -- and this is the case with a lot of tj's employees-- the pay, benefits and overall work atmosphere keep some really amazing people with a lot of potential in hawaiian shirts. The pay is great if you have been with the company for years even if you haven't changed positions. My hourly pay is now more than twice what it was when I started five years ago, and I technically have the exact same responsibilities. Regular crew are given between $1.20-1.50 per year as long as you are competent. My first year I was given around $3 in raises to "bring me up to the level I was performing at". Artistically speaking, you are sometimes asked to work against what you know to be good design sense, and that's a little sad. That said, you're going to do that in any visual advertising field. I can't speak for all stores by my boss is awesome. He respects my ideas and trusts our team, and that has been really great. If you're good at hand lettering and have a great design sense then your gut is right, this is probably the job for you. Doing this four days a week for years has made me (by sheer practice alone) into a great artist-- I have a grasp on color and composition that I never thought was possible. It can be a really challenging job if you make it one, but no one is going to push you but yourself. Other perks: The benefits are better than your friends with "real" jobs. $50 a month buys you medical, dental and vision. Getting sick usually means a $20 copay and a $15 script. Teeth cleanings and new eye glasses are 100% covered. The retirement has changed a little in recent years for some, but if you're over 30 years old they calculate 15% of what you made in any given year and set it aside for you on top of your full salary. No employee contribution necessary unless you want to. Paid time off is earned based on the hours you work and the time you have been with the company. I earn around 2-3 weeks year. You get to leave your work at work.
Cons
A lot of decisions come down that seem reactive rather than proactive. Communication can be spotty everywhere along the chain, there is a particularly large disconnect between the store manager and the regional manager. The company is having a identity crisis, and visually kind of feels like a yard sale. There's victorian clip art, tiki huts, rowing shirts with oars on them, and a neighborhood vibe all coalescing. Its weird and makes the art weird too.