What do you do?
I’m a multi-hat-wearing creative. In short, I’m a graphic designer, illustrator, editor, writer, curator, marketer, social networker, web designer, consultant, sales person, bookkeeper and accountant… Welcome to the world of the freelancer!
What kind of equipment do you use?
You don’t need a great deal of equipment to be a creative these days. Although a powerful computer is obviously the best option, most half decent laptops can do the job especially if you have a large monitor to connect to. I also use a Wacom graphics tablet - this is my old mouse <:3)~ - but that’s more of a personal choice. I found that I almost doubled my speed once I got good at using it.
Pretty much every other tool I use comes in the form of software. I use the Adobe Creative Suite for the majority of my work but there are more and more free applications appearing online that help me to maximise productivity, like Skype and Google Docs.
What made you get into freelancing?
My jump into freelancing happened just over a year ago. I had been looking to move from my senior designer role (with a massive retailer) into something more creatively challenging, but before I managed to make the move I was made redundant. At the same time the design job market dried up, so I was forced to re-evaluate where I was going. I’d always wanted to work for myself and luckily (after a lot of hard work) I started to pick up quite a few design and illustration projects for myself whilst looking for something more long term. A couple of months later, I realised that I was already in the job of my dreams, with total creative freedom and complete control over my own career. Redundancy is one of the best things to have happened to me; the push was just what I needed!
What are the pros of freelancing?
There are loads of advantages, but for me the biggest is having the freedom to choose the right projects and clients for you. By doing this early on, you find yourself enjoying every second of your job, despite the common 14 hour days.
What are the cons of freelancing?
Most freelancers will say the same thing: lack of security. It’s reassuring to know where your next pay check is coming from, but if you are a freelancer this is rarely the case. Some months you may be so busy that you are earning three or four times as much as normal. In others, you work solely on self-promotional material that is unlikely to earn you anything in the short term. If you need security, freelancing is probably not the job for you. If, however, happiness and control over your own destiny are more important than cash flow, what are you waiting for?
What does it take to be a freelancer?
Contrary to popular belief, freelancers do not spend most of their time watching Jeremy Kyle. Self-discipline is essential if you are going to make this job work. It’s not easy, especially when your work computer is also your cinema, games console, music studio, TV and radio. There are so many things to distract you and if you are not able to focus you will never get anything done.
Knowing your trade is important but freelancing involves more than that. You will need to be able to take on several different roles, so adaptability is also a good personality trait.
More important than anything else is simply to ‘be nice’. If you’re a nice person and project that to others, clients will generally continue to use you and tell others about you too.
Do you work exclusively as a freelancer or do you have other work?
Freelancing (in terms of working onsite as a temporary employee) only takes up a small part of my time. I generally work from my home office on projects that I have initiated on behalf of clients. I see these projects through from initial pitch to final production, so I’m effectively running an entire design agency from my home.
Are people keen to employ freelancers at the moment?
The trend seems to be that employers are getting more into employing freelancers. I’ve read that this is normally the case during a recession, but (unlike previous downturns) it’s expected that after things settle down these freelancers will continue to operate in this way instead of moving back into fulltime employment. This is partly because of the flexibility from an employer’s point of view (there are no holidays to cover and if there is no work they don’t have to worry about redundancies etc.) but also because technology and communication are now at a point where working from home is as realistic and effective as working in an office.
Are there many more freelancers like you out there?
The short answer is yes. Since starting out for myself, I have found loads of fellow freelancers on social networks like Twitter. These contacts have been very useful and we constantly swap information with each other. It’s also just good to know that others have had the same experiences as you, especially when it gets a bit stressful.
Is freelance the future?
They (whoever they are) say that within the next ten years over 60% of designers will be freelance. Bearing in mind that the creative industry is fast becoming one of our key industries – if it isn’t already – that is a lot of people working independently.
Do you have any advice for people who are thinking about getting into freelancing further down the line?
You will have to work harder than you thought possible if you want to succeed, but it won’t feel like work if you’re doing something you love, for yourself.