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Contract Worker - Freelancing Experiences

What New Freelance Designers Should Know

by Rico on May 30th, 2008

Whether you’re new to the freelancing game or just starting out with design, the Graphic Design Blog has got a great round-up for your review. Check out Advice for New Freelance Designers. Here are some of my favorites:

Don’t under value yourself. Many starting designers do this and in the end, do it quite rough!
Jacob Cass

Don’t be afraid to make the jump but be sure you’re committed to the idea and to putting in the hours. If I didn’t work the extremly long hours sometimes, I don’t know where I’d be. Every hour you put in is worth it though in the end. You wake up when you want, be your own boss, and get to be constantly creative. I don’t know of a better position to be in, really. Also remember, there is always places to find work. When I was desperate (many times) I would even google search “logo needed” followed by the recent date and hope to find a forum where someone needed work. You have to be resourceful.
Michael McAlister

Make sure you have an online portfolio/design website before you go freelance and if possible start sending out letters/emails introducing yourself and before you leave your day job. Ideally have a few months wages in the bank. I regret having not gone freelance earlier, the more you start earning in a fulltime job the scarier it is to leave.
Tara - Graphic Design Blog

POSTED IN: Great Advice

1 opinion for What New Freelance Designers Should Know

  • Eric Eggertson
    May 30, 2008 at 12:11 pm

    I’ve seen too many designers scrap an existing look for a new one, not because the client had business needs that required a change, but because they wanted to put their own stamp on things.

    As a freelancer, you should realistically gauge what’s needed before overdoing it with an unasked-for visual make-over.

    That’s not to say you should never throw some new ideas at a client, but not every design job requires a complete change. You shouldn’t be afraid to work within an existing visual identity, and leave ego behind.

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