I am generally not big on new years resolutions but I have
been really wanting to write an honest post on the things I have learnt
from my design and photography freelancing journey. While I have not had years
and years of experience, the past year in particular has been a year of incredible growth in
more ways than one. So here goes:
Embrace social networking.
So how does one network? Social networking is probably one of the easiest and best ways to network.
I will admit that it's easy for me to say this as I find it pretty easy
to keep up with a lot of social networking sites (because I love
computers and I am a nerd). But this is how you connect with other
creatives and most importantly connect with possible clients.
And
please note that 'embracing social networking' does not mean you just
post an update that you have just blogged.
Social networking is for networking. I think conversion is essential. If someone tweets you (unless it's a
really creepy tweet of course), respond. If someone comments on your
blog, respond. And the same for Facebook and Instagram and whatever else I have missed.
I totally get that it can all get too much, but
believe me, people who follow your work will love you for it plus it's
just plain nice to acknowledge people when you can.
All right stop. Collaborate and listen.
(Yeah I just quoted a vanilla ice song... oh dear)
Networking leads to this, being another important reason to network.
I have worked on two main collaborations this past year. Many of you know that I am part of a collaboration project called
Tea and Toast + I also
designed a portfolio grad book for a friend who is an exceptionally
talented fashion graduate.
Not only has both of these
collaborations taught me a lot - from everything from how to design and
supply a 90 page book to a printer, to creating custom email addresses -
it has also been oh so wonderful connecting with lovely people - making
new friends within the creative industry that I might not have had
contact with otherwise. It is also good to have that pressure - the
pressure and push to commit regularly to a project that is not just my
own.
Honestly I could go on about the positives of collaborating, but I
will leave it at that for now.
Please and thank you.
Again,
this follows on from responding to responses. Try to always say thank
you. I was taught from a very young age to always say thank you for
gifts that I had received for my birthday or Christmas. Encouraging
comments are a gift.
PS. I couldn't work out an image to represent 'thank you'... so the words will have to suffice.
Don't get too precious about your ideas.
It's all been done before.
Unless
someone is copying your exact design or photograph or whatever, don't
get too narky if you think someone is copying you. It's not attractive.
Don't compare and don't get jealous. Get happy instead.
This is a big one.
We
are all different. Try not to compare and try not to get jealous.
Be
happy for those around you who are doing well and encourage them.
You must have a healthy confidence and believe in your abilities.
The
amount of times I have not posted on my blog because I am not confident
in what I am posting is... well crazy. As you may have noticed I am a
not so regular blogger as of late. The reasons being a mixture between
not having the time but also because I am doubtful of my talent and too
much of a crazed perfectionist. So I guess the question is, how does one
have a healthy confident mindset to their work? Yeeah good question.
for me I'm not completely there yet. Sorry, that's probably not what you
wanted to hear. But here's a few things that help:
- Surround yourself with people who encourage you
- Don't be a Mr Negative Norm or a Miss Negative Nancy
- Again, don't go comparing yourself to others
And don't forget the humble pie. For many obvious reasons. Humble people are nice people.
Confidence and humbleness work really well together.
Be polite.
In emails, in person. To others in the industry, others that are not in the industry, to potential clients, to clients, to family, to friends and to your dog.
Get a deposit before any work begins.
I have not done this a lot and it's a big regret of mine. I have found that with no deposit the design
process can be slow - like super slow. There is also the risk of not getting paid at all.
Asking for a deposit up front also says you are serious.
Do not work for free.
Ever.
Okay you can work for free and I have done it in right and not so right situations.
Scenario:
your Aunty is very involved in a Ugandan community and is needing a
logo for a non for profit trust. Of course you do this for free and with
a happy heart.
But if the free freelancing is for a 'for profit'
business, basically you should run and run fast. Okay a simple 'sorry no
can do' is adequate. I don't think I really need to go into this any
further. You need to eat and a roof overhead is preferable.
And while we are talking about money, if you think you are charging too much, you
probably aren't charging enough. This has been the case for me without a
doubt.
Get back to the basics.
This sounds like a title of some lame 90's pop song... but anyway.
Get off the computer, put aside the wacom.
I am thankful for many things from studying this past year. One being
introduced back to the originals: pens, ink, paint brushes,
watercolours, paper, thread, tissue paper. I can't encourage this
enough. It has changed me and if you are one to stick to the computer
religiously (this was me before 2012 and I was freaking scared when I
adventured back into the world of the 'handmade'. No gentle soothing hum
of the iMac, no reassuring clicks of the mighty mouse and no command z)
but it worked out and I am constantly trying to challenge myself to work with many different materials.
I would highly recommend getting back to the basics.
Keep organised.
Keep
your desk clean.
Keep your folders clean.
Keep your document names
clean.
Basically keep organised - you should know where your files are
located on your computer.
Back-up your work. A lot.
This
is a no brainer for the freelancer, for the student... for everyone
really. Even those not so great but ever so special snap and shoot
photos - back them up!
Look for inspiration but don't spend hours 'looking' for it.
Buy
design/photography books, can't afford them? Borrow them over and over again. I
have a happy little library of beautiful books, but I borrowed and re
borrowed (like ten times - no joke) books from the Swinburne library in the last year.
Pinterest + (I have to say I love Pinterest a lot. It's great for a lot of reasons, but don't rely on it alone), blogs, websites, magazines and just life is where I have found a lot of inspiration this past year - streets, different suburbs, food, design conferences (
agideas + and
Semi-Permanent + are awesome) and travel.
Travel when possible.
Travel is another great source of inspiration.
And it's just the best.
I have learnt a lot from traveling, especially on my own, which I would do again in a heartbeat.
Work out your style and go with it.
How
easy is that to say hey? The journey to find ones style can be long, it
can be confusing, it can be frustrating and just blah. It can also be
exciting.
And don't go changing your name and logo a million times (I have done this... well three times and it's not great, try to avoid it).
Fear: is it an anchor?
Fear can be good. It can motivate and challenge us.
It can also hold us back. Hold us down.
As many of you know I have been doing a lot of shooting in the last year.
To be honest, photographing people scares me. Telling people how to pose, making sure I have all the manual settings on correctly, working out where the best light is, being responsible for photographing someones wedding (talk about pressure!), 'how on earth does this flash work?' and so on. I am also an introvert for the most part, so it has been a challenge to say the least. I love people but I also love being in my own safe space. Crowds can overwhelm me and a wedding party is one massive emotional loud chatty crowd. Anyway, the photography gigs have been a massive learning curve but one i would not take back, despite the awkward, fearful, 'brain can't think of any words to say, then stutters something incomprehensible' moments.
Thankfully I am a lot more relaxed about photographing now (still a heap of learning to do but I look back at the past year and am amazed at what I have learnt), which is a wonderful place to be in.
Also meaning I need to be open to new challenges.
Use fear to succeed not to hold you down.
Nothing worth it is easy.
So if you have reached the end, whoa - thank you.
I would love to hear any other tips that you might have.
