A freelance graphic designer’s survival guide
Embarking on a freelance graphic design journey? Equip yourself with the right tools and strategies to navigate this exciting yet challenging terrain. Discover how to thrive as a freelance graphic designer, from managing clients to maintaining creativity.
When it comes to your portfolio website, focus on the essentials
You don’t need an entirely bespoke all singing and dancing website to find work for yourself.
- A strong, thoughtfully ordered and presented body of work is much more important
- When applying for jobs, think about where you are positioned in the marketplace
Optimize anything you do repeatedly
Take headphones with you
- Noise-cancelling headphones are an investment
- Less distraction leads to better work
- The better your work is, the more you will get use to the sounds of your environment, so invest in noise cancelling headphones
If you prefer to work from home:
Ask if you can. If they say no, do your first job, make a good impression, and then ask again the next time.
- If you end up working in-house and don’t like someone, don’t let it get to you. You’ll be out of there pretty soon.
Find out what hours you will be expected to work
Your hourly rate probably needs to be higher than you think
- Ditto for your day rate
- Avoid speculative meetings
- Research any potential new employer
- Ask around, maybe someone in your network has worked for these people before
- Trust your gut – sometimes it’s not worth it
When it comes to finding work, controlled jobs boards like OnSite and Design Jobs Board are your best bet
They filter out dodgy applicants and employers
- Recommended reading
- David Airey’s blog about graphic design
- Adrian Shaughnessy’s How to be a Graphic Designer, Without Losing Your Soul
- Posted to freelancing, graphic-design in 2013
Optimize your systems
Logitech MX mouse and mousemat
- OS X users can install an app like Steermouse to program the extra buttons on Logitech mice
- Side buttons set to zoom in/out across all of the Adobe Creative Suite, and use the extra button on the left side to toggle guides
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