5 answers
vivian
Student
Sun City Center, Florida
1
Question
Asked
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What are some freelancing requirements or tips ?
What does it take to be a freelance artist/graphic designer? Does it require anything or do you just start? Is there also any strategy to marketing to an audience?
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5 answers
Stephen Tiano
Freelance Book Designer/Layout Artist
3
Answers
Riverhead, New York
Updated
Stephen’s Answer
Well, obviously, you need to know the tools, the computer software to do graphic design work. This starts, I suppose, with Adobe's Creative Studio: InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, and Acrobat Pro. Those are for print. If you want to do motion work, there are other things in the suite and on Adobe's roster. This can be pricey, tho' there is student pricing. There are also alternatives, like the Affinity suite that you can purchase outright, unlike Adobe's which must be subscribed to in perpetuity. There are also open-source (read: free) applications, like Scribus and GIMP. But Adobe's software are still the standard at the moment, and most studios will expect you to be proficient in theirs.
You can certainly learn software on your own without formal classroom training. But you need to apply yourself to learn all the tools, even some that may seem obscure, because you don't want to waste production time learning a tool with a deadline looming. Or, worse, on a job interview, you don't want to come up blank when auditioning. But then there's the trickier part of becoming educated for graphic design work: developing a sense of design aesthetics. For book design there's simply nothing like poring over books of all kind to see how they're done--and reading them, too, to get a sense of what subjects for what audiences best use which types at what sizes, and what trim sizes, etc. Similarly, other kinds of graphic design work require looking at different kinds of creative work. Sometimes--especially after I've had a little lull in work--before I start work on a new book project, I'll take a trip out to the Parrish Art Museum just to get inspired and feeling like creating. I wish I didn't live so far out on Long Island, because my favorite museum of all time, MOMA in NYC, is where I'd really get a jump start. But I just don't enjoy that trip in anymore.
Those are my thoughts on doing the work. Finding the work is another issue. It's certainly a basic step 1 to have a website that both displays samples of your work--I invented my very first samples, as I'd had no clients at that point--and where you can express and explain how ou approach graphic design work and what kind of work you're passionate about. I used a blog to that effect for a few years.
Finally, although the temptation might be strong, I highly recommend avoiding job sites like Reedsy and Upwork and the like, where your plan to get work realistically has to include doing the reverse leap frog and joining with other people there to see who's willing to work at the cheapest rates. It may seem like that's the fastest way to get some work experience, but the problem is that you kind of cannibalize your whole future that way, as you suggest that our work isn't worth much AND you contribute to the expectation of buyers of graphic design work that pennies-on-the-dollar rates are the expectation of graphic designers.
Good luck going forward!
You can certainly learn software on your own without formal classroom training. But you need to apply yourself to learn all the tools, even some that may seem obscure, because you don't want to waste production time learning a tool with a deadline looming. Or, worse, on a job interview, you don't want to come up blank when auditioning. But then there's the trickier part of becoming educated for graphic design work: developing a sense of design aesthetics. For book design there's simply nothing like poring over books of all kind to see how they're done--and reading them, too, to get a sense of what subjects for what audiences best use which types at what sizes, and what trim sizes, etc. Similarly, other kinds of graphic design work require looking at different kinds of creative work. Sometimes--especially after I've had a little lull in work--before I start work on a new book project, I'll take a trip out to the Parrish Art Museum just to get inspired and feeling like creating. I wish I didn't live so far out on Long Island, because my favorite museum of all time, MOMA in NYC, is where I'd really get a jump start. But I just don't enjoy that trip in anymore.
Those are my thoughts on doing the work. Finding the work is another issue. It's certainly a basic step 1 to have a website that both displays samples of your work--I invented my very first samples, as I'd had no clients at that point--and where you can express and explain how ou approach graphic design work and what kind of work you're passionate about. I used a blog to that effect for a few years.
Finally, although the temptation might be strong, I highly recommend avoiding job sites like Reedsy and Upwork and the like, where your plan to get work realistically has to include doing the reverse leap frog and joining with other people there to see who's willing to work at the cheapest rates. It may seem like that's the fastest way to get some work experience, but the problem is that you kind of cannibalize your whole future that way, as you suggest that our work isn't worth much AND you contribute to the expectation of buyers of graphic design work that pennies-on-the-dollar rates are the expectation of graphic designers.
Good luck going forward!
Kateryna Galunga
Illustrator and Graphic Designer
2
Answers
Kryvyi Rih, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, Ukraine
Updated
Kateryna’s Answer
Hi Vivian, You should understand that there are different skill levels and different paycheck ranges when you work as a freelancer. You can start right now and that's the best thing you can do. Start with something simple and grow with client orders. For example, you might make a great social media design for someone you know personally and ask them to share it. It will be a low pressure and you'll have a real case to add to your portfolio. Step by step, you get better at what you do, you increase your paycheck, and one day you feel confident and have really big companies for clients.
To be a good freelancer, you need a high level of self-discipline, portfolio with only the best works and those works that you really want to do in the future. Your soft skills must be at a good level to make it pleasant to work with you. It's better if you constantly promote yourself on social media because people need to know about you and know where to find you to contact for cooperation.
To be a good freelancer, you need a high level of self-discipline, portfolio with only the best works and those works that you really want to do in the future. Your soft skills must be at a good level to make it pleasant to work with you. It's better if you constantly promote yourself on social media because people need to know about you and know where to find you to contact for cooperation.
Christina Bernard
Data Scientist
17
Answers
Richardson, Texas
Updated
Christina’s Answer
Hi Vivian,
I'd like to add that you need to consider your business model and customer persona. The YouTube channel 'thefutur' has tons of advice on building a creative agency.
Second, people are shifting into the field of the productized service. Essentially, instead of paying per project, you pay a monthly retainer and can request unlimited designs. Please review the site 'designjoy.com' for a look at this type of business. The owner learned one skill really well and uses it across multiple different product offerings. The Youtube channel ' Starter Story' will have similar case studies.
I'd like to add that you need to consider your business model and customer persona. The YouTube channel 'thefutur' has tons of advice on building a creative agency.
Second, people are shifting into the field of the productized service. Essentially, instead of paying per project, you pay a monthly retainer and can request unlimited designs. Please review the site 'designjoy.com' for a look at this type of business. The owner learned one skill really well and uses it across multiple different product offerings. The Youtube channel ' Starter Story' will have similar case studies.
jeffery moser
1
Answer
Updated
jeffery’s Answer
Basically just make a name for yourself! If you have a portfolio, show it off to any recruiters that are looking for Designers for specific things. Look out on job apps, design a profile and show why you stand out above the rest.
Aaron Austen
Freelance Illustrator
1
Answer
Ossining, New York
Updated
Aaron’s Answer
To briefly answer your question, a strong portfolio focused on a niche is usually required to get consistent work as a freelancer. However, working to become a freelance artist is a broad topic without more context as to what your goals are. Some jobs may require degrees, but in most cases, your portfolio is your strongest asset.
It's important to take some time and think about what kind of art you would like to create. If you're starting out without any professional experience, you need to make it very clear to a potential client what you do, and what you can do well. For example, it would be hard to find work as a character designer for a game studio if your portfolio only consists of paintings of landscapes without any people in them.
I think it would be helpful to look at some artists you look up to and condense what you like about their work in clear terms. Do they mostly draw characters, environments, or objects? Have they worked for a client that you'd like to work for someday? Questions like these can help you use your time well in developing a niche to get good at.
While I don't have as much experience in graphic design, I would believe the same idea applies to clearly communicating to clients and employers what you bring to the table.
Now with this said, it doesn't mean you only allowed to ever get good at one thing and stick to that forever. Experimenting with different subjects or styles helps you figure out what you like/dislike, and grow as an artist. This advice applies more so if you are early in your career. Once you have some work, then I would say its safer to branch out.
In illustration, typically a portfolio consisting of 10-15 of your strongest pieces is recommended. However, quality is more desired than quantity. Sometimes a single piece that is really good can land you a job.
Social media is useful for freelance as well but like in most fields, connections are key. Leaving nice comments on other artists posts, sharing their work, interacting with those who admire your work, are all great ways to begin to form more of a community around your work. However, social media is also a bit tricky as to figuring out how to get your work exposed to a wide audience. Don't get discouraged if you don't get as many likes on a post as you may have wanted. Its more important to focus on what you can control, which is the quality of your work, and how you interact with social media.
Attending illustration expo's or other events where you can interact with artists in person is the most ideal in my opinion, but I understand that isn't always feasible.
In short, building upon your skills and developing a foundation will make figuring out what kind of niche you want to get into easier. Creating a solid portfolio takes time, but a good way to accomplish this is to get in the habit of following a schedule. How many hours a week you dedicate to art is up to you but staying consistent through small, achievable goals leading towards larger ones (like a particular job or project you had in mind) can help you stay on task.
It's important to take some time and think about what kind of art you would like to create. If you're starting out without any professional experience, you need to make it very clear to a potential client what you do, and what you can do well. For example, it would be hard to find work as a character designer for a game studio if your portfolio only consists of paintings of landscapes without any people in them.
I think it would be helpful to look at some artists you look up to and condense what you like about their work in clear terms. Do they mostly draw characters, environments, or objects? Have they worked for a client that you'd like to work for someday? Questions like these can help you use your time well in developing a niche to get good at.
While I don't have as much experience in graphic design, I would believe the same idea applies to clearly communicating to clients and employers what you bring to the table.
Now with this said, it doesn't mean you only allowed to ever get good at one thing and stick to that forever. Experimenting with different subjects or styles helps you figure out what you like/dislike, and grow as an artist. This advice applies more so if you are early in your career. Once you have some work, then I would say its safer to branch out.
In illustration, typically a portfolio consisting of 10-15 of your strongest pieces is recommended. However, quality is more desired than quantity. Sometimes a single piece that is really good can land you a job.
Social media is useful for freelance as well but like in most fields, connections are key. Leaving nice comments on other artists posts, sharing their work, interacting with those who admire your work, are all great ways to begin to form more of a community around your work. However, social media is also a bit tricky as to figuring out how to get your work exposed to a wide audience. Don't get discouraged if you don't get as many likes on a post as you may have wanted. Its more important to focus on what you can control, which is the quality of your work, and how you interact with social media.
Attending illustration expo's or other events where you can interact with artists in person is the most ideal in my opinion, but I understand that isn't always feasible.
In short, building upon your skills and developing a foundation will make figuring out what kind of niche you want to get into easier. Creating a solid portfolio takes time, but a good way to accomplish this is to get in the habit of following a schedule. How many hours a week you dedicate to art is up to you but staying consistent through small, achievable goals leading towards larger ones (like a particular job or project you had in mind) can help you stay on task.