Succeeding As A Freelance Designer
simple tips in succeeding as a freelance designer
After completing design school and checking the last box on those different design courses, establishing yourself as a freelance designer is one of the next steps most opt-out for. The freedom from demanding bosses, ridiculous deadlines, and a possibly toxic environment sounds like the perfect lifestyle anyone would love to have. However, unlike the corporate nine-to-five system, freelancing is quite different and to an extent more tasking. The road to success is often narrow and involves a stringent process of hard and tireless work. To aid you to navigate the freelancing world, here are some tips you need to consider that will aid your success.
#1 Establish A Niche
Design is a broad business. The technicalities involved in web design is different from product design, which to a large extent is also different from graphic design. To survive and start a career as a freelance designer in a tech-centered world, establishing your niche and your range of services is important. This helps you position your skill as a business with a focus.
#2 Develop Your Portfolio
Upon the establishment of your niche, preparing your portfolio to highlight previously done work and personal projects that showcase your skill is next. Design a portfolio that speaks to potential clients on the kind of work you create. Every aspect of your style must be incorporated into your portfolio as it is the representation of your brand.
#3 Treat Your Design Like You Will A Business
As a designer, it is understandable that art is an important part of your work but if you want to succeed as a freelancer treating your design as a business is important. Get familiar with the market value of your current skill to draw up a pricing and timing system. Take projects that will bring in profit and add value to your portfolio. Build presentation skills and learn how to pitch your ideas to prospective clients. This will be useful during meetings with prospective clients. Ensure to partner with clients with the utmost professionalism, mastering the art of negotiation.
Photo by Tyler Franta on Unsplash
#4 Develop Project Management Skills
If you do not know how to manage a project, you will ail as a freelance designer. Any freelancer understands that he/she is both the lead and the staff; hence, developing project management skills is important. You must know how to manage your schedule effectively and create strict timelines for your work. Your reputation is important in freelancing and being good at project management will enhance your work ethic and translate to better business for you.
#5 Build A Network
One job is sometimes all you need to kick-start a formidable career in design. One client can lead into five if you build and network properly. Get on social media platforms and connect with other designers. Attend design programs online or offline, whenever or wherever possible. Exploit all means to build a network that brings in the work that will produce top-notch profit for you.
#6 Expand and Continually Improve Your Skill
In design, it is not enough to build a niche and remain a basic designer. Design is continuous, it never ends. There are always new skills to acquire and new techniques to learn. It is very important you continually improve on your skills to upgrade knowledge and get in the necessary attention.
