September 26th, 2020 | Updated on June 28th, 2022
Many modern designers have left their offices and work for themselves. At home, in a cozy chair, next to your favorite mug of coffee, plaid and cat. Or in coworking, getting acquainted there with new interesting people.
The work of a freelancer designer is convenient and profitable on the one hand, but very difficult and problematic on the other. Let’s deal with it!
Pros And Cons Of Freelance For The Designer
Pros:
- You can choose for yourself the most interesting and profitable orders;
- Your work schedule is flexible, you can work at night, at least 2 hours a day. And you can even work 24 hours a day;
- It is much easier to plan your business, because you choose when and for how long you can get away from current affairs: go to the store for bread, go for a walk with friends and even go on vacation;
- The bosses do not control you, do not drive you. Your bosses in the ocean of freelance is a customer;
- You don’t depend on your other colleagues, for example, a marketer who is crookedly setting tasks, or an art director who is suddenly ill or has gone on vacation;
- You can find regular customers and secure yourself a job for a long time;
- No need to spend time and money on travel. And nerves, by the way, too. In stuffy shuttles in summer and cold winters;
- You can draw your own models, lying on the sand on the ocean, drinking Pina colada.
Cons:
- You are looking for your own customers. It takes a lot of time;
- Because you work directly with customers, you spend a lot of time to clarify all the circumstances, you deal with money issues and discuss the nuances of the work;
- You don’t always have orders, whether they are thick or empty;
- If you work at home, you are more likely to be distracted by various household tasks;
- You buy all the tools yourself; you also pay for advanced training courses yourself;
- There are risks of being deceived by your customer. You do the work, and the customer will accept it and leave in english without paying;
- No free cookies and lattes from the corporate coffee machine.
Which Designers Will Be Suitable For Freelance?
Freelance is ideal for introverted people who like to work alone, rely solely on themselves and know firsthand about time management.
Only a person who knows how to competently manage their working time will be able to determine the schedule and work fruitfully for their own benefit.
If the designer is not used to independence, can not indicate at what time it is most convenient for him to work, and can not communicate with customers, it is better to wait with freelance.
Since customers are different, the nature and requirements of each of them are different, you need to constantly balance – do not let yourself sit on your head (in the case when “A, make another 356 variants of this logo, please”), but not to reject good customers immediately (“A, he did not like my first option? Well, him! Let him look for another designer! I don’t have time for the second one!”).
Is It Worth It For Novice Designers To Go Freelance?
Yes, and no. A beginner does not know much yet. For starters, it is better to work in a team. For example, in a web-studio, where there are more experienced specialists.
They will point out mistakes, criticize you and say “redo everything”. Yes, this may not always be nice. But it will definitely be good for you! You will wind up with all your mistakes and try not to make them in the future.
On the other hand, a novice can also become a freelancer to fill his hand. Take small orders to start with, with small budgets, using free iphone mockup, to work “on the table” for your portfolio.
Self stuffed bumps harden, especially since even if you have done something wrong, you can always contact your colleagues on the Internet and find there any training information. Fortunately, there are millions of tutorials in the network for all tastes.
