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any Freelancers here?
- Thread starter jtt
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Here is what's even worse:
maya said:1. Camera : Photographer: ARTIST
2. Video Camera : Camera Man/Woman: DIRECTOR
3. Photoshop : Graphic Designer: ARTIST
5. FCP HD : Video Editor: PETER JACKSON
7. Soundtrack : Audio Mixer and Recorder: DJ
8. a Macintosh Portable : Mobile workstation professional: COOLEST KID
9. a Power Macintosh : a Home Digital Studio
14. Black Turtle neck and Blue Jeans : Steve Jobs
The Past said:
That is my favorite title.
I love when somebody tells me they're an artist and i just don't understand.
If i don't understand you're not good at your job.
Freelancer
I'm a student in the UK. I am just about to finish digital art and technology. Its a great course, it got voted 3rd best design degree in the UK by computer arts.
I do a bit of freelance every now and again, but I like to be picky with who I work for, so I can have the kind of creative freedom a digital artist needs.
But lets be honest, web and logo design is a bit lacking in something to be able to call it art. But it pays the bills!
If anyone needs some cool website designs/logo work I can give my opinion and help. Not sure if this is why this thread was started or not?
Nick
I'm a student in the UK. I am just about to finish digital art and technology. Its a great course, it got voted 3rd best design degree in the UK by computer arts.
I do a bit of freelance every now and again, but I like to be picky with who I work for, so I can have the kind of creative freedom a digital artist needs.
But lets be honest, web and logo design is a bit lacking in something to be able to call it art. But it pays the bills!
If anyone needs some cool website designs/logo work I can give my opinion and help. Not sure if this is why this thread was started or not?
Nick
Aim High
As a full-time freelancer, here's my 2 cents.
Try to work for somebody that appreciates your work.
Most small-time clients don't know the difference between good and bad. Because they don't deal with the creative industry full-time, they just don't know the difference between good and bad work. These are the guys that will end up paying their 15 yr. old neighbor $50 bucks for a logo. Bigger agencies and clients recognize talent when they see it. Not only will you get paid your market value, but if you perform well, it will lead to more jobs, and better work for your portfolio.
Two things that I like to factor when deciding to take a job:
1) Am I being compensated fairly?
2) Is it something that I will enjoy doing or will be enhance for my portfolio?
Always try to get something out of a job, whether it be good money or good portfolio pieces. If there's no benefit to a job, don't waste your time.
Good Luck!
As a full-time freelancer, here's my 2 cents.
Try to work for somebody that appreciates your work.
Most small-time clients don't know the difference between good and bad. Because they don't deal with the creative industry full-time, they just don't know the difference between good and bad work. These are the guys that will end up paying their 15 yr. old neighbor $50 bucks for a logo. Bigger agencies and clients recognize talent when they see it. Not only will you get paid your market value, but if you perform well, it will lead to more jobs, and better work for your portfolio.
Two things that I like to factor when deciding to take a job:
1) Am I being compensated fairly?
2) Is it something that I will enjoy doing or will be enhance for my portfolio?
Always try to get something out of a job, whether it be good money or good portfolio pieces. If there's no benefit to a job, don't waste your time.
Good Luck!
Nitpick: Résumé has two accented es in it, if you're going to use accents (in the Kristin Roberts site).chaos86 said:
Its always been who you know, who you know knows and let your portfolio speak for itself.
Ive gotten several jobs by going to an interview for a job Im very capable of doing but not all that qualified (experience). After they view my work they suddenly know of another position that I would be perfect for. The message I guess is, get yourself out there and have NO FEAR! If you truly have what it takes your talant will speak for itself and the work will start comming to you.
Invest in a kick ass portfolio, this is your best promotional piece followed by networking.
Find magazines you like and send copies of your work to every magazines art director. Occasionally I will send to 10-15 magazines and on average get work with 2-4 of them. Dont expect immediate response. Sometimes they will call you 2 or 3 years later. Ive always wanted to be in Heavy Metal Magazine if only to say I was in Heavy Metal. So I sent them some work. I didnt hear back from them and figured "Oh well, at least I tried", Then out of nowhere 2 years later I got a call. I didnt even remember what I sent them and had to ask them to remind me of the work.
You never know......
Ive gotten several jobs by going to an interview for a job Im very capable of doing but not all that qualified (experience). After they view my work they suddenly know of another position that I would be perfect for. The message I guess is, get yourself out there and have NO FEAR! If you truly have what it takes your talant will speak for itself and the work will start comming to you.
Invest in a kick ass portfolio, this is your best promotional piece followed by networking.
Find magazines you like and send copies of your work to every magazines art director. Occasionally I will send to 10-15 magazines and on average get work with 2-4 of them. Dont expect immediate response. Sometimes they will call you 2 or 3 years later. Ive always wanted to be in Heavy Metal Magazine if only to say I was in Heavy Metal. So I sent them some work. I didnt hear back from them and figured "Oh well, at least I tried", Then out of nowhere 2 years later I got a call. I didnt even remember what I sent them and had to ask them to remind me of the work.
You never know......
The Trick I've Used...
After being undercut a few times I took the advice of an old college professor and I pitched a couple of clients a tiered system. Let me explain.
I normally work for $50 an hour (cheap I know, but in southern Indiana its kind of expensive believe it or not) but when I would have a potential client who would complain about cost I would whip up a different design with some of the really cool stuff taken out. When the client asks about the difference in the logo or website or whatever you simply explain "you get what you pay for". Its worked for me, but not every time. But it helps me compete with some of the low-ballers while still maintaining my reputation for quality work.
After being undercut a few times I took the advice of an old college professor and I pitched a couple of clients a tiered system. Let me explain.
I normally work for $50 an hour (cheap I know, but in southern Indiana its kind of expensive believe it or not) but when I would have a potential client who would complain about cost I would whip up a different design with some of the really cool stuff taken out. When the client asks about the difference in the logo or website or whatever you simply explain "you get what you pay for". Its worked for me, but not every time. But it helps me compete with some of the low-ballers while still maintaining my reputation for quality work.
mox358 said:
I have a slight different take on that. I tell would be clients that I ALWAYS do my best effort on every job I take on. Then I will add (if I'm being lowballed), that I don't believe I can put in the necessary time and effort that your jobs DESERVES. Any thing less than that would be doing you a disservice. I find this works with reasonable people who were just looking to see if they can get something for less. I talk to what's in their best interest and that they should not shortchange themselves on something thats important to their business. Some people want something for nothing, I find that if I start entertaining half effort for half price, that it becomes a slippery slope. These people are generally the ones that are going to nickel and dime you to death and make you wish you never agreed to work with them. I'm happier when I don't go down that road.
freeny said:Its always been who you know, who you know knows and let your portfolio speak for itself.
Ive gotten several jobs by going to an interview for a job Im very capable of doing but not all that qualified (experience). After they view my work they suddenly know of another position that I would be perfect for. The message I guess is, get yourself out there and have NO FEAR! If you truly have what it takes your talant will speak for itself and the work will start comming to you.
Invest in a kick ass portfolio, this is your best promotional piece followed by networking.
Find magazines you like and send copies of your work to every magazines art director. Occasionally I will send to 10-15 magazines and on average get work with 2-4 of them. Dont expect immediate response. Sometimes they will call you 2 or 3 years later. Ive always wanted to be in Heavy Metal Magazine if only to say I was in Heavy Metal. So I sent them some work. I didnt hear back from them and figured "Oh well, at least I tried", Then out of nowhere 2 years later I got a call. I didnt even remember what I sent them and had to ask them to remind me of the work.
You never know......
are you sending out .pdf's to them or mailing hard copies?