A freelance graphic designer’s survival guide — James Greig - Deepstash
Being a Graphic Designer in the Modern World

Learn more about career with this collection

How to create a strong portfolio

How to network and market yourself as a designer

How to manage time and prioritize tasks

Being a Graphic Designer in the Modern World

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Your portfolio

Your portfolio

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.

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Your hourly rate

Your hourly rate probably needs to be higher than you think. Research the going rate in your locality.

If people try to talk down your rate, stand firm. Once you agree to work for a reduced rate, it will be close to impossible to talk it back up again.

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Preparing for the interview

  • Research any potential new employer.
  • At the interview (or by email) find out what hours you will be expected to work. You might have to travel to a different part of town or start at an unfriendly time.
  • Find out your new employer's payment terms. Try to negotiate something shorter than the standard 28 days if you can.
  • Allow 15 minutes extra so that you're early on the first day. First impressions still count, so you don't want to be late.
  • Get prepared. Have a folder of fonts at the ready (on your hard drive, not in the cloud). And perhaps some templates ready to go.

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Work from home conditions

  • 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. You will stand a good chance of them agreeing. I now have a few clients who let me work remotely on small jobs or after the first day's briefing has happened at their studio.
  • 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. That's the joy of freelancing — it's not forever.
  • Are there other freelancers working in the studio? Make friends with them.

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Get a good accountant

... preferably once who works with people in the creative sector. 

Consider using an online invoicing system to manage your accounts.

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