Comments on: What you need to be a freelance graphic designer http://robcubbon.com/what-you-need-to-be-a-freelance-graphic-designer/ Design, marketing, graphics, internet, print, London Sun, 12 Feb 2012 03:14:59 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Rob Cubbonhttp://robcubbon.com/what-you-need-to-be-a-freelance-graphic-designer/#comment-116424 Rob Cubbon Wed, 09 Feb 2011 14:30:49 +0000 http://robcubbon.com/?p=2250#comment-116424 Hello <strong>Timbo</strong>, I would love you to keep me posted as to what works and what doesn't work in getting freelance work. I hope you find plenty on this site to help you. Get work in your free time first – it's the best way. Best of luck! Hello Timbo, I would love you to keep me posted as to what works and what doesn’t work in getting freelance work. I hope you find plenty on this site to help you. Get work in your free time first – it’s the best way. Best of luck!

]]> By: Timbohttp://robcubbon.com/what-you-need-to-be-a-freelance-graphic-designer/#comment-116385 Timbo Wed, 09 Feb 2011 07:15:36 +0000 http://robcubbon.com/?p=2250#comment-116385 Yeah ! i thought that was some pretty good information. To be honest I am a little scared of making this move but on the other hand its the one thing i have always wanted to do. Thank you for your honesty and clear direction of getting your self established as a freelancer. Hope you dont mind if i keep you posted on the progress that am making or rather the steps am taking to make all this come to pass. Yeah ! i thought that was some pretty good information. To be honest I am a little scared of making this move but on the other hand its the one thing i have always wanted to do. Thank you for your honesty and clear direction of getting your self established as a freelancer. Hope you dont mind if i keep you posted on the progress that am making or rather the steps am taking to make all this come to pass.

]]> By: Rob Cubbonhttp://robcubbon.com/what-you-need-to-be-a-freelance-graphic-designer/#comment-98882 Rob Cubbon Mon, 16 Aug 2010 17:52:05 +0000 http://robcubbon.com/?p=2250#comment-98882 Hello, <strong>Joanne</strong>, I would echo <strong>Mark</strong>'s comments there and to say that you should give it a go. If you have the computer equipment and software then the printing services, if you need them, can be done by the local printer. Experience is what you need and it will teach you a lot about being your own boss, etc. But there's no time like the present to start. Oh, and I've just written this blog post: http://robcubbon.com/how-to-get-freelance-graphic-design-jobs Hello, Joanne, I would echo Mark‘s comments there and to say that you should give it a go. If you have the computer equipment and software then the printing services, if you need them, can be done by the local printer. Experience is what you need and it will teach you a lot about being your own boss, etc. But there’s no time like the present to start.

Oh, and I’ve just written this blog post: http://robcubbon.com/how-to-get-freelance-graphic-design-jobs

]]> By: Mark Narussonhttp://robcubbon.com/what-you-need-to-be-a-freelance-graphic-designer/#comment-98492 Mark Narusson Thu, 12 Aug 2010 15:38:10 +0000 http://robcubbon.com/?p=2250#comment-98492 Re: Jo's comments. I would advise you to get as much commercial experience as possible first - work for free if you have to. This will give you valuable experience in taking briefs, working with the various software packages and also coming to grips with artworking/supplying print files. I'm sure that for a lot of students, they lack the knowledge to produce work in a commercial situation. Going freelance is a scary prospect even for a seasoned professional. I hope that helps and good luck. :) Re: Jo’s comments. I would advise you to get as much commercial experience as possible first – work for free if you have to. This will give you valuable experience in taking briefs, working with the various software packages and also coming to grips with artworking/supplying print files. I’m sure that for a lot of students, they lack the knowledge to produce work in a commercial situation. Going freelance is a scary prospect even for a seasoned professional. I hope that helps and good luck. :)

]]> By: joanne maguirehttp://robcubbon.com/what-you-need-to-be-a-freelance-graphic-designer/#comment-98459 joanne maguire Thu, 12 Aug 2010 05:21:11 +0000 http://robcubbon.com/?p=2250#comment-98459 hi, i am still a student this is my final year and i have been looking for jobs and internships, but nothing is coming up or i haven't enough experience, so iv been thinking about becoming a freelancer to see if it will help. your site has been really helpful but im wondering do you think it would be good for me to do this as i haven't got the experience in graphics or even being my own boss. i have a mac and all the software i need but i dont have the printing services i would need to keep the quality of work. there is so many questions i have and i have no idea where to start. i am very nervous about becoming a freelancer. hi, i am still a student this is my final year and i have been looking for jobs and internships, but nothing is coming up or i haven’t enough experience, so iv been thinking about becoming a freelancer to see if it will help. your site has been really helpful but im wondering do you think it would be good for me to do this as i haven’t got the experience in graphics or even being my own boss. i have a mac and all the software i need but i dont have the printing services i would need to keep the quality of work. there is so many questions i have and i have no idea where to start. i am very nervous about becoming a freelancer.

]]> By: Jamilhttp://robcubbon.com/what-you-need-to-be-a-freelance-graphic-designer/#comment-97957 Jamil Fri, 06 Aug 2010 04:05:26 +0000 http://robcubbon.com/?p=2250#comment-97957 Thank you for responding. I think you're confusing my words LOL I was saying that the Adobe software costs as much as two Macs...I already have a computer...:-P but you answered my question anyway. Thanks Rob! Thank you for responding. I think you’re confusing my words LOL I was saying that the Adobe software costs as much as two Macs…I already have a computer…:-P but you answered my question anyway. Thanks Rob!

]]> By: Rob Cubbonhttp://robcubbon.com/what-you-need-to-be-a-freelance-graphic-designer/#comment-97931 Rob Cubbon Thu, 05 Aug 2010 21:18:23 +0000 http://robcubbon.com/?p=2250#comment-97931 Hello <strong>Jamil</strong>, you don't have to use a Mac and if you want a Mac you don't have to have two. As far as Adobe is concerned, there are limited online versions of Photoshop, etc. Good luck on your journey. Thanks, <strong>Nick</strong>, it's good, indeed, to be a freelancer. Hello Jamil, you don’t have to use a Mac and if you want a Mac you don’t have to have two. As far as Adobe is concerned, there are limited online versions of Photoshop, etc. Good luck on your journey.

Thanks, Nick, it’s good, indeed, to be a freelancer.

]]> By: Nick Joneshttp://robcubbon.com/what-you-need-to-be-a-freelance-graphic-designer/#comment-97444 Nick Jones Fri, 30 Jul 2010 11:47:26 +0000 http://robcubbon.com/?p=2250#comment-97444 1000's of benefits being freelancer - Love the post 1000′s of benefits being freelancer – Love the post

]]> By: Jamilhttp://robcubbon.com/what-you-need-to-be-a-freelance-graphic-designer/#comment-97299 Jamil Wed, 28 Jul 2010 10:47:37 +0000 http://robcubbon.com/?p=2250#comment-97299 I'm about to embark on my graphic design journey and I have so many questions that you are answering by your blog alone. I was wondering if there was any way to NOT pay the price of a Mac plus a mini Mac for the Adobe software. I've been looking everywhere for months. In the end, of course I'll invest in it but if there is a way I can get it without paying so much that would be great. I’m about to embark on my graphic design journey and I have so many questions that you are answering by your blog alone. I was wondering if there was any way to NOT pay the price of a Mac plus a mini Mac for the Adobe software. I’ve been looking everywhere for months. In the end, of course I’ll invest in it but if there is a way I can get it without paying so much that would be great.

]]> By: Rob Cubbonhttp://robcubbon.com/what-you-need-to-be-a-freelance-graphic-designer/#comment-95910 Rob Cubbon Sat, 10 Jul 2010 11:02:11 +0000 http://robcubbon.com/?p=2250#comment-95910 Hello <strong>Mary</strong>, I hear you. We've all been there! All clients are not created equal. Some are nothing but a joy to work with; others you will be better off not having anything to do with. These things improve with experience. First of all, I always have in writing exactly the nature of the job plus the amount of design stages (this is very important - so there's a clear end in sight). As for your question, how do you put an end to it all, I have no great ideas. Just tell them to go away. And if anyone asks you to do something for free tell them "no". I hope this helps but, if not, I'll be writing more about this here soon. So, stay tuned! Hello Mary, I hear you. We’ve all been there! All clients are not created equal. Some are nothing but a joy to work with; others you will be better off not having anything to do with.

These things improve with experience. First of all, I always have in writing exactly the nature of the job plus the amount of design stages (this is very important – so there’s a clear end in sight). As for your question, how do you put an end to it all, I have no great ideas. Just tell them to go away. And if anyone asks you to do something for free tell them “no”.

I hope this helps but, if not, I’ll be writing more about this here soon. So, stay tuned!

]]> By: Mary Mhttp://robcubbon.com/what-you-need-to-be-a-freelance-graphic-designer/#comment-95855 Mary M Fri, 09 Jul 2010 18:10:00 +0000 http://robcubbon.com/?p=2250#comment-95855 I'm just starting to get requests from prospective clients (friends who have seen my work on facebook that I've put up and also, by word of mouth). I take classes and work during the day so my time is precious, but like a lot of other artists, I could use the money. My problem has been clients who try to describe what they want online, but they simply can't communicate clearly. They can't reference correctly what they want changed, they don't realize that they're talking in gibberish, incomplete sentences and giving very vague descriptions of what they want done differently. I've even had one lady take my design that took me hours upon hours to do, and then passed it around to her elderly friends who have no design background to make further suggestions on my design. I've had to make edit after edit, after edit for these people. How do I put an end to it, nicely. Also, how do I politely refuse people who just ask me, "Can you do this or that for me?" as if I have time to do work for them for free?! Why do people not understand, this is work that takes time, that I need to get paid for. I’m just starting to get requests from prospective clients (friends who have seen my work on facebook that I’ve put up and also, by word of mouth). I take classes and work during the day so my time is precious, but like a lot of other artists, I could use the money. My problem has been clients who try to describe what they want online, but they simply can’t communicate clearly. They can’t reference correctly what they want changed, they don’t realize that they’re talking in gibberish, incomplete sentences and giving very vague descriptions of what they want done differently. I’ve even had one lady take my design that took me hours upon hours to do, and then passed it around to her elderly friends who have no design background to make further suggestions on my design. I’ve had to make edit after edit, after edit for these people. How do I put an end to it, nicely. Also, how do I politely refuse people who just ask me, “Can you do this or that for me?” as if I have time to do work for them for free?! Why do people not understand, this is work that takes time, that I need to get paid for.

]]> By: Teach yourself graphic design | Blog | Graphic and Web Designer London UKhttp://robcubbon.com/what-you-need-to-be-a-freelance-graphic-designer/#comment-95541 Teach yourself graphic design | Blog | Graphic and Web Designer London UK Mon, 05 Jul 2010 09:52:11 +0000 http://robcubbon.com/?p=2250#comment-95541 [...] have laid out what you need to be a graphic designer in terms of software, hardware and resources. But the most important thing is yourself and your [...] [...] have laid out what you need to be a graphic designer in terms of software, hardware and resources. But the most important thing is yourself and your [...]

]]> By: Rob Cubbonhttp://robcubbon.com/what-you-need-to-be-a-freelance-graphic-designer/#comment-95350 Rob Cubbon Fri, 02 Jul 2010 16:55:03 +0000 http://robcubbon.com/?p=2250#comment-95350 I'm not sure if I necessarily blame anyone for going on there and underselling themselves nor the clients who post the projects. But, my experience has been the same as yours, I've never had any luck with them. Even with Elance, which I think is one of the better ones, it's incredibly difficult to get anything if you have no on-site reputation - a bit of a Catch 22 if ever there was one. I just can't speak highly enough of putting out your own stuff on your own site regularly and making sure you have quality links to it. Much better to get people to come to you rather than vice versa. Nice to see you here again, Mark, have a great weekend! I’m not sure if I necessarily blame anyone for going on there and underselling themselves nor the clients who post the projects. But, my experience has been the same as yours, I’ve never had any luck with them. Even with Elance, which I think is one of the better ones, it’s incredibly difficult to get anything if you have no on-site reputation – a bit of a Catch 22 if ever there was one.

I just can’t speak highly enough of putting out your own stuff on your own site regularly and making sure you have quality links to it. Much better to get people to come to you rather than vice versa. Nice to see you here again, Mark, have a great weekend!

]]> By: Mark Narussonhttp://robcubbon.com/what-you-need-to-be-a-freelance-graphic-designer/#comment-95345 Mark Narusson Fri, 02 Jul 2010 15:10:52 +0000 http://robcubbon.com/?p=2250#comment-95345 I notice you mention not going on the bidding sites. I've used one or two briefly and i must admit have got nowhere with it. Do you think it's the fault of designers under-pricing themselves to get the work or the clients posting the projects and not really giving clear briefs and a decent budget? I notice you mention not going on the bidding sites. I’ve used one or two briefly and i must admit have got nowhere with it. Do you think it’s the fault of designers under-pricing themselves to get the work or the clients posting the projects and not really giving clear briefs and a decent budget?

]]> By: Rob Cubbonhttp://robcubbon.com/what-you-need-to-be-a-freelance-graphic-designer/#comment-95213 Rob Cubbon Tue, 29 Jun 2010 22:14:38 +0000 http://robcubbon.com/?p=2250#comment-95213 Thank you, <strong>Jonathan</strong>, that's actually such a glaring omission I'm going to have to add it in when I get a chance. I just didn't see it as it was staring me in the face. Thank you! Thank you, Jonathan, that’s actually such a glaring omission I’m going to have to add it in when I get a chance. I just didn’t see it as it was staring me in the face. Thank you!

]]> By: Jonathanhttp://robcubbon.com/what-you-need-to-be-a-freelance-graphic-designer/#comment-95212 Jonathan Tue, 29 Jun 2010 21:43:05 +0000 http://robcubbon.com/?p=2250#comment-95212 It depends on which aspect of graphic design you apply. But, I find the most import thing to have as a graphic designer is a network of designers, illustrators, and photographers. This is especially important if you become a freelance art director. It depends on which aspect of graphic design you apply. But, I find the most import thing to have as a graphic designer is a network of designers, illustrators, and photographers. This is especially important if you become a freelance art director.

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