Why do designers go into freelancing?
According to Investopedia, a freelancer is an individual who earns money on a per-job basis, usually for short-term work as an independent contractor. They are not an employee of a firm. On the other hand freelancing in design pertains to a work arrangement where individuals, recognised as freelancers or independent contractors, provide their design services on a project basis. Unlike traditional employment, freelancers have the autonomy to choose their clients, projects, and work schedules. Independent designers have the flexibility to collaborate with clients across diverse platforms, such as digital design, logos, brochures, books, or websites.
Why do designers go into freelancing?
Designers go into freelancing for various reasons, Whether it is because they do not want one occupation to define what we do, they have a lot of interests they aspire to explore various interests, driven by the necessity to juggle multiple gigs in order to sustain there livelihoods. (Ferguson, 2019). More advantages why people go into freelance are; flexible working hours which gives them the ability to work has many hours has they want and still create time for other things, flexible working location. Like sitting in a coffee shop to do some work or renting an office space, whereever they choose to work. However, this discount the concept of being truly mobile many cafes and libraries now have free wireless Internet, or they arrange there own mobile wireless broadband. They treat these locations as a complement to their office; this can help to counter the monotony of working in isolation, freelancers can also choose from the choice of project to work on, the freedom to select projects allows freelancers to tailor their workload to their expertise and preferences. It also enables them to negotiate terms, such as payment rates and project timelines, before committing to a job. More so freedom in clothing choice is also a good advantage for freelancers because they can wear what they want and not worry about dress codes of uniforms for working places. (Miles Burke, 2009).
What are the disadvantage of freelancing?
Has there are benefits of working has a freelance designer, there are also some disadvantage, such as; financial insecurity which is one of the major disadvantage of freelance design. Freelancers typically do not have the same level of financial stability as salaried employees, freelancers’ earnings can vary widely from month to month. This irregularity makes it challenging to budget and plan for future expenses. Freelancers may face periods of high demand for their services followed by dry spells with little to no work. More so, freelancers usually handle their own benefits, like health insurance, retirement savings, and paid time off. Since they do not get benefits from employers, freelancers carry the complete financial responsibility for these essentials. For freelance designers, expenses related to their work, such as equipment, software, and marketing. These costs can fluctuate and may be unpredictable, adding an additional layer of financial uncertainty. Tax responsibility because they are self employed, they need to set a-side some percentage of there earnings for tax which can be a source of financial stress if not managed properly. Apart from financial insecurity, many people tend to overlook work benefits, but freelancers can sometimes neglect important aspects such as health benefits, holiday planning, superannuation, and insurance. Which is often referred to as “soft benefits,” which you might have assumed would always be available, such as a gym membership, a vehicle allowance, or the privilege of using a company car, can be sorely missed once they are no longer provided. The tight budget at the beginning of freelancing can make it tempting to forgo these necessities, but it is crucial to consider the potential consequences of being unprepared when the need arises. (Miles Burke, 2009).
Are freelance Designers are looking for purpose or pay cheque?
According to research carried out by 99designs - Design without borders 2022, a freelance platform for connecting majorly graphics designers, design skill exists everywhere, and it is accessible. Many of freelance designers hail from diverse backgrounds and cultures, each bringing unique life experiences to the table. Given that eighty-four percent of designers collaborate with clients across various time zones, they are actively contributing these varied perspectives to clients globally. Freelancers recognise the potential for creatives to effect meaningful social change across various sectors, including healthcare, climate change, and addressing racial injustice. A substantial seventy-eight percent of freelancers hold this belief. Additionally, as brand activism gains prominence, eighty-five percent of freelancers emphasise the importance of collaborating with clients who align with their values. This trend is even influencing the financial decisions of designers. While freelance designers are being pickier about the jobs they take on, but at the same time, they are enjoying a better balance between work and life, along with more financial freedom. Sixty percent of designers say their work-life balance has improved this year, letting them get back to what motivates them most about freelancing: having personal flexibility and freedom. The shift to remote work worldwide has also created more opportunities, with 68% saying that Customers and organisations exhibit a greater willingness to collaborate with independent professionals now compared to the period before the onset of the pandemic. More so, will being selective about gigs be the case for designers who are new to the freelancing industry? For designers looking for experience, looking to gather feedbacks from clients, trying to gain trust from different clients. would being selective about jobs apply to them has well? According to (Gem Barton, 2016) Red Deer is like a perfectly mixed drink made by Lionel Real de Azúa, Lucas Che Tizard, and Ciarán O’Brien. Each of them brings different skills and interests to the table, creating a tasty blend when they work together. Instead of being all mixed up, they have figured out a way for each person to do what they are best at and enjoy the most. This team approach has been a winning recipe for success.
Case study 1 - Emily Brantley
Emily Brantley Artist www.emilybrantleyart.com
She stated that embarking on a career as a freelance artist brought about a significant learning curve for her, While she excelled in academic settings and knew how to satisfy an employer, the realm of managing her business presented an unforeseen challenge. After completing college without a clear career path, which made her take on a temporary role at in a church, handling administrative duties, managing there website, and overseeing various events for five years.
However, the journey proved to be more demanding than anticipated. Despite selling some artwork, she recognised that succeeding as a professional artist required more than just artistic skill. which needed some business skills like; marketing, finance, customer service, and other design skills like web design. To learn this she took on additional roles in copywriting and event planning during lean months. Despite working full-time as an art buyer and TV show host for a year, she always found herself drawn back to the autonomy of being an artist, where she could dictate hours, choose projects, and collaborate with like-minded individuals.
Realising the need for self-education, she read books like "The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Do not Work and What to Do About It" by Michael E. Gerber and "The Four-Hour Work Week" by Timothy Ferriss. Seeking guidance, she also reached out to successful artists and inquired about their career paths, striving to avoid the stereotype of the "starving artist." Engaging with gallery owners and participating in local art groups, networking events, and forming connections with fellow artists on similar journeys proved invaluable.
One crucial lesson learned was the importance of surrounding her self with supportive individuals who provide encouragement, assistance, and honest feedback. Constantly evolving her business practices and acquiring new artistic techniques, the journey of working independently is both exhilarating and daunting, with the full responsibility of her financial well-being resting on my shoulders.