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Getting Started
Hello,
I am new to this site and it seems I have stumbled apon a valuable resource for any newcomers to the freelance world! I have not much experience and am learning in my new job as a junior designer. My course at uni taught me a programme I have not yet had to use (Quark) and my knowlegde of InDesign and Photoshop is self taught over a number of years due to little projects I have set myself. I am now learning more of these programmes in my new job and am coping really well (if i do say so myself!)
I would really like to be freelance one day and work from home. I am really asking for advise on how to start and when..? I don't see myself doing this job for too long as it is quite limited in creativeness but i am seeing it as a route to picking up elements of the design indusrty and collecting more knowledge of the programmes being used etc...
I am hoping that after a few years I will be fluent in most areas and looking for my own work...
What would you recommend doing in the mean time? I am currently re-branding my dad's photography business to add to my portfoio... is experience the key in starting out or does it not have to be as much...I am only 22 but thinking ahead!!!
Sorry for the essay - any help or advice welcome!!!:confused:
Thank you
Kaye
I am new to this site and it seems I have stumbled apon a valuable resource for any newcomers to the freelance world! I have not much experience and am learning in my new job as a junior designer. My course at uni taught me a programme I have not yet had to use (Quark) and my knowlegde of InDesign and Photoshop is self taught over a number of years due to little projects I have set myself. I am now learning more of these programmes in my new job and am coping really well (if i do say so myself!)
I would really like to be freelance one day and work from home. I am really asking for advise on how to start and when..? I don't see myself doing this job for too long as it is quite limited in creativeness but i am seeing it as a route to picking up elements of the design indusrty and collecting more knowledge of the programmes being used etc...
I am hoping that after a few years I will be fluent in most areas and looking for my own work...
What would you recommend doing in the mean time? I am currently re-branding my dad's photography business to add to my portfoio... is experience the key in starting out or does it not have to be as much...I am only 22 but thinking ahead!!!
Sorry for the essay - any help or advice welcome!!!:confused:
Thank you
Kaye
- Contact in PM
elastic
Messages count : 15Likes count : 0Registration : 28 February 2007When you become a freelancer, all the tasks that are done by the various departments of a large company, you have to do for yourself.
All those things we take for granted like a company advertising, marketing, payroll, sales, tax and insurance etc you have to do yourself (don’t worry, its not as daunting as it sounds!).
To that end, get as much experience and knowledge about ‘how a company works’ as you can while you’re there. Same goes for other companies that you do work for. This usually comes naturally anyway over time, but keeping your eyes an ears open is always good advice. One thing I learnt was it’s sometimes a good idea to get involved with ‘internal’ projects when there’s a chance you might learn something new (maybe about a different department)? It could even be something as simple as learning what file formats other media sectors use?
Anyway, hope this helps. - Contact in PM
Mangohornet
Messages count : 5Likes count : 0Registration : 30 April 2007My advice to you is to get a good couple/few years of experience under your belt before thinking about freelancing. As a junior designer you are there to learn your trade, so get to know the apps (PS, Illus, InD, and Quark minimum) so it becomes second nature, I would say that's imperative. Also, take time to build a good portfolio of work both inside and outside the working environment.
I started as a studio junior at 22 and though I didn't get to do much design there, I spent extra time working on my own stuff and learning the packages thoroughly which allowed me to move on to another job and so it goes on.
You can always earn extra money doing freelancing on top of your full-time job (though in theory you will have to let the tax man know) to build up your client base. This means that if you still feel in a few years you want to do it, you can call on a client base in addition to work placed for you by agencies.
So in answer to your question, it's great that you are thinking ahead but yes, I do think experience is the key should you decied to take the plunge. - Contact in PM
SpencerUp
Messages count : 5Likes count : 0Registration : 29 March 2007Hi Kaye,
Welcome to the forums!
I am in the same boat as you really, although I am in a slightly worse off position.... I am currently working for a marketing company but have been trying to teach myself indesign, photoshop and illustrator. I am doing it at home, now you have uni experience which helps because you have come out of it and got a job as junior, what would you reccomend to me to get into that position? I cant just apply.... did you present a portfolio when you went for the interview, can anybody here give me some tips when putting together a portfolio? What kind of book do I need to present it in? do I get my work that I want to put into it professionally printed?
How expensive is it for prints etc?