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07.01.08, 08:34 AM General Topics
9 replies
any freelance graphic designers on? i'm just wondering how happy you are working on your own, or if you have any advice. i've been basically freelance since dd was born 5 yrs ago, taking on few projects by choice, and am not super happy with the overall situation. money isn't a issue; i could stop working and we'd be ok, but i really *want* to still feel professionally alive and connected to the design world. being freelance gives me a lot of good time w/ dd, which is great...but i feel like i'm trying to design in a vaccum and would love to be in a more collaborative setting. i'm starting to lose confidence in my abilities and miss having feedback. was hoping to return to a more full-time situation this year, but now i'm expecting #2...and starting to feel quite depressed. (sorry so long...if anyone has any advice/thoughts i'd appreciate it.) [ Reply | Watch | Flag ]
General Topics 07.01.08, 08:34 AM Flag
 

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^^and am starting to feel like i'll never get back into a satisfying professional situation. (sorry this is so long...i'm feeling quite depressed about all this, and could use some advice/thoughts. thanks) [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.01.08, 08:35 AM Flag
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I am not a freelance designer, but I hire freelance designers a lot. Currently, the market for freelance is pretty tight b/c everyone's budgets are being cut and more work is getting done in house. Do you already have a lot of strong connections? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.01.08, 08:36 AM Flag
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i'm not worried about not having enough work. i have enough work through strong connections...but the isolation of working alone 100% of the time is getting to me. until 5 years ago i was happily working in much more collaborative enviornments, but when dd was born, i decided to be independent, but it's been very lonely. not sure how to get back on the right track, also b/c i've become pretty disconnected with other designers. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.01.08, 08:41 AM Flag
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can you work at the place that is hiring you? maybe you can offer that. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.01.08, 09:39 AM Flag
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it's more about having creative feedback, constructive criticism, and connection w/ other designers. i do like the independence that freelance status gives me, and am not really wanting to be employed by a company again. but thank you for giving my situation thought. i appreciate your suggestions. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.01.08, 09:48 AM Flag
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Hmmm. I freelance write/edit, and I know what you're saying. Can you find/organize professional events (drinks w/colleagues, prof'l organization receptions) as a way to get out and socialize? Or if you really need feedback, how about setting up a sort of "group office," as described in the NYT last week. Everyone would have a cubicle or desk and you could work there (drop in) as necessary. Freelancing is family-friendly work, but often lonely. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.01.08, 09:33 AM Flag
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thanks for your good ideas. i'll look for the times article and keep this idea in the back of my mind. could be a good solution for next year (currently not feasible as i recently rented a new office space, and it's too small for "group office"). i wish there were a freelancer-moms group out there (maybe there is and i just don't know...). it's good to know i'm not the only one who finds freelancing to be a bit lonely. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.01.08, 09:54 AM Flag
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Why don't you try posting somewhere like Craigslist to set up a group of freelance graphic designers to meet up on a monthly basis etc? A bit like a book club - very informal and you could meet at a Starbucks or somewhere like that to start off with. Be frank and explain it is because you need to mingle with more designers, and suggest a topical design theme for each evening - maybe one person could present some findings and then everyone could discuss. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.01.08, 09:36 AM Flag
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thanks! you've given me an idea, to try and create something like this through my grad school's alumni association. there are still lots of us in the city, and others might be in the same position i am. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.01.08, 09:45 AM Flag
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