Considering going full-time from self-employed
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- Mojo
I've done college, then started my business, and had some part-time work lecturing on a BA Design degree.
I want stable income. I'm in the UK.
What do I do? Where do I start? Anybody else gone freelancer - employed? I haven't worked under anyone else before other than my teaching job.
- Mojo0
Oh, I currently live in the middle of nowhere - the most north-west of Wales.
- Dust_Mine0
What Uni? and i hope you know your stuff as iv seen people leave place like coventry and Wolves with 1st and there porfolios are terriable not industry standard at all.
- Aren't you still a student Rybo?Dancer
- ahuhDust_Mine
- Dust_Mine:
http://www.blueharve…phatlee - So you know exactly what studios are looking for to fill a junior slot and you are still a student? Wow... //Dancer
- Wow, no come back. Must busy watching the afternoon slot of Neighbours!!phatlee
- yes i do as that what your taught, as a student, maybe they dident do that 20 years ago when u was a student. we have been round studios and i know alot of designersDust_Mine
- ...have been around alot of studios and i know a fair amount 2Dust_Mine
- I wish I knew as much as you Dust_Mine.phatlee
- Dancer0
He did run his own business which, I imagine, is quite an experience
- utopian10
I had several design studios, I ended up resigning after many years and then freelanced for about a year, got tired of chasing clients and money, never had stability or any type of collaborative efforts with other creatives' which I missed. Just started a full-time gig, good pay, benefits, etc. and I still freelance on the side.
Follow your heart...
- Mojo0
I didn't do a uni course, I went straight into business. I just think that most uni courses were a load of rubbish and aren't worth anything. People seem to want experience I thought, so I started a business. I did a National Diploma (2 years) in graphic design and got a triple distinction.
I've tried the self-employment game, and I find it really hard to wear all the different hats.
- Fariska0
It really depends:
if you are good enough to have enough clients (and since you've started a business) no need to go fulltime in some agency.On the other hand i found that freelancing here in London is dam easy/comfortable: basically you are working in an agency without being hired fulltime, and paid quite well!
A fulltime job in an agency is definitely another pair of sleeves. but is very tiring and stressful, depending on the workload/staff relationship that the agency has. But well, yeah, you get stable income, benefits bonuses etc etc.
And then there is the corporate in-house position: 9-5, mon to fri, good money but not-so-creative jobs.
- studderine0
school is alright, but money is tight.
- Spookytim0
I often think about going back into employment these days. I don't know why, my business does very well. I have this creeping fear of being made irrelevant by technology though, and becuase I don't do modern dynamic information technology I feel like illustrators might become museum specimins soon. Traditional non-screen designers too.
I often think that as much as I loathed and detested Interbrand in my twenties, I could probably grow old quite happily talking meaningless brandshite in their hallow'd corridors these days.
There were always utterly pointless people in their 50's in those kinds of companies, and as a young man I detested them and resented them for drawing a wage. I couldn't undertsand why they would cling on to their jobs when everyone thought they were hapless old fools who had nothing to contribute.
I know why they were there now. An easy ride into retirement with a pension. Gimme gimme.
- Mojo0
I have a technical mind, and can pick things up pretty fast, I've always had a good eye for design, but I've always struggled to find the work.
I've noticed that some people are born with a gift of making money. I don't have that. I'm talking about the people that aren't really amazing at their job, but they have the business/people skills blaggery.
Ultimately, I have a music-related life long dream that I want to pursue, but I don't know how I'd carry on with that while I'm 9-5.
I don't know how a 9-5 would cater for that, I'm not sure it would very well. I'm a computer geek as well, and I've potentially got some other 1 day a week work somewhere else, helping design and sort out the intranet at the new organisational headquarters.
What about people that do 4 days a week? That would be ideal for me. I'm not a greedy person, I don't care for money really - but I need enough to pay my bills.
I just really hate the instability. I need some consistency. I don't know how to get into the game. I feel a need to part of a creative team, not stuck somewhere banging out hapless shite.
The other reason for this is my gf lives in Redditch, Worcester, and I want to move closer.
This is partly a rant, I'm just really fed up.
- Dust_Mine0
Redditch Nice place not too far from me. lol
I think the midlands is really beginning to catch up in design terms and i thinking birmingham is producing soon great designers, artists and illustrators
- Dust_Mine0
Birmingham
- kinobe0
dust is right - the midlands but there are better places
i think having worked for urself for s long, wud u be happy working under someone else.
also will u earn the same amount as if u werent doing fulltime freelance. ur prob find that u just need to put urself out there more in order to get the work.
and possible re-brand/vamp your site as well in order to appeal to those clients who might want hi creative project specs
- Spookytim0
Oh Moth mate, I did my own accounting for a year or two so I feel for you. It was definitely worth doing it for a bit, so I learned how it works, but I can't recommend getting an accountant on the case highly enough.
Just do it Moth. You wont regret it. Should cost about 500 smithers a year and that comes off your tax bill anyway, so no cost at all.
- I too, was shit at it. My accoutnant had to go back over my two years and correct my tax returns.Spookytim
- Speaking to the average person, a good accountant will save you a lot of time, money and frustration. Well worth it.blaw
- My dad is mine.Jaline
- There you go Moth... Jaline's Dad will sort you out.Spookytim
- But I want Jaline to sort me out.moth
- moth0
Um yeah.
I should some share some wisdom. I might be able to redeem the hole I am in by working back through some bank statements for my expenses. I got some tips from the horses mouth - if you are a home worker - you can claim part of your rent and utilities. I never knew that, so hopefully I can shave another couple hundred of that bill....Expenses. I reckon that's the golden word for freelancers everywhere.