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Wanna be Freelance Graphic Designer?
Author: anton ardjanggiThings to be considered before you decide to become Freelance Graphic Designer
- Place to work
First thing first, you are going to need place to work so you can work efficiently and effectively. If you work at home, a separate room would be nice in order to avoid any other home activities. Having a room to place a set of computer is worthy enough, even better if you have more space to any supporting activity such as writing, drawing, printing, set up final artwork (mock up), because as a freelancer you have to do all work which is supposed to be done by more than one person. Place your telephone or fax machine near you, so you dont have to get up to receive or make a call. It would be better if you have filling cabinet to store all your paper-works.
- You are the company (and the company is You)
As a freelancer, youre not only creditworthy for your creative-works, but youre creditworthy for your marketing, briefing, presentation, accounting and filling system matters as well. You are also creditworthy for all incoming calls, make appointment and take any complain (if any). Being a freelance graphic designer is not only about creativity and design, but it needs strong commitment and takes a enormous responsibility.
- It needs a lot of patient
All the activity mentioned above needs a lot of patient. It happen so often, when you are so busy designing and need very worthy mood, at the same time you have to take the incoming calls from your clients whos complaining your recent work (bad service, inferior quality, etc.). Not to mentioned technical problems which occur at the inferior time such as problems with your computer, paper-jammed printer, race out of paper, ink and the list goes on. Those problems will hamper your on-going project, and you have to tell your client about the delay.
- Be a professional
As a freelancer you have to be professional. You might be stressed with your on-going project, but at the same time you have to do presentation in front of your client. In this kind of situation you have to be able to get your stress out of your head and leave it at home, on the other way you need to get your concentration on your presentation. Do not let your problems home ruin your presentation. Keep your performance at the highest level, dont forget as a freelance graphic designer, youre not just an artist, but youre a businessman as well! Your performance affects how the way your client evaluate youself and how the way you race your business.
- Well organized
To race business by your self, you have to be a well organized person. Well organized for your filing system on your computer, filing system for your paper work, graphic tools, the preparation for your presentation, etc.
- Supporting facilities
It would be the best if you have telephone, facsimile and e-mail with high speed internet connection. Set your e-mail program to receive all mails at least 15-30 minutes automatically, so you will not miss any necessary mails.
- Discipline
The key of success for being freelancer is DISCIPLINE. Trust me its not an easy thing to do, because you have to discipline yourself! No one would warn you but yourself! Discipline in this case consists of:
a. Discipline with your time, although you work by yourself at home, you have to work at office hours. You cant wake up late and start working at 10-11. What would happen if your clients try to reach you at 9.00 while youre still sleeping?! In this situation, your clients dont care about your condition (whatsoever). He has right to call you at the office hours, on the opposite you have responsibility to serve them during that time.
b. Discipline with your money, as a freelancer you have right to own all the profit you get! But it would be wise, if you pay yourself on a salary basis. That way you will save few bucks each month, because who knows you dont get any job later on That happens if you dont have strong or enormous market.
c. Discipline with YOUR OWN DECISION, being a freelancer is not an easy thing to do! It needs a strong commitment that you have to respect and do it consistently. You better think twice (or maybe more) before you make decision to be a freelancer, because once you jump in this industry as a freelancer, than you risk your own life and your own credibility!
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/graphic-design-articles/wanna-be-freelance-graphic-designer-97502.html
About the Author:Freelance Graphic Designer, http://anarddesign.blogspot.com/
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Keywords:
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