I enjoy working on graphic design projects. They are among my favorite things to work on. There are limits to creativity in regard to functionality, but it is not as extreme as web design. With a website, you have to make the design work within certain limits such as browser viewability, type of format, etc. As much as I love to create marketing materials, I begin to wonder what would happen if I applied my efforts to my own dreams.
By dreams I mean publishing a book, creating art, etc. Over this past year, I have gotten away from creating marketing materials for others and moved toward creating them for myself. Strange as this model seems, it actually is working. As a result I believe my opportunities have increased. I formed a publishing company with a good friend, something I have wanted to do for a long time and I have gained so much satisfaction from this effort. This is not to say I don’t want clients!
It’s just that there are times when you have to diversify and work on a project for yourself because after dealing with some of the more challenging aspects of working with clients, you could use the positive reinforcement! When I began working in graphic design, I was practically giving my work away. After working my fingers to the bone for sparce (if any) returns, I began to get a little bitter. That is why I began to be a little more selective on who I work for. I also can’t express the importance of getting a deposit before you begin work. I can tell you, I have heard all kinds of hustles on why I should begin work without any guarantee I will be paid. This is definitely a no-no. Even after a decade, you can be fooled. This past winter I produced ten perfectly good designs and received nothing for them. It happens. As a result, I became even more selective, was thankful for the wonderful clients I have and just have decided, if it’s not broke don’t fix it.
My advice is, if a client comes up to you and has an irrisistable opportunity, ask yourself if this is something you can accomplish without giving your work away. If you are at risk of working for free, maybe you should channel that excitement into your own pet project. You will gain new experience, and you will also own it! I am proud that I have published books, and I have gained some valuable experience about the publishing industry. I believe that the model of the graphic and web designer is changing. There are other ways to generate income from your efforts such as readership, etc. Continue to value your best clients (they are a blessing) but don’t give up on your own dreams. Start a blog, write a book, create some art, enter a contest and use your skills to promote what you have done. Working on what excites you is a genuine learning experience and the sense of accomplishment is invaluable.