Thanksgiving Gluttony

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Warning: Today’s post will not add any significant value to your life. This is totally a random collection of my thoughts throughout my six-day Thanksgiving holiday break.

Thanksgiving Eve

“Man, I feel so productive!  I’ve accomplished so much today.  If I keep this up, I can knock out a few things on my internal to-do list in addition to client work by Monday.”

Thanksgiving Day – Morning

The Macy’s Parade!!!

Made a Black Friday to-buy list for online shopping

Thanksgiving Dinner with friends

Thanksgiving Day – Evening

Catatonic state, induced from over consumption of flightless birds, alcoholic cupcakes, yams and greens…not necessarily in that order.

“Now it’s time to shop…snore…zzz…”

Friday

“Alright, let’s get some work done…wait, where’s my shopping list?”

“Yaaaas! Sales!!! Take all of my money!”

“All of the gadgets I’ve ever wanted are on sale!!! Here’s my credit card!”

“I really should get some work done though.”

“I wonder what’s on my niece and nephew’s Christmas lists, now would be a good time to shop.”

“Man, where has the day gone? It’s almost 2pm…maybe I will take a nap.  I can do some work this evening.”

“Yawn…what a nice nap.  Now, to work.”

“Maybe I should make some coffee…and eat that plate I made to-go yesterday.”

“That Alison sure can cook; that food was good!  Snore…zzz…”

Saturday

“For real this time, I need to do some work…”

“50% off everything online at Express and FREE shipping? Yaaaas hunty!”

“This purchase is business related; that counts as working, right?”

“Merry Christmas to meeeeeeeeee!  I’m crossing off almost everything on my Black Friday to-buy list”

“I said I wouldn’t spend more than $XXX, I should probably stop now…”

“Answering one random email counts as work for the day, right?”

Sunday

“At this point, I might as well wait until Monday to do some work.”

Monday

“I wonder if GoPro cameras are on sale…”

I think it’s safe to say that I did not spend my Thanksgiving holiday break productively, although I definitely did SPEND!

Burnout Made Me Lazy

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Burnout made me lazy.  Here’s another admission; I suffered a bit of burnout at the end of 2014.  After things picked up and I started to make it out of the hard time I had been having with my business, I burned myself out.  I was juggling freelance work with an onsite contract assignment and when I ended that year on a bang, I was mentally and creatively pooped.

Financially, things were looking pretty good.  The contract assignment paid well and freelance work had picked up.  The two together were bringing in an income stream that I was pleased with.  Because I am pretty frugal and pretty particular on what I spend my money on, I was also able to save more money.  However, I had to be very rigid and disciplined with how I spent my time.  Time is something that we cannot make more of.  There are only 24 hours in a day and I had to maximize every waking hour in order to maintain both income streams.

As a creative, I need down moments to regenerate and dream new ideas.  It started to get a bit difficult to get inspired when inspiration time was scheduled and not something that happened organically.  Ready…set…go!  Brainstorm an awesome, creative idea now!  Yeah, no…not happening.

I thought I would be ready to return back to my blog by the end of that year, but no.  I was burned out and I decided to ease back on trying to get back to my writing and also to take on less freelance projects during the beginning of 2015.  January is usually pretty slow anyway so I figured it wouldn’t be a hard thing to do.  I once again stopped my marketing efforts and I allowed my burnout to make me super lazy.

Burnout made me lazy.  Because I had two income streams I severely slacked on one, my freelance design business, because I could fall back on the other.  I was still able to do the things I wanted, like travel, so I didn’t think it was too bad of a thing.  In fact I told myself that the rest and relaxation from going on vacation would rejuvenate me and I would return ready to dive in and jumpstart things.  Really, burnout made me lazy.  My return from each trip, never jumpstarted any serious motivation to “go hard” with my business.

Burnout made me lazy.  In previous years, I actively sought out freelance work.  I spent a considerable amount of time marketing myself, building connections and staying abreast on the latest marketing trends.  After the burnout, I stopped actively marketing, building and learning.  I still took on freelance work, but I didn’t actively seek it out.  Burnout made me too lazy to do so.

Now, I am trying to kick my laziness off of a cliff.  I have returned back to writing and actively marketing myself again.  I still do contract assignments, but I am only taking on short-term, part-time and remote work.  That’s giving me more time to focus on my freelance work and have those organic, inspiration periods of time.

Jumping back into things has shown me just how lazy I have become.  I am constantly trying to figure out how I was getting so much done/accomplished previously.  I didn’t even realize just how much I was doing until now.  I am not currently getting a quarter of the things I used to get done, done.  However, I know I will get there if I keep pushing and kicking lazy’s…fill in the blank.

Have you ever struggled with periods of laziness as an entrepreneur/business owner?  Has burnout ever made you lazy?

 

 

Cheap Graphic Designers vs. Expensive Graphic Designers

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Have you searched for a graphic designer, noticed a wide range in pricing and wondered why?  If you haven’t had much experience working with or a firm understanding of graphic design, you may feel that some designers are charging exorbitant fees.  Especially when you can find cheap graphic designers doing what seems to be the same type of work for a lot less.  I promise the vast majority of designers are not trying get over on you with what may seem to be “high” prices.

Today, I am going to attempt to explain why there is such a variance in pricing and few pros and cons to using graphic designers from each end of that spectrum.

What does it take to become a graphic designer?

To start off, what does it take to become a graphic designer?  I am often asked how I got into this field and if I went to school for it.  For me, the answer is yes.  I did go to school to become a graphic designer and I didn’t go to an “art school.”  My journey to becoming a graphic designer took me through a graphic design bachelor’s degree program at the University of Alabama, in Huntsville.  However higher ed, or “college” is not the only route one can take to becoming a graphic designer.  It  may be an easier route of entry into the field, but by no means the only way.

There are a host of very talented and successful graphic designers that are self-taught.  Some took classes in high school that gave them an introduction into the field, and others dabbled in it on the side and turned it into a full-fledged second career.

When it comes to pricing, experience is the biggest determiner.

The more experience a graphic designer has, the higher the cost to hire them.  This is because you are literally paying for access to their knowledge base, skill level and expertise.  On a corporate level or ad agency level, the same can be seen in graphic design salaries.  School is great, but seeing and learning how what I learned in school translates to the real world is an experience of its own.

There is no way that everything I know now, could have been learned in those 4 years of college.  From paper stocks; printing methods; translating print to digital applications; how marketing principles and advertising factor into design; down to the nitty gritty nuances of local, federal and international regulations for things like packaging design.  Add to that the fast and changing pace of technology, and you have to be living and breathing this field all the time to keep up.

I’ve seen a lot of great work come from newer and less experienced designers and there are some that I think are on track to have excellent careers.  I would recommend them in a heart beat to someone that may have a budget that’s smaller and I have referred work over to them.  However, I also have seen more rookie-type mistakes made that can completely be attributed to experience level. It doesn’t make them a bad designer, they’re just less experienced and the likelihood that they will continue to make mistakes of that nature are slim.  You learn from experience.

This is why salaries for graphic designers range in the same way you see pricing models and rates range with freelancers.

Full-time freelancer vs. A part-time freelancer

You will also see a variance in pricing in regards to whether or not the graphic designer you choose is a full-time freelancer or a part-time freelancer with a day job.  Let’s be honest, the financial revenue needs of the full-timer are probably going to be higher than that of the part-timer.  The part-timer with a day job has another source of income, the day job.  The full-timer has a day job as well…their full-time freelance business.

The part-timer can afford to charge below market prices because they can make up their income needs with their day job.  The full-timer has to charge at least average market prices (in relation to their skill level), because this is how they eat and earn a living.  It is their day job.

There are pros and cons to hiring each.  With the part-timer, you can potentially hire a more experienced designer at a lower rate.  However because they have to work around their full-time day job, they may have less time available to work on projects.  Their turn around times may be slower than that of a full-timer and because they have to be mindful of how much work they can actually take on and do, there may be a waiting period to start your project.

The full-timer may be more expensive, but you may also get quicker turn arounds and have better access to them for questions and concerns.

The proof is in the portfolio

Whether you choose a “cheap” graphic designer or an “expensive” graphic designer, make sure to really sift through their portfolio and don’t be afraid to ask them questions about it.  Unfortunately there are some not so great designers that lift the work of others and place it in their portfolio as their own. If you see a difference in the quality of work through out a graphic designer’s portfolio, it could be an indicator that this is the case.  Ask them to tell you more about that particular project.  If they cannot tell you why they went in the direction that they did and background about the project, it’s probably not a project they actually did.

If you are looking at the portfolio of a designer that is less experienced and you are seeing work done for large brands, don’t dismiss this work as being something they lifted from another designer.  It may be conceptual work done in school or as an exercise to build and broaden their portfolio; they are showcasing what they are capable of doing.  If you ask them about it, they should be able to defend the piece and tell you about the project’s background and why they went in the design direction that they did.  It is a good indicator of what kind of work they could do for you.

A more experienced designer may also have more recognizable brand’s in their portfolio and some may not.  However the majority of the portfolio, if not all of it, will contain real produced pieces.  These portfolio pieces will give you an idea of the type of experience they have and industries, methodologies and constraints they have worked within.

Choose what’s best for you and your budget.

At the end of the day, you have to choose the right designer for your needs and budget.  If your budget is small and your need is immediate, your choices are going to be a bit limited.  However, it doesn’t mean that you cannot still end up with a quality design product.  You may just have to make a few sacrifices with the amount of time it may take to achieve it, the number of revisions necessary and you may need to exercise a little more patience.  Almost every designer wants to please and make the client happy (within reason).  No designer wants to make a crappy design and less experienced designers want portfolio worthy work to showcase their skills.

If you want a more experienced graphic designer and have a medium-sized budget, someone that freelances on the side may be a good fit for you.  They will be more expensive than their less experienced counterparts, but they may be cheaper than someone of the same skill-level or higher that freelances on a full-time basis.  It may be a little harder to get on their docket and for them to take your project on though.  If you have a quick turn-around need, they may not be able to fit the bill.  Because they have a “day job,” they have less available time than someone that does it full-time.  If you can be flexible with your timeline and turn-around expectations, this may be a good fit for you.

For the more experienced graphic designers, you are going to need a reasonable budget because they are going to be more “expensive.”  Think of it in terms of hiring a lawyer.  You can get a “cheap” lawyer, fresh out of school and eager to please, to handle your case and they may do a good job.  However, the more experienced lawyer that has handled hundreds of cases like yours may get you a better result.  There is a lot of knowledge gained with years of experience.  They have been tested and proven by every client before you.  The same is true for graphic designers.  If funding is an issue for you, ask if there are payment options available.  If the designer accepts online payments and credit/debit cards through Paypal, you can apply for a line of credit with Paypal.  It will pay the designer and allow you to make payments.

For all three:  the entry-level designer; mid-level designer; and senior-level designer, you can get good work.  Use your budget needs, their portfolio credit and client testimonies to make a decision on the best fit for you.  Hopefully, after reading this super long (sorry) post you have a better understanding on why some graphic designers are cheaper than others and what this can mean for you.

Why I like doing graphic design contract work

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When I went through a tough time with my design business, I decided to supplement my income by picking up graphic design contract work.  Working graphic design contract jobs was not something that was new to me.  I spent four years working for 3M as a designer in Atlanta…as a graphic design contractor.  Working as a contractor and for such a long period of time, gave me a bit of a confidence boost to launch into my freelance career on a full-time basis.

A lot of graphic designers do not necessarily enjoy graphic design contract work, but I do.  I think it depends on your reasons for doing so.

Graphic design contract work can be a launching point to start a career in graphic design; to gain experience in the field while studying graphic design in college; to fill in gaps during periods of unemployment; to land a full-time position or in my case, fill in gaps when freelance work is a bit slow.

If you are looking for a full-time, permanent position it can be a good starting point, but can be a bit frustrating.  There tends to be more short-term and long-term open-ended contract jobs than there are full-time, permanent placements.  At least that seems to be the case here in Atlanta.

If you are not looking for full-time, permanent work it can be profitable and sometimes a bit fun.  I like working as a graphic design contractor for the following reasons:

Change of Scenery

As a freelancer, I work out of my home office.  Everyday I see the same four walls.  I occasionally re-decorate my space…but it’s still those same four walls. #boring

The first graphic design contract gig I did since I started working as a full-time, freelancer, I literally told the client, “wow. It’s really nice to see something other than my same four walls!”  Being away from my home office and in a new work environment, felt like I was on a work field trip.

I know a lot of freelancers that work out of coffee shops or co-working spaces for this reason, but I have never really been able to do that and still be productive.  I think for me, being in a structured environment like when I am on a contract gig is the difference.  It’s like when I went back to school for my Master’s degree.  I knew I couldn’t do it online and needed a brick and mortar program because I needed the structure that comes with it.

I also find it interesting to see how different companies setup and design their work spaces…weird, I know.  These “work field trips” are like an interior office space design tour that I am being paid to be on.

Seeing What Others are Doing

Speaking of seeing how others are designing their work spaces, I also like seeing how they operate.  What are the business processes and workflows they are using or have developed?  Seeing what’s going on in my field in this regard first hand and in different business types and sizes is invaluable.

During my time so far doing graphic design contract work, I have actually adopted a few new processes and systems for my business that I observed to be useful.  I have also affirmed that a few of the processes I already use are good and need to remain in place.

Working as a freelancer and from home, keeps me in a bit of a bubble.  Doing contract work, takes me outside of that bubble and allows me to see new ways and perspectives that can benefit me with my business.

Finding Out How I Measure Up

That bubble that I am wrapped up in as a freelancer that works from home and often by myself…yeah, it keeps me from seeing the reality of where I really am from a skill and career level.  This is because I have no co-workers.  There is no one for me to make a direct comparison to from a working level.

I can browse portfolios online and look at work done by others, but there is something more that you can learn to make that comparison, by knowing and talking to those same people.

Before my contract Jr. Art Director gig with NCR, I thought I had the skill set necessary to do the job, but I didn’t know I did for sure until I landed the gig and started working.  I’ve done Art Direction work for clients and I have Art Directed and project managed projects, when I have sub-contracted some of my client work.  However, I did not feel like I had “officially” been an Art Director until I took on that contract position.

Now, I am o-ffic-ial. 🙂

Adding to my Skill Set

Working contract has also allowed me to add to my skill set in a couple of ways.  One, it has provided a little extra income that I can now devote towards paying for classes, training courses, etc, to continuously stay current in my field.

Two, opportunities sometimes present themselves on contract design jobs that challenge your current skill set.  For example, while at NCR, I worked on a project that came with a request to make an icon font based on Font Awesome.  I’ve never created a font before, but I was familiar with Font Awesome from my freelance web design work.

I told the client that I would do some research and let them know if it was something I could do.  After researching I determined that I could and I did.  That is something that I don’t believe would have happened with my freelance business.  I believe I would have turned that request down.

Now I can say that I know how to create an icon font…or I at least know a way to do so!

Hermit Prevention

I keep mentioning how I work from home, have no co-workers and see the same four walls day after day.  If I am not careful, this could potentially lead to me becoming a full-fledged hermit!  I’m also an introvert, so it can be a bit difficult to get me out and socializing from a personal perspective.

Working graphic design contract jobs, gets me out of the house and around people.

Enough said.

Easy Money

Because I prefer to take on short-term or part-time graphic design contract work, the work is not normally super labor intensive or has a tendency to be more production-based with templates and brand guideline restrictions.  A lot of designers find this type of work to be grueling or less desirable.

I see it as easy money.  I also see it as a way to stay sharp with skills that are not directly related to creativity.  If you don’t know the production side of things, you can easily conceptualize something that cannot be easily produced or produced within your client’s budget.  Doing production work keeps you sharp and knowledgeable in that regard.

It may not be “glorious,” but it’s necessary.

If you are a freelance creative professional, don’t be afraid to pick up contract work through a creative staffing agency.  You can still freelance, especially if you only take on short-term or part-time assignments.  It’s a way to learn and grow, all while making dough.  Hey, I just rhymed! I should become a rapper.  🙂

Your Stuff Cannot Stink – Prove Your Ability and Worth

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Yep, here we go again. Colleen is on a bit of a rant again today. What has my gears grinding today? Businesses that think they are illusionists and use smoke and mirrors to dazzle you into believing their claims. They use their messaging to tell you how great they are, but do not show you how great they are. In the past, it may have been enough to use frilly adjectives like “awesome,” “great,” and “best” to sell a product or service. However, today’s consumers are a bit more skeptical and you need to demonstrate or prove that you really are the best, great at what you do and have an awesome product.

To borrow a line from the movie Jerry Maguire, “Show me the money!” For example:

If you build “cutting edge” websites, but your own website looks similar to Berkshire Hathaway’s website or you are using the free version of Wix (that includes their logo and favicon), I’m not going to believe you. I probably won’t bother to take a look at your portfolio, because you have proved to me by your own site, that you do not know what cutting edge currently means when it relates to web design.

If you are a self-proclaimed social media maven or guru, I should be able to find you on every major social media network. Not only should I be able to find you, but I should be able to see your prowess reflected in the quality of your posts, engagement and following/fandom on those networks. I need to see you walk the walk, not just talk the talk.

SEO, SEM or PPC expert that gets great results? Show me with a few case studies that include mathematical figures and percentages of how you took a client from point A to point B with their goals. If you can back that up with a few client testimonies from real and verifiable business owners, I might just believe that you can improve my search engine rankings and boost my website traffic.

In a nutshell, your stuff cannot stink. Fluffy adjectives to describe yourself and your business/product will only get you so far. If you are truly as good as you say you are, you should be able to prove it.

 

dont-just-tell-me-show-me-you-can