<\/span>Lost concept of time<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"Flexible](\"https:\/\/media.giphy.com\/media\/3ohs4AaImVBm4vB4Qg\/giphy.gif\" "\\"flexible")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What attracts the current generation of graphic designers towards freelance jobs is how flexible they seem on the outside. The added benefits of getting to stay at home or not having to commute somehow sound way better than being confined to strict 9 am to 5 pm jobs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But, all this charm comes at a big cost:<\/p>\n\n\n
\n- Sacrificing personal needs and boundaries<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Overworking<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Not allowing yourself time-off or vacations<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Excessive hours in front of a screen<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n
In the dislike of an eight-hour job, freelance graphic designers end up working from the daybreak to the day\u2019s end. Also, most freelance graphic designers end up spending more money than what they earn because of loosely defined payment methods and schedules from their clients. This can greatly hinder the way you upgrade your current equipment because of financial instability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Related: 7 Easy Ways to Create Accessible Graphic Design<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/span>Inefficient communication and workflow<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"It\u2019s](\"https:\/\/t10589978.p.clickup-attachments.com\/t10589978\/0960a39f-1f79-40e1-8928-4efa12810884\/image.png\" "\\"it\u2019s")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\u201cFreelance graphic designers account for approximately 90% of the total industry participation.\u201d \u2013 IBISWorld, 2020<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
One of the biggest drawbacks of the freelance industry is the lack of colleagues and motivators around. Though it\u2019s fun to imagine the possibilities of working remotely (like from a beach, a coffee shop, or a friend\u2019s apartment), you can\u2019t replace a supportive and dedicated work environment. Distractions such as pets, family members, or even a bed that looks way too comfortable \u2013 you can\u2019t possibly avoid them all ! And, working on a variety of projects from the same place brings a load of unwanted monotony across all your creative endeavors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Moreover, not being around adds a huge gap in communication for brand expectations vs the final output that is inevitably rejected. No wonder why a lot of freelance graphic designers are always too unsure of their talent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>What\u2019s the solution?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"Finishing](\"https:\/\/t10589978.p.clickup-attachments.com\/t10589978\/b8472a48-d971-45b4-9687-5758ef0b117e\/image.png\" "\\"Finishing")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Time-Management<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n- State your work hours\u00a0clearly to your recruiters or clients<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Maintain a routine\u00a0that balances work, life, and leisure<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Self-care, weekend breaks, and vacations\u00a0as any other full time employee might need<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Don\u2019t take up more work\u00a0than you can actually finish<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Be ready according to the client\u2019s daily schedule\u00a0for better communication<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Respect your personal boundaries and needs, like eating healthy, and limiting screen time<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n
<\/span>Financial Instability<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n- Be prompt with payments\u00a0and don\u2019t hesitate with follow up reminders<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Keep invoices ready\u00a0with all services you provide<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- State your pricing\u00a0beforehand, and in clear to avoid conflicts<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Don\u2019t make any purchases before payment, like buying products for the project out of your own pocket.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Work efficiently\u00a0and within limits of your other commitments<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n
<\/span>Communication and Workflow<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n- Find a workstation or a collaborative workspace\u00a0to ensure a dedicated headspace<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Work away from the same spot you sleep in, like working from a bedroom<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Stay in touch with clients\u00a0and form professional relationships through video calls<\/a> and texting channels<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Aim for regular check-ins\u00a0and frequent in-person meets about your designs to avoid any final stage rejections<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n
Simplified Design Tip: Want to have all your colleagues or clients have hands-on participation in your design ? With Simplified\u2019s collaborative workspace, you can easily communicate brand expectations and execute changes\u2013 real-time and right from your workspace. Get started today !<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What attracts the current generation of graphic designers towards freelance jobs is how flexible they seem on the outside. The added benefits of getting to stay at home or not having to commute somehow sound way better than being confined to strict 9 am to 5 pm jobs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But, all this charm comes at a big cost:<\/p>\n\n\n
- \n
- Sacrificing personal needs and boundaries<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Overworking<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Not allowing yourself time-off or vacations<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Excessive hours in front of a screen<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n
In the dislike of an eight-hour job, freelance graphic designers end up working from the daybreak to the day\u2019s end. Also, most freelance graphic designers end up spending more money than what they earn because of loosely defined payment methods and schedules from their clients. This can greatly hinder the way you upgrade your current equipment because of financial instability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Related: 7 Easy Ways to Create Accessible Graphic Design<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Inefficient communication and workflow<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n
\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFreelance graphic designers account for approximately 90% of the total industry participation.\u201d \u2013 IBISWorld, 2020<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
One of the biggest drawbacks of the freelance industry is the lack of colleagues and motivators around. Though it\u2019s fun to imagine the possibilities of working remotely (like from a beach, a coffee shop, or a friend\u2019s apartment), you can\u2019t replace a supportive and dedicated work environment. Distractions such as pets, family members, or even a bed that looks way too comfortable \u2013 you can\u2019t possibly avoid them all ! And, working on a variety of projects from the same place brings a load of unwanted monotony across all your creative endeavors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Moreover, not being around adds a huge gap in communication for brand expectations vs the final output that is inevitably rejected. No wonder why a lot of freelance graphic designers are always too unsure of their talent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>What\u2019s the solution?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n
\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Time-Management<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n
- \n
- State your work hours\u00a0clearly to your recruiters or clients<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Maintain a routine\u00a0that balances work, life, and leisure<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Self-care, weekend breaks, and vacations\u00a0as any other full time employee might need<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Don\u2019t take up more work\u00a0than you can actually finish<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Be ready according to the client\u2019s daily schedule\u00a0for better communication<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Respect your personal boundaries and needs, like eating healthy, and limiting screen time<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n
<\/span>Financial Instability<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n
- \n
- Be prompt with payments\u00a0and don\u2019t hesitate with follow up reminders<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Keep invoices ready\u00a0with all services you provide<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- State your pricing\u00a0beforehand, and in clear to avoid conflicts<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Don\u2019t make any purchases before payment, like buying products for the project out of your own pocket.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Work efficiently\u00a0and within limits of your other commitments<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n
<\/span>Communication and Workflow<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n
- \n
- Find a workstation or a collaborative workspace\u00a0to ensure a dedicated headspace<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Work away from the same spot you sleep in, like working from a bedroom<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Stay in touch with clients\u00a0and form professional relationships through video calls<\/a> and texting channels<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Aim for regular check-ins\u00a0and frequent in-person meets about your designs to avoid any final stage rejections<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n
Simplified Design Tip: Want to have all your colleagues or clients have hands-on participation in your design ? With Simplified\u2019s collaborative workspace, you can easily communicate brand expectations and execute changes\u2013 real-time and right from your workspace. Get started today !<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Aim for regular check-ins\u00a0and frequent in-person meets about your designs to avoid any final stage rejections<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n