Your attention please. Remove yourself from under that rock and educate yourself to the world of Aaron Draplin. In this particular interview, our friend Aaron spills the blood and guts of the truth. So, iIf you don't like getting' icky, stay out of the mud.
Oh, and buy some DDC merch http://www.draplin.com/merch/ or Aaron will find you.
Before Going Independent:
- What did you do for a job?
I was a Senior Designer, in the graphic arts.
I worked in a small design shop here in Portland. Great, great place called “Cinco Design.” They do incredible stuff, and back in the early 2000s, launched Nixon watches and Gravis footwear’s look and feel. I was lucky enough to work on the Nixon project, doing everything from catalogs to icons to watches designs.
Before that, I was the art director at Snowboarder Magazine in San Juan Capistrano, Calif. Behind the “Orange Curtain.” Goddamn hellhole.
And before that, I was in school in Minneapolis for a couple years, coming off a hot stretch in Oregon living like an animal, doing whatever it took (graphically) to survive.
• What convinced you to make such a drastic change in your life and career?
When my freelance spoils done on my own time started to rival—and beat—my salary ay my day job. That’s when it clicked for me: “I can do this on my own, on my own terms, in my basement, etc.” And I fuckin’ went for it! And it worked!
- What did you worry about that turned out to be totally untrue?
That there’d be long stretched of “no work.” I’ve been busy as hell since Day 1 of being on my own. I don’t know if that’s luck, or happenstance, or hell, who knows. I’m just thankful for the job, and the opportunities that keep presenting themselves. I’ll chalk it up as luck.
- What was the hardest thing about going independent?
Learning how to manage my projects was, and is, a challenge. I was spoiled to have incredible Account Managers figuring out the timing, objectives and loot on projects at Cinco, and miss the hell out of that camaraderie. They’d go to bat for me, and I’d give them my best. It was a two way street. I miss you, Dean Gross. Move home.
You just have to be on top of yer game. If you tell someone you’ll “have something for them to see Friday,” that shit better be there. Be good with yer communication, and keep the lines open with clients. That’s the best policy.
- How did you prepare to go independent?
I saved loot! And, any projects that were growing, I discussed future prospects with my clients and set up loose retainers. Once I had simple commitments, I had some stability under foot. That, and offers of, “When you do go out on yer own, call us!” Stuff like that. Word travels quick and before I knew it, the phone was ringing.
When you left your "job" and went independent:
- What went easier that you expected
Getting the jobs. Feeling very thankful writing that one.
Plus, saving money has been easier on my own. I think the whole “paycheck to paycheck” mentality can be fucking insidious, and can wear you down fast into a “dreamless” existence. You spend so much time pining for the next stipend, when you should be dreaming up the next opportunity, or, refining that logo to a new place, etc.
- What would you like to have known before you became and independent designer?
That you can more or less curate yer life how you want it. Don’t like going into work? The do it on yer own, from home! Don’t like workplace politics? Fuck it. Invent yer own way to work, you know? Shit like this. The confidence to believe COMPLETELY in myself, and my talents to guide the mystery that is “making a living.”
- What positive life change did you experience as a result of going independent?
More time for my own projects, and opportunities to travel, and time to raise my wiener dog “Gary” properly, and so many incredible things. Plus, it allowed me to focus my sights on the kinds of jobs I loved, and not the sort of shit that can feel like you are having yer arm twisted behind yer back.
Now that strangers ask you for interviews:
- What would you say to encourage other designers to go independent?
- Have some money saved, to pad the lean times, if any!
- Get some health insurance and learn how to budget for it each month.
- Pay invoices right away. No messing around. People play games with payments, and that shit isn’t cool. Know what you have, and what you owe, and keep it fair and simple.
- Be diligent with yer taxes stuff. Keep track of receipts and quarterly payments.
- Fuckin’ go for it? What’s the worst that can happen?
- What can most small business learn from one of your biggest successes?
If you want to do something, do it. I started Field Notes by simply making my own. Screen printing the covers, stapling them together, trimming them, etc. It’s turned into a bit of a real business and everything with the incredible help and partnership with Jim Coudal of Coudal Partners in Chicago. Tired of waiting for the perfect client? Become it!
- What can most small business learn from one of your biggest failures?
Charge for shipping!
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So, what do you think? Experience the liberation of speaking your mind publicly by leaving your feedback below. Thanks!
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