Skip to main content

“Going freelance has been the best decision I have ever made for myself.”

Danb

That tweet came from none other than Daniel Blackman. Vist his site here: http://dblackman.com/

Daniel was recently featured as one of How Magazine’s 8 Young Creatives to Watch: http://www.howdesign.com/design-creativity/projects-profiles/8-young-creatives-to-watch/

After reading his tweet I wanted to know more so I emailed Daniel to get the full story.

Before Going Independent:

• What did you do for a job?
I was a Senior Design at a shop called 160over90 here in Philadelphia.

• What convinced you to make such a drastic change in your life and career?
I kept wanting to make time for myself and do my own projects, but it never seemed to happen. Quitting gave me the time I needed to get the ball rolling.

• What did you worry about that turned out to be totally untrue?
That I would go nuts from the loneliness.

• What was the hardest thing about going independent?
Finding jobs seems to be an ongoing struggle..Down time makes me go crazy.

• How did you prepare to go independent?
I didn't really.. It was a bit of an irrational decision. One week I just decided it was time and went for it.

When you left your "job" and went independent:

• What went easier that you expected?
Getting started. Finding a couple jobs and make a few contacts.

• How did you find client work?
Just by networking. I am always letting designers from agencies know that I am open. Also I try to write one email a day to a random person or business.

• What would you like to have known before you became and independent designer?
How much money I owe the government.

• What positive life change did you experience as a result of going independent?
I am a lot happier now. Not nearly as negative

Now that strangers ask you for interviews:

• What would you say to encourage other designers to go independent?
I'd say to take your time. Believe it or not spending years in an agency that works you long hours is a must! It teaches you good work ethic, but also how to run a business.

• How do you continue to find work?
Just old fashion networking/

• What can most small business learn from one of your biggest successes?
I wouldn't say anything yet. I hope to one day start a business of my own.

• What can most small business learn from one of your biggest failures?
Keep in contact with people. If someone says "Email back in a couple months" dont let it fall off the radar.

Want to follow Daniel? Find him here:

Posted via email from Eye Say Design • The Web Log

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Invitation to view Eye Say Design's Picasa Web Album - PLRKHRD 0001

You are invited to view Eye Say Design's photo album: PLRKHRD 0001 PLRKHRD 0001 Apr 13, 2010 by Eye Say Design http://post.ly/aCxY View Album Play slideshow Message from Eye Say Design: Update :) If you are having problems viewing this email, copy and paste the following into your browser: http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/sredir?uname=eyesaydesign&target=ALBUM&id=5459759396252193297&authkey=Gv1sRgCNbazqfglImznQE&feat=email To share your photos or receive notification when your friends share photos, get your own free Picasa Web Albums account . Posted via email from Eye Say • The Web Log
Post a Comment
Read more

The Voice of Type

Whenever we say something to somebody, what we say can be interpreted in two ways by the person we’re talking to: They can hear the words we say that make up the message and, they can hear how we say those words. The way we say something can be just as important as the words we use to say it. The words of the message we audibly project can be completely altered by what it sounds like to the receiver. The same is true of visual language. The type we use to shape the characters of the words we say has a huge effect on the visual message that’s received by the viewer. In the first example it’s confusing. The second example illustrates the voice of the type used by using familiar type to drastically alter it’s perception. Which would you take more seriously? For your message to be it’s most effective, please keep in mind the implied meaning of the type choose you use to create the messages you put out into the world.  So, why does the type we use do that? We live in a visual culture. I...
Post a Comment
Read more

PLRKHRD 0001

PLRK is my personal and business philosophy of balancing the ideas and attitudes of play with the day-to-day grind of work to suppress burn-out and maximize the joy of creativity. Play hard, work hard = PLRKHRD This is a print campaign I'm working on which includes a poster, flier, ads, post card and fridge magnets. Enjoy! See and download the full gallery on posterous Posted via email from Eye Say • The Web Log
Post a Comment
Read more