Let’s start with this: what’s one thing about freelance life that you wish someone had told you, especially about money?
Freelancing is more than just delivering great work; it requires financial planning and long-term thinking. I once thought stability would come from strong work, but the reality is unpredictable income. I’ve learned to approach freelancing like a business by building a financial cushion, investing in savings and insurance, and separating my creative passion from financial pressure.
After several years of freelancing, I now work as a Senior Visual Designer. This shift brought more structure and longterm visibility, but the lessons from my freelance experience still influence my approach to money, time, and creativity, blending freedom with discipline in my design decisions.
During my freelance years, I often said yes too quickly, thinking it was a win. I later realised that pricing is about protecting my time, energy, and mental space, allowing for a sustainable rhythm without burning out.
I started structuring my work around predictable income from retainers and ongoing projects, allowing me to explore passion projects without pressure.
Even now, in my full-time role, I maintain that mindset, balancing creativity with clarity and focusing on long-term value in every opportunity.
How did working with big agencies like Ogilvy and JWT shaped the way you think about the value of creative work?
Collaborating with agencies like Ogilvy and JWT as a freelancer significantly shaped my view on creative work. Working closely on their projects provided insight into the structured and strategic nature of the creative process, including briefs, timelines, feedback loops, and budgets. This experience taught me that design is not just visual; it’s also business-driven, goal-oriented, and highly collaborative.
Those learnings stayed with me. When planning freelance work, I reference structures based on scope, timelines, and expected impact. I learned to value the thinking behind the output. This clarity sets expectations early and keeps the work focused and professional.
Even now, in my current role, I carry that mindset. Structure, clarity, and a respect for process are just as important as creative freedom.
You’ve freelanced for over 6 years. What has stayed constant in your approach, and what has drastically changed, particularly in pricing, mindset, or the type of work you accept?
Freelancing has significantly influenced my thinking and work. I maintain a strong focus on clarity in design, communication, and timelines, ensuring honesty in ideas and intentional execution, regardless of project size or client.
Over time, my mindset shifted. Early in my freelance career, I accepted nearly everything, pricing based on urgency or client comfort rather than real value. Eventually, I learned to assess work more holistically, considering the time and energy required and whether it aligned with my long-term goals. This shift to more intentional choices was a turning point for me.
Freelancing is now part of my past; I’m currently a full-time designer. Those years taught me valuable lessons in managing expectations, defining scope, protecting creative energy, and valuing the thought behind design. This foundation still guides my work and collaboration in a structured role.
How do you adapt your pricing for diverse projects like brand calendars, packaging, and Google Doodles? Is it a system or more intuitive based on complexity and client scale?
Read the full article & much more in the Print Edition of Issue 68