5 Mistakes I Made as a Beginner Freelance Graphic Designer and How to Avoid Them
Starting a freelance journey can be quite intimidating. Deep down, our encouraging mind assures us that we have all the abilities to perform and excel at a project. However, it is not until we actually perform the job that we feel we are truly learning, thanks to the challenges and, most importantly, the reflection on “how could I have done this better?”
Below, find my initial, ongoing or, even better, now conscious and learned mistakes, along with tips and tricks on how to avoid them.
1. DO get paid half prior and half upon completion. DON’T be afraid to talk about money.
I know you want to secure the job by saying yes immediately, but please do yourself a favor and respect capitalism. Living in the US taught me how anything can be done for money. The value of your time is expensive, especially if you live in NYC, where everyone speaks, sees, and hears money. If your client doesn’t appreciate that, it may be worth considering if the consequence of working for this client is more rewarding in the long run. Is this the kind of job that I want to show in my portfolio? Will this client help me branch out? These are fair questions one should think about. I do advocate for learning experiences — just don’t get used to it, and learn how to firmly speak the money language. It won’t only show the client that you are professional and committed, but it will also boost your confidence and self-esteem (since you value your own time and efforts).
2. DO mockup when showing to clients. DON’T show the raw version.
The client could be your dearest cousin, but if you don’t show the potential real-life look of the design, it won’t get digested in the most precise way and, hence, will end up with more asks and revisions. I used to show my first client the actual Illustrator file (shame on me), but for some reason, it was not the primary aspect that crossed my mind, and I just felt eager to show my creations without considering the most crucial perspective: the mockup. Also, choose your mockups wisely, and don’t choose the first option. There are tons of mockups, and you can also learn how to create your own! A useful trick I learned from Kel Lauren’s YouTube channel is to always have your mockups ready prior to designing so you know the artboard dimensions, resulting in a faster and more productive procedure.
3. DO try, compare, and play with the selected hues from the color palette. DON’T just stick to the first color palette without ensuring it works across all channels.
I had finally mixed and matched the perfect color palette until I tried the lightest color as the website background and realized how ridiculously dark it was for my client’s web vision. I’ve learned to stay longer with the color palette and modify it accordingly as I notice discrepancies across channels. For example, the magenta I had chosen as the lead color for my client’s candle brand ended up being too bright and playful next to her sacred office vibe (yes, office vibe!). The environment can and should be critical when designing an identity brand. Asking tons of relevant and random questions will help you gain a thorough overview of what this project encompasses and how to select the perfect hues.
4. DO ask tons of questions. DON’T ever assume.
To be blunt, I created my client questionnaire based on the first five websites that popped up when searching for “questions to ask clients for graphic designers.” But I have learned that staying curious, being genuine, and asking how it flows, works best in a conversation rather than going through a checklist. I want to know everything my client has to say about their project, and I want to know how they express themselves, how they feel, and how they move their hands around when they speak about their vision and ideas. To clarify, I enjoy a long and thorough conversation with my client while I take notes on my iPad. It is necessary to get familiarized with the client questionnaire — well, it is implicitly what needs to be covered in the natural conversation — but try asking unprompted questions within the main questions themselves. For example, if the client states they feel the serif typography would work best, challenge them and ask them how their idea changed when they imagined the logo with a sans-serif font. What does the serif font imply? What if we changed the rules? I like going for unique questions and bringing a new air to the thought-process. Anyhow, ASK, and ask them to send you more examples and inspiration whenever they come across one.
5. DO send receipts/invoices right away. DON’T delay payments and expense management.
My client gave me her credit card info over the phone to place an order. I made the HUGE mistake of not sending her the receipt right away, even though she was on the phone with me. But why? The days passed, and she didn’t recognize the payment and had to cancel her business card and report fraud. I felt SO guilty, and I only had to send a receipt for order confirmation. With expenses, one needs to be organized and responsible. Be very transparent about handling expenses with your client, and always send your invoices as soon as possible!
BONUS: I don’t need to say this, but please always be responsive, reliable, and accountable. You are on your own time, so set realistic expectations on when you can get the job done. Most importantly, believe in your abilities and always look for ways to do something quicker! Feel free to connect and ask for perspectives on how to do something technical or non-technical. And finally, go on YouTube and learn — always keep learning!
