So, I’d like to think I’m the only one who’s ever had this conversation:
Individual hovering somewhere between acquaintance and friend in your social strata: “You still with [insert the name of whatever wildly successful firm at which you once played Creative Director]?�
You: “No—I went freelance about 6 months ago.�
Said individual—with satirical, knowing twinkle in his/her eye: “Ohhhh… so you’re unemployed.�
Like I said, I’d like to think I’m the only one who’s ever heard that, but my own short experience (and the sympathetic groans of every designer to whom I’ve recounted the story) tells me otherwise.
It seems in the eyes of these individuals, the Webster’s entry for “freelancer� looks something like this:
free.lanc.er ['frE-"lan(t)-s&r] noun : a quasi professional whose sub-par portfolio and mediocre intelligence preclude gainful, let alone enviable employment.
While this is unfortunately, undeniably true of some, I’d like to posit a few key reasons “freelance� DOES NOT = “unemployed.�
VARIETY: Some call it the spice of life—for me, it’s more like the bread and water of creative life. I crave it. I devour it. I thrive on it. As an independent creative, [still think that’s about the coolest title in the world] I have learned about industries from botanical skin care to high-precision metrology. I’ve worked with mayors and farmers, with kitchen-sink chocolatiers and board rooms full of executives. Every challenge requires new skills, every question pushes me to seek new ways of looking at the world.
FLEXIBILTY: I used to find myself blushing slightly every time I had to tell a client “well, I’m not at my computer at the moment…� because I was, in fact, half-way through a mid-day trail ride or 10,000 feet up a mountain. Why did I answer my phone at such times? Good question. Don’t get me wrong, the freelance life requires as much, if not more discipline than corporate employment. But, now, I rejoice in the flexibility it offers. I can work when my mind is most alert, in the environment best suited for the job: be it my 4-foot strip of dining room, a rock on the shore of a glacial lake, or open mic night at a coffee shop downtown.
RISK AND ACCOUNTABILITY: While most of the standardized tests high schools employ as career counselors would not recommend graphic design and a profession for adrenaline junkies, I get a thrill out of knowing that (serendipity, karma and divine intervention aside) I succeed or fail on the basis of my own merit, ingenuity and hard work. I love that there’s no one else to blame. I enjoy the butterflies bumping around my insides every time I submit a proposal. And I love knowing that every week, month, and year is going to require something new from me.
So, here’s to the freelance life!
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have an unemployment check to cash.
Very well said! Though I bask in the financial stability of corporate life and get a tuition reimbursement check every so often, I still crave being out on my own for the same reasons you state. Freelancing is rad (pardon my 80s talk).
Hello SaraJoy. I found your website through WebCreme and I must say your work is an inspiration. Not only your work but also your 100 things to do list inspired me to come up with my own and try my hardest to do EVERY SINGLE one of them. I am only 20 years old and I am working on my web startup. Thanks for the inspiration. You never know how your work or you jsut being yourself can affect someone else. Once again thanks.
Hi - justa note to say I love your site - the colours are gorgeous! And your portfolio is great too!
Thanks for your e-mail and I love your website—very creative and funny. Now why isn’t that surprising?
Just wanted to say that I enjoyed viewing your site and portfolio. I linked through from Cameron Moll's site. From a fellow designer: "nice job".
Nice! It's simple with depth.
Very well stated! I like to consider freelance work not as something worse than full-time employment, but rather the envy of the 9-5 robots....hey! maybe the reason they like to talk about it as the next closest thing to unemployment is because their inner person is over flowing with jealousy...just a thought. Anyways, keep up the great work, love the site! Oh, and BTW welcome to Utah.
Hi SaraJoy! I also just found your site off webcreme and love it. I can completely sympathise re the definition of freelance! The word also often seems to conjure up images of you sitting around waiting for some studio/agency to call you up and give you work, rather than managing your own client projects. I've started to say "i run my own small business" and things like that instead. "Independent creative" sounds cooler though ;)
just wanna to ask a question:
if a freelancer is good enough, have a lot of work etc... isn't he (she) thinking about start some company? I think in that way.. am I alone, or is there REALLY freelancers out there who likes it in this way and in none other?
PS: In opera i cant see the first heading (have to switch to firefox), but in forefox I cant see the post buttons (have to switch and copy text to opera :P)
Thanks for the post, Jan. Especially the heads-up on glitches with Opera...
You raise a valid question: If a freelancer is really that good, wouldn't they just start their own firm? Wouldn't they have to in order to keep up with demand? To be honest, the thought has crossed my mind. And I still consider it a possibility.
However, there are so many other things I want to do (non-profit work, grad school, a family etc.) and they [potentially] fit so nicely with the freelance life, that my answer for now is, Yes! I do like it this way and don't have plans to make it otherwise.
I love this! I've never been in the corporate world, but I do know the exceptional highlights of working for yourself. I just need to find the clients that take me horseback riding and mountain climbing.
To SaraJoy: Freelancing and working for yourself is the same thing. You make the call on your work load and whether or not you want to exand. Its all about how much you want to put into it.
I'm an idiot...I didn't even take the time to find out who the author of this blog was, and lo' and behold, I responded to you as if you were two different people. Anyway, what I said still stands though.
I couldn't agree more with everything you wrote here. Some people just don't "get it." Having worked in a variety of situations, including military, corporate, contractor, freelancer, etc., there's nothing in the work world that even comes close to the wonders of being independent. It's not for most people, in my opinion, but for those that can hack it, it's the roxxor. To me, the biggest benefit is simply time freedom.
PL&H,
Jassen