Creative Business Chats: A Day in the Life of a Freelance Designer

I recently did an interview and want to share as it answers questions I often receive about what I do & why I'm a freelancer. Design can be hard to define because it ranges from graphic to interior to digital to environmental and the list goes on.

My focus is on event design, stationery, and styling.

Living in the Midwest has led me to create commercially for the furniture industry, apparel companies, and wedding planners. My personal interests have guided me to skill sets like handlettering, watercolor, and organic forms. All graphics, illustrations, and curation you see here on Brave Girl are created by me unless stated otherwise.

A day in the life of a freelance designer with Joon+Co sustainable fashion | Brave Girl Design + Blog | photo by Sincerely Ashley

What is a typical day like for you?

It starts with a morning walk with my pup. Then coffee as I write out my daily plan and sketch the latest flow of ideas. Commissioned art prints, a client design project or writing is at the heart of my day. I like the days when a coffee date or shop visit sneaks in unplanned. A walk or workout, dinner, tea, and a book or show unwinds me from the day. This typical day is balanced with days full of chaos, late work nights, and playing catch up to my list of errands I've avoided until I can no longer.

What are the main responsibilities of your job?

The responsibilities are broad as a freelance designer. Not only the creative design work for clients but also invoicing, quarterly goals, and always checking in with my business plan that I'm in alignment with my purpose and my planner.

What do you like most about your work?

Creating work that speaks to my heart. Whether it's lettering a design to save the great lakes, illustrating a shirt to share a Vietnam Veteran's heart-wrenching story, or creating print materials for a boho Full Moon wedding. When I feel my craft is aligned with my heart I'm reenergized.

How did you become interested in this field?

I discovered design as a high school sophomore. I went to the career center and learned about design programs, photography, and printmaking. These techniques were similar to what I did growing up scrapbooking, crafting, sketching, and doodling letters. It showed me I could make a career out of what I enjoy & I was all in.

How did you begin your career and what do you wish you'd known in the beginning?

I began freelancing as a junior in college with logo & branding projects for local businesses and old friends. Then I worked at a design studio in West Michigan after graduating creating identity systems and marketing materials for the furniture industry.

I found college is a place to learn design "rules" and post-college you need to find how design works for you. I'm a rule-follower and it can hinder me creatively. Creativity to me is boundless by nature and rules can be stifling. I now try to balance what I learned with following my creative intuition.

What do you feel is the future of graphic design?

Graphic design will continue to evolve like it always has based on culture, economy, and society. Many say print is dying and graphic design is becoming fully digital but I disagree. Print is becoming more tactile and tangible and digital is becoming more human with UX/UI roles (user experience and user interface). There will always be a place for custom, thoughtful, and intuitive design work.

What advice or insight do you have for a student who is considering a career in graphic design?

You have to first and foremost love it. Creativity is heart work, meaning it is hard work, meaning it is work that can change the world. You have to be ok starting out with a modest salary and working hard to grow from there. You also have to be a great communicator or learn how you communicate best. When you make good, & many, connections you'll be the first designer someone thinks of when they have a design project and that is always good for your business.

Wardrobe c/o Joon + Co. Shop their Spring collection.
Photos by Sincerely Ashley

Creative Business Chats foster conversation and community amongst creatives seeking tips for getting started. Includes behind the scenes of freelance/business ownership. See all chats here.