[Pugsley]

ok got a question for you all?

Being only a second year student i've still got two years before i'm completely on my own. Just wondering what would be a better option. To go freelance straight away and try start my own design studio or to try get a job with an established company to gain some experience in business, working with clients etc.

Been nice to hear what you think. I have done some work on my own but usually was promised an hourly rate which never appeared or got paid when i wasn't expecting to. Or in the case of my brother, never getting paid at all. the bastard.

[gk]

What most people recommend is to get employed at some company and do your freelance work on the side. Then when you get enough freelance work do as you will.

[switch]

I completely agree with gk. I had a decent skill set coming out college, but there were things that I definitely didn't know. Client interactions, deadlines, and a chance to work with other designers to strengthen my capabilities all made me a better designer and taught me a lot about the business.

If you're comfortable diving into freelance straight out of school, by all means, go for it. Everyone has different strengths. Either way, it's a learning experience.

[sean_r]

Both, good comments, agree with both. I too have a long-term ambition to set up my own studio, but what I'm doing now is gaining experience at an established studio, which will give me a better footing when I decide to do so.

I can recommend a good book I read about this topic, called how to be a graphic designer without losing your soul by Adrian Shaughnessy, who ran the studio Intro.

[Rik]

agree with above.

it can be a challenge to get in, but a sizeable design or ad agency is a very good start to a career.

I'll not repeat whats said above - only add if your looking for work in Scotland - its a very small industry, everyone seems to know (or has heard of) everyone - It can be a right gossip network! Getting a job in an established agency gets you into the network for free... whether you like it or not!

After getting my break as a lowly Mac Operator big ad agency every other job, freelance work or business I have started has been off the back of the contacts I now have in the industry.

One other thing, this is a personal view so others may disagree.. don't go into an interview with a Creative Director saying you know it all and your expecting a salary of £Xxxxxx - it's surprising how many grads do that!

Be keen and confident - but remember your looking for your way in - the dream job can and will come later.

[emil]

Some useful reading here
» On the Side or All the Way?

Freelancing on the side kills your nights, weekends and basically any free time you may have. But it's a foot in a door.

[Andy]

how do you get freelance work? advertising over the net or what?

[emil]

Networking mostly. Knowing someone who knows someone...

[Rik]

personally i kind of worked my way in slowly - i used to work pre-press but wanted out - so i set up part-time freelance as pre-press operator - that covered food and rent (just about!)

and had the rest of the week to play yeeeee. i registered with all the employment agencies as a freelance graphic bod - which is a royal pain in the ass by the way.. took weeks! - but bared some fruit.

other than that it was friends of friends who know someone who was starting a business and wants a letterhead... that sort of thing.

[Rik]

one thing. don't think that being freelance easy! it's not. Nor are you really your own boss, every bugger that pays your bills is now your boss and they will be phoning you 9am on a Sunday morning to talk about their exciting project!

[hawken]

I get all my work from hanging out in bars, as I've written before

[Andy]

same as ya mam then?

[Dusteh]

I'm too scared to go freelance. I like the comfort of a monthly set wage to pay the bills, which then gives me the chance to do the kind of work I want to do for freelance, rather than anything I can get my hands on because I need the cash.

[lmclaney]

Well before you even think about going Freelance you got to weigh up the risks and think about if you can do it. Going Freelance you will have the risk of times with no work, no income, clients you cant handle etc. If you’re working for a design studio you probably won’t have to deal with any of that.

With doing freelance work as well as being a good designer you’re also going to have to have good project management skills, business skills and communication skills to succeed. You will have to sort out getting the clients, writing contracts, creating schedules, managing the project, managing the business, managing finances etc.

You should also consider that while your business is taking off you will have to have enough money to sustain your living costs etc whilst your income is low.

This industry is extremely saturated with freelances, design studio etc. Today everyone thinks they can be a designer and make it by themselves, if you think you can do it then good for you but a lot of people fail.

I’m in my second year of uni myself and in the same situation, I've been thinking about it for a while now. I've just managed to get myself an internship for a year which will look great on my CV and I'm on an great wage so I'll get some savings. Then once I graduate I'll try and work for a design studio, I wont go freelance until I've had years of experience.

[funkyprem]

i had 4 years in permie employment in two seperate jobs. the second was a client of the first company i worked for so kinda already had my work floating around the web offices so i foot in the door!

Now a contractor for 7 months so far.

a) best thing I ever did bar losing my virginity
b) i could never have done it if i hadn't picked up all of the skills i'd learn't in my two permie jobs. and that skill list is not limited to technical skills.

as mentioned earlier, client facing skills are essential. no one wants a monkey who will quitely sit in their pod/cubicle/desk all day tapping away and producing fantastic work if they don't feel confident in showing off the legend who created said fantastic work to their paying clients.

[funkyprem]

Originally Posted by lmclaney

I've just managed to get myself an internship for a year which will look great on my CV and I'm on an great wage so I'll get some savings.

Oh yeah, forgot to mention that. I only got my first job based on the portfolio i'd built up during my placement year at uni. personally for me this was vital.

although it was a shit wage for me and i pissed it all up the wall and then some on booze and scouse birds!

[hawken]

Originally Posted by Andy

same as ya mam then?

her websites are better than yours

[Andy]

i don't make websites.

what are her pixel people like?

[myscrit.net]

start you own design studio

[Larixk]

I'm currently in the same spot as you are. I'm in my third year of university and I still have probably around 3 years ahead of me.
I've decided to go freelance, mainly because I already had the clients (through networking (and networking doesn't mean doing sites for your mum's beauty parlor or your uncle's wedding photography)).
Right now I would like to get a more stable contract going on with a larger company frequently hiring freelance web designers, allowing me to work in a team more often. Having some peer pressure would probably improve my work and skills.

So what I'm saying is: If you have the clients go freelance but joining a company would still be a good choice.