In this video I talk about the challenges facing many freelance web designers and offer advice on how to overcome those challenges.
11 CommentsLeave a Comment |
11 CommentsLeave a Comment |
Thanks for separating the challenges of freelance designers versus fulltime/contract designers. Also, thank you for refocusing us on the commodity aspects of the industry and how to rise above that. VERY INSPIRATIONAL. Your advise on how to rise above the commodity aspects and excel in the industry is invaluable and priceless; especially your emphasis on personal-branding. I am currently challenged with helping a family member who is an architect who has not embraced the personal-branding approach to marketing his skills and company. He has done the “We at this big company…” approach for so long that he is challenged with simply saying, “I am the company and here are my skills. Just look at my portfolio, see my work, contact me to discuss any questions or details.” You have advised us so many times over the years to (1) do good work, (2) showcase that good work, and (3) get ourselves out there in front of our work. In a changing world, economy, and marketplace, this is the way to go. It is a simple yet effective blueprint that you always highlight in your vlogs, bonus-videos, and tutorials. Keep it coming. I foresee more frequent videos from you because I see your passion for UI/UX design and helping others in the field. We really appreciate you Mike.
@Juan – Thanks man, good feedback. Yes, we all tend to fall in the “We at this company…” trap. Its hard to break out of that but once you do, its refreshing as you feel you don’t have to try to be something you’re not. When you pretend, its hard…but the truth comes easy with less stress. ;)
I’m not sure why the author of that article would say web is dead and UI/UX is in the rise…I mean isn’t UI/UX an integral part of web design, shouldn’t both be on the rise, I get that there are apps etc. but there is still a lot of web to go round. I’ve noticed an increase in web design jobs with small businesses alone. Maybe I missed something there.
Hopefully people will soon find out how much of a headache WordPress and other cheaper options can be. I have had one client come to me four times with problems relating to their WordPress site, I still can’t understand why they insist on using it. Maybe the ability to have more control without the need of a designer over rides that issue, but I think they will end up spending more money on it with problems.
I have to work a casual job while I drum up clients, but I love it when a customer’s ask me what I do outside the job. It’s a great chance to get yourself out there in maybe not the most conventional way, but you can sometimes meet some business owners and that’s where it will pay off, especially if they are a regular.
I’m not a big fan of the commodity play either, maybe if you have little experience and want to get a handle on things. But I would say as soon as you start getting really good feedback; it’s time to move on. Get your prices sorted and stick to them.
@Sam – Thanks for the feedback. Yes, I don’t get the part about “web design being dead” as its all the same thing really, just applying techniques in different areas.
I essentially gave up trying to compete in the freelance web design market. It is highly oversaturated with foreigners who will take jobs for way less so it is often extremely difficult to get anybody willing to pay you for what you are worth and the amount of time you would devote to a job.
That being said, after I watched this video, I went to an older one of your videos on how to apply for UI/UX design jobs. I was the person that would read the job requirements and get discouraged from applying, but I took your advice and just applied to all of them. Apparently my portfolio is decent enough to at least get calls back! I sit for 2-3 hours a day just applying to every job I see. I search all over the US for relocation jobs and remote jobs too. There are so many opportunities and I’m glad I was able to overcome the fear of reading the dreaded job requirements page and just apply!
And also a lot of people really love my version of your web development course of the Ram site. I changed up a lot of things you did in that course but I still used some of the same design ideas you used and just changed the theme to a Mustang site, rather than Ram.
Just wanted to say you are awesome and motivating. I have a few interviews I have coming up and I owe it to you!
Hey Mike, just wanna say a huge thanks to thou. Thy videos have literally improved my life. I’ve always loved UI/UX design but your videos motivate me to a whole new level. Your fondness for UI/UX design kinda rubs off onto me. Every time I feel a little down, I go through your website and watch previous videos and before you know, I’m back on track and designing webs, apps, magazines, logos etc. I LOVE IT! : ) Please don’t delete any of your videos! Have a good one, Peace.
@Derrick it is one think to be encouraged to apply for jobs where you are not an exact match but I fear your scatter gun approach to job hunting could, if you don’t get something soon, result in hiring managers/recruitment consultants viewing you as a stale resource who cannot get a fit. Like a house or a car that’s been advertised too many times you will be perceived as having something wrong with you even where there is not.
We’ve since launched our own WordPress SEARCH
ENGINE OPTIMIZATION plugin which replaces quite a few of those.
@Bikeman
My approach turned out quite well. I’ve landed a front end dev job in a huge city and I’m doing what I love, making great money. Obviously, I went way above and beyond in not just learning design, but also fully understanding SASS and Javascript, which are 2 huge assets companies now look for with all of these new hyprid dev/design jobs out there. On top of that I was learning Git, Apache, MySQL, PHP and whatnot, so I wasn’t just blindly swinging for the fences. The job I applied for required way more than what I had to offer in terms of experience, but I made up for it in good interviews, portfolio and displaying my passion for their position.
Their original job description required 5+ years of professional experience and a computer science degree, both of which I did not have. Those “years of experience” and “computer science degree” are what were turning me away from applying for jobs.
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