Running a Freelance Graphic Design Business as a 27 year old.

Summary

In this video, a freelance designer walks viewers through an exciting day of working on a new branding project. From creating logo designs to preparing a visual identity presentation, the designer shares insights into the creative process, client interaction, and challenges faced in the freelance world. They discuss their approach to design, including sketching ideas, refining visual elements, and working with clients to ensure satisfaction. The video also highlights tools, templates, and strategies that help streamline the design process and enhance workflow efficiency.

Takeaways

• 😀 Exciting day for the designer: A new project has been assigned, and the project brief has been signed off.
• 😀 As a freelance designer, the actual design work often takes up only a small portion of the month, with most time spent on admin, calls, and marketing.
• 😀 The designer is preparing for a visual identity presentation, reviewing and fine-tuning the document before presenting it to the client.
• 😀 The designer uses resources like the 'Type Matters' book to ensure proper terminology and design accuracy when working with typography.
• 😀 The visual identity presentation includes various elements like logo breakdowns, typography, color palette, and examples of branding in action (e.g., business cards, social media).
• 😀 The project is for an architectural and urban design company seeking a brand refresh, with a prominent letter 'H' to be included in the logo.
• 😀 The designer is using a mind-mapping approach to generate logo ideas based on a list of visual keywords and brand attributes provided in the brief.
• 😀 Sketching is an essential part of the process, where the designer explores different concepts before settling on the final design.
• 😀 After completing the logo design, the designer quickly creates brand guidelines using a pre-made template, significantly speeding up the process.
• 😀 The designer expresses gratitude for the positive feedback from the client and highlights the importance of going above and beyond for client satisfaction in freelance work.

Q & A

What is the designer excited about in the beginning of the transcript?

The designer is excited about starting a new project and working on logo designs after the project brief has been signed off. This marks the beginning of their design work for a new client.

How much time does the designer spend actually doing design work in a month?

The designer mentions that, as a freelance brand designer and logo designer, they typically spend around two to three days each month actually working on design tasks, with the rest of the time being dedicated to admin, content marketing, calls, and presentations.

What is the purpose of the book 'Type Matters' that the designer refers to?

The designer uses the book 'Type Matters' by Jim Williams to look up specific typographic terms, such as the name for little flicks in letters, which are essential when preparing presentations or discussing type details in design work.

What does the visual identity presentation include?

The visual identity presentation includes an introduction to the brand, its mission, vision, and purpose, as well as an analysis of competitor identities. It also covers logo design options, color palettes, typography choices, and how these elements are applied to various brand materials such as social media graphics, business cards, clothing mockups, and a website.

How does the designer feel about the feedback from their client?

The designer is pleased with the client's feedback, stating that the logo design has been signed off, and the rest of the visual identity package is now ready to be delivered. They are excited about the success of the project and the client's satisfaction.

What specific brand is the designer working on, and what is its focus?

The designer is working on a brand for an architecture and urban design company that focuses on land planning and housing. This brand refresh does not include a brand strategy but follows a more straightforward approach based on the client's needs.

What is the process the designer follows when starting the logo design?

The designer begins the logo design process by jotting down keywords and mind mapping to brainstorm ideas. This helps to generate a foundation for formulating potential logo concepts.

What tools does the designer use to sketch and brainstorm logo ideas?

The designer uses a Rhodia DOT pad, which is a type of dotted paper, for brainstorming and sketching ideas. This tool is preferred because it allows for flexible and organized sketches, and the pad is also a binder, making it easy to flip through.

What has the designer done to improve their workflow with brand guidelines?

The designer has created a brand guidelines template that significantly speeds up the process of creating brand guidelines. Instead of starting from scratch, they now drag and drop elements into the template, making adjustments as necessary for each brand.

What is the designer's approach to customer satisfaction and client work?

The designer is focused on going above and beyond for clients, ensuring that they are fully satisfied with the work and that the final product aligns with their vision. They strive to leave clients feeling in control and confident about their branding.