I’m probably a little crazy, but I’m trying to have it all and I’m sure I’m not alone. I have a full-time design position with salary, benefits and job security. However, in this current economic environment, you never know what’s going to happen, so I still maintain an active network of freelance clients just in case my day-job turns out not to be as secure as I thought. It can sometimes lead to an insane weekly schedule, but with a little prioritizing and self-discipline, working a day-job and a night-job can be very rewarding (if not a necessity) for a designer.

If you are working full-time, I think it’s a great idea to be involved in freelance design projects on the side. For some, your full-time job may be a corporate gig that provides the paycheck, but not the creative fulfillment you need to stay inspired. So, if you have a steady paycheck and you are not primarily working for the money, you can cherry-pick the freelance work that provides you with satisfaction and the opportunity to explore creative solutions that are “not allowed” at work.

The extra cash is always a good thing, especially with inflation heating up these days. Hourly rates for freelance work can be impressive, depending on the type of project and the client’s budget… and if you have to work two jobs, it’s better than waiting tables (I know that all too well).

Here are a few reasons why I recommend freelancing on the side:

1. Creative Freedom: You can be your own boss, at least on the project you are working on. Though each one is different, clients hire you for your individual creative style, so in most cases they want you to execute your unique style for them. Much of my freelance work is CD packaging (for my musician friends, their friends, etc), and novelist’s websites. These types of clients respect me as a designer and want to see what I come up with for a creative solution, so they let me go wherever I want. It’s very rewarding and can be a constant source for fresh portfolio pieces that communicate your true style.

2. Expanding Network: All my freelance jobs are acquired either directly from my website or from client referrals. You need to maintain your current network and keep it growing because it really is who you know in this business and how well you treat them. A satisfied client is the key to my next job because about 60% of my business is repeat work and most clients pass my name on to prospects as a trusted and reliable provider of design and illustration services. Freelancing is also a great way to build your reputation in a circle outside of your full-time job.

3. Extra Cash: I don’t carry credit card balances, so if I want something that is outside my budget, I take on more work and pay cash. Depending on the type of job, I either charge by the project or by the hour. That cash is sometimes the only motivation to keep going on a project when the client wants more and the night is dragging on… at least the meter is running.

4. Boston Winter Nights are Long, Cold and Dark: I love the outdoors, so, unless I get a project that is more play than work, I take the summers off from freelancing and do most of my work in the evenings from November to April. Designing at night is also a great way to pass the long winter season in a constructive and profitable manner.

The best way I have found to make this “working two jobs” arrangement feasible is managing my time well. Don’t overbook yourself. There are only so many hours in a day and you need to make sure you get enough sleep (so your daytime boss will keep you on the payroll). On average, I only work 2-4 hours a night, 3-4 nights a week, and make sure I get to bed by 11:00PM. I usually juggle a maximum of only three projects at a time with about 4-6 weeks duration each. I’m always booked anywhere from 1-3 months ahead and I’m not afraid to tell a prospective new client that is the case. Usually, they are willing to wait until I’m available. I keep weekends open for emergencies (thus, I work several weekends each month), but I always make time for my family (and myself), lest I short circuit and burn out. By the time April comes around, I’m usually fried so I’m ready to get out in the yard or back on my bike.

The challenge of this type of schedule is balancing the things you want to do with the things you have to and being able to discern the difference. The tasks of a graphic designer satisfy both of these demands because we can make money at what we enjoy doing, but it’s also harder for us to know when to take a break.

If anybody can figure that one out, please let me know.

This entry was posted on Monday, April 7th, 2008 at 12:11 pm and is filed under Design. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.