Insight into what to expect from moving from a permanent position into freelance work.

1. What is it like going from a permanent job to freelancing?
At first it was a bit daunting trying to figure out how to find clients and just wondering if you will have steady work and pay each week. But I found after a few weeks putting together a online folio and sending a few emails through friends and contacts you start to get a steady stream of clients. Its great in that you can work to hours that suit you but can also be a challenge as you only have yourself to motivate you to work, especially if your working from home. Plus you have time for ideas or projects you may have wanted to always do but couldn't get around too because of having a full time job (in my case starting my own label and having more time to do art and illustrations).

2. What impact has this change had on you?
So far everything has been amazingly positive for me. I get to work hours that suit me more, I've learnt how to deal directly with clients and get a whole range of different projects which means I am constantly improving my skills across all areas of design. I've also become a lot more assertive and confident in my abilities as a designer.

3. Freelancing involves changing environments often, how do you manage that?
Personally I love dealing with different environments and projects. It means you don't get bored of doing the same thing week after week and you are constantly learning new things and meeting new people that can inspire you and expand your knowledge of design.

4. Different studios have different cultures, do you change your behaviour and adapt or just be yourself?
I think one of the great thing about freelancing is that if you really don't feel you are comfortable in a job or the surroundings, you can move on from it and work with clients where you can be more of yourself. I'm sure everyone slightly changes their behavior to adapt to their surroundings or work environment, but in design where it is your creativity that is needed the most I believe its best to be yourself and work with people who respect that.

5. Do you have any advice you would give to other people who are just starting freelancing or thinking about it?
If you love to have constant challenges and changes to your work, meeting new people and working your own hours I would say freelancing is for you. Be confident in your abilities and keep at it even if it seems tough the first few months. Make as many contacts as you can and keep in touch with past clients as many will have more future work if they are happy with you as well as passing on your info to others. Also, I think its really important to have an online portfolio or some place where prospective clients can view previous work you have done.

6. What do you wish someone had told you before you began freelancing?
Pricing and dealing with clients. Being confident in setting prices for your work can be a challenge at the start, especially if your unsure what to charge per hour or per design. I had to do a lot of research in finding how to charge clients and setting up invoices. Don't undermine your work by charging to little or agreeing with every single thing the client says or asks you to do, try not to take criticism too personally as not every client will agree with you.

7. Are there any challenges freelancers faces that a full timer doesn’t?
Probably one of the main challenges could be having a steady amount of clients so you know that you will have a good income week to week, as when your working full time you know you get a paycheck once a fortnight but for a freelancer you may get so much one week and a different amount the next. Also setting your own work hours and staying committed. When you don't have a boss or workmates to motivate you it can sometimes become hard to really get into your work and stay focused. You have to have a strong work ethic.

8. Freelancing has its perks and benefits, what are the best things about being a freelancer?
Best thing about being a freelancer is working your own times, meeting new people in the industry and the amount of different projects you work on. Your not limited to work around the office or even the country you live in, you can get clients from all over the world. Some projects will be seen by a handful of people and others by thousands. There's great satisfaction when you complete a job you worked hard on and the client is over the moon about it.