1. When did you realise you wanted to be a designer?

When I first started using photoshop back in highschool around 2009 I had this class called multimedia and it opened my eyes to the world of graphic design and also 3Ds max. I loved the whole ideas of designing and creating something from nothing. Transforming a blank page into something interesting. I would love seeing big movie titles and game design and those things inspired me when I was little.

2. How did you get started and what was the biggest hurdle you overcame?

I finished my bachelor of Design in 2015 but I started freelancing back around 2012/2013 on the side while studying. For me getting practical and working with clients helped me learn so much faster. The biggest hurdle I overcame was learning to have a process. When I first started I didn’t know how to do proper strategy/ discovery or present to clients but now I now how to do it smoothy.

3. What’s been your most successful way of getting clients?

For me, the best method of attracting clients is through content marketing. Creating content builds trust, authority and your personal brand all at once. I learned to teach what I know and I’ve stuck with that principle for a long time now. It has opened up so many doors to get new clients.

4. How do you get clients to stay with you and use you for more work?

I would ask for referrals or if they needed extra services, I was never pushy but just being genuine and helpful. You have to be proactive in the asking instead of just waiting around for an email so I realised the more you just as the more you receive. Each project I did my best to deliver good work so they would recommend me to their friends.

5. Do you ever have issues with clients paying late? How do you manage that?

For me I learnt fast that taking 50% upfront was the best method so I never really had issues only a few times. Bigger agencies took a while because payment cycles were monthly but small clients I take deposit or no work. I would then send invoices and reminders with my accounting software or just email when I was starting out to make sure that I get paid.

6. What does your typical work day look like?

Stretching my body, drinking water, walking outside for sunlight and making a coffee is my typical morning. I then go into content writing and researching in the morning. I answer any emails at around 11 then work until 1pm for lunch. I then work throughout the afternoon either on personal projects or client work. I make time for the gym late in the afternoon then wind down at night with some games or watching a movie with my wife.

7. Any piece of advice/wisdom that you’d like to give the readers at This Design Life?

Give you 100% and make sure you work on systems and processes in your design work but also in your freelance business. These thigs save time and headaches down the road so make time to work on your business.