Russell Hooton-Fox’s Post

Don't let the herd mentality stifle your creativity! 🎨🙅♂️ Discover the perils of conformity and the power of authenticity in your creative journey. As a freelancer, graphic designer, or creative professional, it's easy to feel the pressure to follow the latest trends and blend in with the crowd. However, conformity comes with significant long-term costs that can hinder your growth and limit your success. In my latest post, I explore the pitfalls of creative conformity, the illusion of the "proven formula," and the price of compromising your vision. I also delve into the strength of authenticity, the importance of standing out in a crowded market, and the rewards of forging your own path. By embracing your unique voice, taking calculated risks, and nurturing your creative identity, you can attract aligned clients, create impactful work, and leave a lasting mark on your industry. Ready to break free from the herd and unleash your true creative potential? Read the full post below: #Creativity #Authenticity #GraphicDesign #Freelancing #BeUnique

HOW DO YOU MANAGE MULTIPLE TASKS AS A FREELANCER... As a graphics designer or any Freelancer at all effective handling of multiple tasks is very essential, these are how you can handle multiple tasks; 1. Communicate Clearly with Clients: - Manage client expectations: Plan time wisely and as much as possible inform any likely hitches ahead of time. - Frequent updates: Make sure you give an update on the project at important intervals. Templates should be employed when preparing progress reports so that more time is not taken. 2. Stay Focused and Avoid Multitasking:Stay Focused and Avoid Multitasking: - Schedule one job for the other at a particular time of the day so that the individual doing the work does not switch from one job to the other since it will reduce efficiency. - Always ensure that you take a break between projects to allow for the automation of your brain thus avoiding being burnt out. 3. Time Tracking for Better Management:Time Tracking for Better Management: - Employ the use of apps such as Toggl or Clockify in determining how much time you spend on each of the projects assigned. This means that more time will be saved and you are sure that you have been working within the set time line. 4. Limit Distractions: - Silence the notifications that are not relevant to workflow, and choose a quiet area to work in in order to be as productive as possible during your workflow. 5. Set Client Boundaries: - Put a number of revisions on a work, explaining about the office hour or time one is available for consultation and meeting, and setting the particular time when the client is expected to give feedback lest a work is delayed by asked to be changed again. 6. Evaluate and Adjust Your Workflow Regularly: - Take time, perhaps on a weekly basis review the way you manage your projects and search for areas of improvement. Be aware of which of these projects consume most of the time and then adapt. 7. Calendar blocking: Make use of Google calendar or other related applications to assign specific time slots for the individual projects. PS: Meeting me for the first time? I am Kenechukwu Chukwubuike, I am a Graphics Designer, Video Editor and Animator... I help business grow by multiplying their sales using Stunning Visuals.

Hello, hello, hello. Let me introduce myself to those of you who don't know me very well. I'm Lindsay, your friendly freelance writer and designer from Lancashire. I recently had a brand photoshoot, and there's something about making you look as if you should be in a Next catalogue that boosts your confidence somewhat. It is with this fresh boost I come to you today, so without further ado let me use this energy to tell you what I do. Writing 📝 Resources Specifically aimed at children, youth people and those who look after them. From scavenger hunts to full holiday clubs, I can write engaging, fun resources brimmed full of creative ideas that meet your themes and topics. 📝Blogs and Articles If you'd like more content on your site I'm a great person for you. Fully researched pieces, SEO friendly and no AI in sight. Topics I can write on; creativity, parenting, faith, environment, games, reviews, how to guides, to name but a few. 📝Creative Writing Story telling is at the heart of what I do, so whether you're wanting something short, long or even a fun script, make sure you get in touch and see if we can work together. Design 🖌️ Illustrations and Imagery You cannot really stop me from drawing, I don't know if you've noticed! Whether it's images for your social media, or pulling together fun documents, I can create great pieces for print, TV and digital. 🖌️Branding New to my site as a package, I've been taking on lots of branding projects over the past 18 months and I am now offering it as a full package. 🖌️Event Stationary Invites, flyers, banners and more, get in touch to find out how I can produce the perfect imagery for your special event. Like what you've read? intrigued to find out more? Visit my website www.lwcreative.co.uk and get in touch. I love a good brew whilst we get to know each other. Also, how good is my jacket? Embroidered by the incredible Alison Coles

A new way to showcase my work Recently I got asked why I am working on a new portfolio website.  I got asked if I am closing UNDESIGNED as my design practice. Let’s travel back in time. One year ago. December 2023. Davide Perozzi just informed me that he wanted to leave the studio. We split forces. We canceled our office. We went back freelance again. From now on UNDESIGNED was my freelance practice. My personal portfolio was dated, so I used the UNDESIGNED website as my main showcase of work. That led to a few problems. → The content didn’t match the new positioning.  → As I became part of different projects and also worked with other agencies as an external contractor I couldn’t share all my work there.  → The creative services I offer my clients range from branding, strategy, design, photography, type design, marketing, … It was hard to express that as a „studio“ without destroying the positioning I wanted a place to showcase my creativity. To showcase the work I am doing.  To express myself and don’t be locked in a specific direction. To grow my personal brand. The more I thought about it, the more I liked the idea to focus on my personal brand and use that as my main portfolio instead of a studio website. In every project I get the feedback that it’s different to work with me.  I truly care. I treat every project like it’s my own company.  I am not just a service provider or other agency. I am part of the project. I needed  a space to reflect that.  a space for all my collaborations a space for all my different services a space to showcase my different projects a space to express my personality a space for creative expression I am excited. Are you? ↳ Personal brand vs. Company. What do you prefer?

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These 5 YouTube channels have been my guiding light on this exciting journey! Whether you're just starting out or looking to level up your skills, these creators have you covered: The Futur: The Futur has been invaluable in teaching me essential skills like pricing my services, client communication, and building a sustainable freelance career. - https://lnkd.in/dvSrD8DZ Ayushman Pandita: Ayushman Pandita's practical tips and tutorials have helped me master design software and understand design principles better. - https://lnkd.in/dVKKJpJ8 Satori Graphics: Tom Cargill's Satori Graphics has been my go-to resource for logo design, branding, and typography tips. - https://lnkd.in/d2u_6RRG GFX Mentor: Shahzaib Hussain's GFX Mentor has been instrumental in improving my skills with tutorials on Photoshop, Illustrator, and more. - https://lnkd.in/didx2kiU CharliMarieTV: Charli Prangley's CharliMarieTV has provided me with invaluable design advice and career insights, from portfolio tips to freelance strategies. - https://lnkd.in/dqrxem-Q These channels have helped me kickstart my freelance career since 2018 and achieve my goals. So, grab your notebook, hit subscribe, and let's take our freelance journey to the next level together!💪 Which YouTube channels have been instrumental in your freelancing journey?  Share your favorites in the comments below!💬 #GraphicDesign #Freelancing #YouTubeLearning #CareerDevelopment #DesignCommunity #FreelanceLife

A simple design attracts people by focusing on clarity and ease of use. Clean layouts, minimal text, and intuitive navigation make content easily digestible. Bold headlines and well-placed visuals draw attention, while white space reduces clutter, creating a sense of calm and professionalism that invites engagement and trust. #Design #Graphic #GraphicDesign #Tshirt #Tshirtdesign #Creativity #Freelace #Freelancer

After almost three years of being a freelance creative, I finally have a website💻 Thanks to my bestie Canva❤️ I am in no way a website designer, so this was a very interesting experience for me. The main thing I wanted was a website that represents me as a person, and I think I did just that. Q1 could not have ended any better.✨ Feel free to check out my website and let me know what you think: https://lnkd.in/egiYP_me #socialmediamarketing #contentcreation #contentcreator

The client that made me question my freelance path ! Hey folks this is day 22 of the 30 day series of me documenting my learnings in my freelance designing journey as a first year college student. This happened to me around those days when I was providing services for free in order to enhance my portfolio. I remember cold approaching this client via email and I was happy to close this client as those were my initial days . But who knew this client would suck so much of my blood ! They were looking for logo design for their brand . I can't disclose any information regarding that client or their brand as I don't want to face any kind of issue now. In the first meeting itself , I got a feeling that they don't know what they're looking for. It was as if they just knew that they need a logo for their company, but not sure what kind of logo they need . Context : for this project I was working with 3 people . And that's what made it worse. Each person had a different opinion and hence different wants. They didn't give me a collective opinion . There were certain times where demands of one contradicted others. And since all of them were not present all the time , miscommunication was bound to happen. One wanted the design to be minimalistic while the other wanted a bold and colourful one. And even if I tried to incorporate all the qualities they wanted , it was just not possible to make the logo adaptable - which is something every logo should be . This project took more than 3 weeks to complete and more than 4 iterations. Yeah , I made me change the logo 4 times - all of that just for free ! But that's okay , this project did bring some valuable lessons for me as well. As a freelance designer , I realise it's my duty to teach my client about a designer's perspective . This made me realise how important proper communication is for the success of any project. Anyways, I just hope they're satisfied by the final draft . And I also hope I never face these kinds of prospects again ! Peace. #freelance #logo

[braces for impact] I need to hire a little freelance help. I'm looking for someone who can provide some (probably junior-level) support work behind the scenes in Canva. (Yes, I realize there are fancier tools — and I'm also still going to keep using Canva.) Projects would include social media graphics, slide decks, charts, proposal documents, and so on. I need help with these items both for my own business and to assist my clients, so there could be plenty of opportunity to scale if it feels like a fit. Please please please have some marketing chops. This includes a foundational understanding of graphic design best practices, ability to follow a brief, commitment to deadlines, and so on. I beg of you to not fill out the form if you're not skilled in this area... (That being said, I don't care if you're a newbie designer trying to get more experience or a fellow marketing expert focused on a different area who just needs more work and has a strong eye. I'm more concerned about your skill than your background.) Please submit samples to this form and this form only (I will ignore and mute all DMs about this): https://lnkd.in/gczmr6UY I will reply to every form submission, even if it's a no — but please be patient, as I'm already anticipating having to wade through a flood of submissions. Thank you. 😊