A Graphic Design Student's Guide to Freelance: Practice Makes Perfect

Chapter 9

Epilogue

Looking Back on Your Experience

I hope you enjoyed your experiences freelancing and learning about the graphic design profession outside the classroom. Undoubtedly, some of the lessons were hard, but sometimes tough lessons are the most important lessons to have learned. Like snowflakes, no two designer's experiences will be identical. As long as you managed to cross the finish line and achieve your goals it doesn't really matter which path you took to get there. The obstacles that you faced and overcame have become a catalyst for your growth as a designer.

I hope you took advantage of the opportunities that were given to you and that you received some good advice along the way. Starting a career is an exciting process, and making a living from being a creative person is quite an accomplishment. Remember how nervous you were when you worked with your very first client? It probably seems like a lifetime ago since that first client meeting. You've come far in a few short years and hopefully will continue to grow as you identify your future goals and work to realize them.

Looking back on your experiences freelancing, I hope you can see how working with clients has helped round out your educational experience, given you a means of earning money, helped you learn to balance creativity and commerce, enhanced your portfolio, taught you how to recover after failing, and provided you with the thrill of owning your own business!

You will probably continue to work with ...