“WannaBee” a Graphic Artist? There is so much more to Graphic Design, than just making pretty pictures. Coming from the perspective of not just a Graphic Artist, but as a Senior Multimedia Creative Director that has freelanced for decades, it’s not what you think. The word entrepreneur gives us the feeling of freedom while in reality the stresses of getting your next paycheck to pay rent is something most can’t handle. When a customer has personal problems that stem into you not getting paid, like a death in their family or maybe their significant other got laid off. Let’s not forget the potential client that will string you along, waist hours of your life and never move forward, all talk but no action, … or even worse, when a client doesn’t deliver the content needed to do the job you are trying to complete, so you can pay your bills … well you get the idea. The struggle is real.
On a more positive note, there is nothing more rewarding than to design that killer brochure, or build a cool website, or produce a moving marketing video and see and hear your client’s reaction and the results that follow. It can be very rewarding.
My tips for wannabee graphic artist …
1. Live – Have money saved away or keep your full/part time job …
2. Love – Love what you do, it’s part of you, you were born to create …
3. Laugh – There is nothing more stimulating to the mind than laughter …
4. Learn – Seek knowledge, Looking both inward and outward …
That is if you live in a perfect world. The fact is, A SPARK, a home-based advertising agency, a freelance business was started, when layoffs hit and nobody was hiring. Out of the fire came a dream.
When I say that “Graphic Design is more than just making pretty pictures” I mean it. Writing, Grammar, Accounting, and many other skills are required to run a graphic design business. Be prepared to spend a lot of time to educate yourself, continuously! It pays off a the end.
CONTACT: A SPARK ADVERTISING & MARKETING – SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS
