What's it like to be a pro?

Hi Landon,

I'm a freelance illustrator/designer, currently working for both local and international. Even though I'm not a professional artist, I would like to share my idea for your question, based on my experience.

Being hired and work for any company - like you said Marvel or DC Comics etc - gives you steady income, promising disciplinary (because you will learn a lot by working there and work in group too) and maybe other benefits. A recognition by people can be one of it (the fact that you are working at certain 'famous' company). But in this case, you might be pushed by your employers to work on something you are not in a comfort zone (One of cases is that employers may ask you to work on something not based on Christianity). Other bad possible event is that you might have to overwork and underpaid (It seems that's what happens in design and illustration industry...:p)

Working as a freelancer is the risk from the beginning because you do not get steady income - depends on a 'peak time' that clients looking for someone to hire and work - and you are not 'exposed' to be noticed by them from the beginning. Once you get exposed and people like your skills and visual style, you may even earn a way more than general employees per month. Of course you have a freedom to choose works and this may help you stay in comfort zone, or the other way around (you can choose to be out of comfort zone and discipline yourself and your skills). One of good things being a freelancer is that you can keep your 'value/moral'.

Other good thing is that you learn a lot: for me, I've learned how to deal with international clients, their cultures and beliefs, the law, publishing, improve my visual styles and skills, time management and how to balance working time and relaxing time. But one most important and really good thing here, being as a freelancer, is that you can see the God is the one who is your employee, CEO, marketing manager and client at the same time.

When there was the design student exhibition in my 4th year, few good design companies checked me out and contacted me, to see if I'm interested to work for them. In fact, I wanted to be a freelance illustrator/designer since my 3rd year. I did pray for this matter...but God didn't give me any sign to work at the company (or maybe I was insensitive to catch His sign). So I refused their proposals. While my colleagues got hired and enjoying their first year of job, I had nothing to do but staying at home for few months (I used this time to not only spend with God but also 'exposing' myself via internet and social network). What I want to tell you here is that I had - and still have - faith and hope that God's going to bless me whatever I choose. Yes he will bless us whatever we choose to do but I wanted to choose what God want me to go and it was being a freelancer.

Since I gave everything, include job opportunity, to God's hand and relax, He started to bring clients that I was not even looked for (you know they said if you chase money, it goes away. But if you're cool with it, it comes to you)! I say another - again - one of good things being a freelancer is that you also get an adventure of faith! Hehe :D I'm currently working with few good commissions and am looking for another commissions that God is prepared ahead.

I still got a long way to go being a 'professional' freelancer. The answer I wrote here may be differ to other freelancers and professional artsits... or maybe they have more advice for you! Hope this help you to grasp an idea about being a freelancer.

Have a good day.

Regards,

Youmin Park

Replies

Steve Crespo May 17, 2013 at 9:06am

Write or be a dead monkey.

Buzz Dixon said:

Stephen King On Why You Write
Youmin Park May 17, 2013 at 12:50am

Hi Landon,

I'm a freelance illustrator/designer, currently working for both local and international. Even though I'm not a professional artist, I would like to share my idea for your question, based on my experience.

Being hired and work for any company - like you said Marvel or DC Comics etc - gives you steady income, promising disciplinary (because you will learn a lot by working there and work in group too) and maybe other benefits. A recognition by people can be one of it (the fact that you are working at certain 'famous' company). But in this case, you might be pushed by your employers to work on something you are not in a comfort zone (One of cases is that employers may ask you to work on something not based on Christianity). Other bad possible event is that you might have to overwork and underpaid (It seems that's what happens in design and illustration industry...:p)

Working as a freelancer is the risk from the beginning because you do not get steady income - depends on a 'peak time' that clients looking for someone to hire and work - and you are not 'exposed' to be noticed by them from the beginning. Once you get exposed and people like your skills and visual style, you may even earn a way more than general employees per month. Of course you have a freedom to choose works and this may help you stay in comfort zone, or the other way around (you can choose to be out of comfort zone and discipline yourself and your skills). One of good things being a freelancer is that you can keep your 'value/moral'.

Other good thing is that you learn a lot: for me, I've learned how to deal with international clients, their cultures and beliefs, the law, publishing, improve my visual styles and skills, time management and how to balance working time and relaxing time. But one most important and really good thing here, being as a freelancer, is that you can see the God is the one who is your employee, CEO, marketing manager and client at the same time.

When there was the design student exhibition in my 4th year, few good design companies checked me out and contacted me, to see if I'm interested to work for them. In fact, I wanted to be a freelance illustrator/designer since my 3rd year. I did pray for this matter...but God didn't give me any sign to work at the company (or maybe I was insensitive to catch His sign). So I refused their proposals. While my colleagues got hired and enjoying their first year of job, I had nothing to do but staying at home for few months (I used this time to not only spend with God but also 'exposing' myself via internet and social network). What I want to tell you here is that I had - and still have - faith and hope that God's going to bless me whatever I choose. Yes he will bless us whatever we choose to do but I wanted to choose what God want me to go and it was being a freelancer.

Since I gave everything, include job opportunity, to God's hand and relax, He started to bring clients that I was not even looked for (you know they said if you chase money, it goes away. But if you're cool with it, it comes to you)! I say another - again - one of good things being a freelancer is that you also get an adventure of faith! Hehe :D I'm currently working with few good commissions and am looking for another commissions that God is prepared ahead.

I still got a long way to go being a 'professional' freelancer. The answer I wrote here may be differ to other freelancers and professional artsits... or maybe they have more advice for you! Hope this help you to grasp an idea about being a freelancer.

Have a good day.

Regards,

Youmin Park

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