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TheLeggett
Jan 23rd 2008
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Tekimagic Jan 24th 2008Good point, as Dave said, try hanging out and become familiar with local coffee jobs where many business people tend to go.. I worked in a cafe for a year, which is where i met half my clients I have helped, others were through word of mouth.
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agent2693 Jan 24th 2008I like these freelance tips, very helpful. Leggett, be sure and let me know what coffee shop you go to so I can avoid it. Don't want to tread on your turf. ;-)
My nack is more in the area of video, but since I've started playing with Photoshop, I'm falling in love. I'm a tech geek that travels into all areas of technology and design. I've been messing with hardware my whole life (only ever bought two computers in my 23 years, and one was a Mac). Within the past year, I've been dabbling in everything from HTML, Javascript, and PHP, to Motion 3 and DVD Studio Pro (I *adore* DVD production...it's such a perfect blend of all visual talents.) And pretty soon I'm gonna start messing with Dreamweaver/Flash. -
TheLeggett
Jan 24th 2008
I'm by no means a big client guy (if I came off sounding like one, that was unintended). I just frequent a local place called the Woodstock Coffee House (nothing fancy here, not a huge chain or anything like Starbucks). I think a lot of business folk tend to hit up starbucks since they're on every corner, but it's not much of a sit down place from my experience. Also, there are LOTS of other ways to find business... this is just one way where I have manged to pick up a few clients (that in turn help spread my name around). The internet has probably been my most successful area of finding new clients (although these folks are usually more tech savvy to begin with. They generally just outsource work to me). Again, like I said before, I don't work with a lot of clients, and there are probably lots of other ways to go about dealing with finding work.
As for working with video, that's quite a big field to be in, just like other forms of graphic design. I believe Michael Wilson (a member of our team) does some video production himself. I used to be into that sort of thing, but I eventually got tired of the rendering time =/ -
Tekimagic Jan 24th 2008 editedVideo freelance is a totally different market and harder field IMHO. Yo really have to have a business, great references, or amazing portfolio for that bid. I have done a few freelance commercials and helped edit some indy festival movies (the latter was more for experience and credit but still was interesting experience), but while is a great thing to know be best to work for a local video production team, the ones usually hired for party stuff. DVD Production is an interesting thing to learn, as one can easily get hired by a local production company if have great talent in that field.
ALso, after reading dave's comment, I think i too came off having huge clientel, I don't either. Dave has probably bigger client base then I, but been around freelancing and consultants my whole life so have had my exposure and such. Working in a starbucks is great way as you meet the people and help with "computer problems" without really pushing yourself too much. You can be pushing yourself onto a potential client which is a bad idea, also finding a job at local company is good as when you "help out" they will spread your name.
If you ever need help with any video stuff (especially as I learnt and mastered Final Cut Pro Version 1 when it first came out around 2000) I can give tips. -
SaintJimmy
Jan 24th 2008 edited
I'm only 16, and I've got a couple little jobs for or for people through friends and family designing logos or websites. It's pretty nice, and it's great experience, especially since I'm thinking about going into some sort of Graphic Design as a career.
I'm also starting to get into some film stuff. Our TV/Communications Tech Program at my school is pretty big, and i'm highly involved with that and getting pretty good. (We use final cut as well) I plan on getting into some little jobs with that when I get a better computer. I've only got a crappy dell so until i get a Mac i'm not getting involved with that yet. -
Koston Jan 26th 2008 editedIts unfortunate these forums aren't a little more active, hopefully that will change once they go public but..
I'm all self-taught, but I do a lot of web design and recently getting into print/graphic design. Also recently getting into photography just got a new canon rebel xti.
As David was saying, the internet is definitely a breeding ground for clients..its endless. He mentioned SitePoint, which is a decent place to find clients, also DigitalPoint for more low end/beginner work, but from my experiences the 2 ways that have worked the best for me are 1. craigslist, updated daily, good way to create relationships with local companies looking for sites so they can spread the word about you to others. The second is just going out, socializing, honestly everywhere cause the infamous convo starter always comes up, "what do you do for a living." And it's honestly anywhere, at a bar, coffee shop, cafe.
http://koston101.deviantart.com , just recently started updating it again, feel free to add me though~ -
MikeWilson
Feb 23rd 2008
Oh god, I love everything, I'm in school right now, but I have my Diploma with 3D and working on another for Digital Media, and might expand that to a degree eventually. I think my major will be website interactivity and useability with Flash, AJAX, Ruby, etc.. I also delve into Design and Photography. -
Storm
Feb 25th 2008
Web design mainly, some minor web development too when I need it. I'd like to learn more programming type stuff but I really don't have the patience for most of it.. so mostly design, a lot of CSS too. :) -
JAZCASH
Mar 8th 2008
I've just turned 15 and I've been into graphics since I was about 13. I've used Fireworks most of that time but now I'm trying to get into Photoshop seeing as thats where all the business is at. I'm also working on some 3D stuff and hopefully I'll be able to get a job in games design when I'm older.
Other than that, I'm addicted to a online PC game known as TA Spring. I spend most of my time on it and sadly it seems to have taken over my life and is preventing me from doing anything creative :'(
I'd advise you check it out but if you're anything like me you'll become addicted and it'll ruin your life. Sad, I know.
If you're still having trouble finding jobs, you might want to take a look into a design course that could get you certified in some specialized area... or if that's not the problem, consider lowering your prices until you have some stuff under your belt.
As for me, my "nack" is probably that of Project Manager, or perhaps a Photoshop guy. I like to build my own projects (web development related), and then monetize those projects for a living. I've turned down quite a few potential clients to spend more time working on my own stuff.