Apr 15
Why I love working with two
2009 at 04.18 pm posted by Veerle Pieters
One year after I graduated, I decided to go freelancing. This was something a friend and I decided to do if we didn’t find a fulltime job before the end of June of that same year, back in 1992. We got to know each other at the ad agency where I did an internship for about a month. This was a few years before I met Geert...
How I started freelancing
Somehow I knew I would end up with 2 if I would take the big step. If it wasn't for her, I'm not sure I would have started freelancing so soon. A few years later the government made it attractive for companies to hire young people fresh out of school, but in the days that I was looking for a job there wasn't anything yet. So it wasn't easy to find a job. Every time I heard the same thing over and over: your designs skills are great, but we're looking for someone with a bit more experience. It frustrated me because I wanted to answer "just give me a chance". Mentioning I had Mac experience didn't do the trick either, after all, Desktop Publishing was still very new. The 'lacking experience' factor was an extra motivation for me to consider going freelance, but if I look back now it would have been smarter if I was a bit more patient instead of giving myself a deadline.
Around mid June 1992 it seems I would have a job in small print shop in Bruges. I was so happy, but then it suddenly didn't go through after all and so I decided to take the leap. Once I've gone through all the red-tape, registering VAT number and de-likes, which took a few weeks, that same company called me back to ask if I was still interested in a job. It was too late and my mind was already made up... Who knows how things would have gone if I didn't give myself a deadline and took this job.
My Duoh! babysteps on a very bumpy road
I started freelancing in August 1992 under the name of Duoh!. For a while it was nice working together. It felt like we were a very strong team because our design styles and skills differed. I liked working on the Mac, she didn't hate it but she didn't really like it either. It felt more like something she 'had' to do. A lot of things we did together, like visiting clients for example. For a logo design we each did two designs. What I liked the most was that I knew we could count on each other's opinion and share different ideas when working on a project. The collaboration was great and it was fun.
Working solo for a year and a half
Even though the two of us were a good team for a while it seems things didn't work out for us. It was tough to get enough work for the two of us and at a certain point the fairplay between us was slipping away. Our paths went different ways. Guess I was just unexperienced, unprepared and most of all very naive to believe this would have worked.
I carried on with Duoh! by myself. The first few months were very hard and I really missed the way I was used, working with another person. I even start wondering if it shouldn't be better to look for a full-time job instead. One reason was because I didn't get enough work. The other reason was that I felt I wasn't made to go freelancing on my own. Not being able to bounce of your ideas with someone else felt like a gap.
During this tough period I got to know Geert. He was interested in my work from the very start I got to know him. This was a new world for him. He was fascinated by it and my process on the Mac. Every day after work he helped me by sharing his ideas and opinions. I was truly amazed by the advice and insight, coming from a totally different background as I do. His vision was so clear, his opinion pure and honest.
He told me I had potential and he gave me faith and hope again. One day he said to me "Get into your car. Take your work with you. Just present your services to companies". I was like "What? Just like that!?" and he said "Yes, just like that. People don't know you or your work". Having tried all other ways to no avail, this seemed like the only option left. The Internet wasn't around yet, so how else do you sell your services?
This was tough but I pulled through. On a given day I visited about 30 companies. Most visits were really short, basically just handing over my business card asking if I couldn't get an appointment. It worked. Two companies asked me if I could design a brochure for them and one thing lead to another.
Duoh! as we know it now
A bit later Geert gave up his full-time job to join me. My business was only starting to survive really so this was a very brave move. I know we would make a great team. The first 6 months Geert learned how to work with Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign etc. It took us a while to get used to the new situation and find our way to work together cohesively. I just started to design websites, something Geert suggested me to focus on right before he left his job. In 1997 we had about 3 international clients, 1 in Taiwan and 2 in the U.S.
We blend well together
This might sound a bit weird, but we 'blend' well together. I was thinking of this term while I designed our logo, as you can tell from the 2 overlapping heads. It expresses the way we work. Our functions aren't clearly defined. What we do is more like a mix of different things together. I love the variety of work we do and the way we work together. We both have our share in every project. We're bundling our qualities, which gives better end results, stronger designs.
Sometimes I'm just blind, and I don't see what is wrong with the design I'm working on. Then I show Geert and he immediately sees which parts need some work. That's a gift I don't think I have, at least not for my own work. Maybe it's just because I've been staring at it too long that I don't see it myself. I know it's not OK, but I just can't put my finger on it. Being able to rely on each other like that is something I can't miss anymore.
Seek help
The best advice to conclude this article is that if you are on your own like me back then, is that you seek help from a buddy on iChat, Twitter or that you join a service like behance.net to upload your work and seek out critique. It's the interaction in this what makes you a better designer.
33served
1
inspirational, and a nice story. i am thinking about taking the plunge soon enough. too many people outside of work want stuff done, and i just do not have the time to do it.
any advice on how to financially prepare yourself for freelancing? like, enough to survive for “x” months. obviously the more you can save the better, but in general.
2
I enjoyed reading this & having a companion can be a real big step forward, I agree.
But like U say.. U have to blend.
Thanx 4 the insight :)
3
A great story. I wrote something similar about how I got into Web Design over on my blog: http://prandall.com/2009/01/11/how-i-got-into-web-design/
I’m not sure I could have gone into freelancing just like that, but I can imagine the decision was made a lot easier by setting up with someone else at the same time.
4
That was really pleasant to read. It was very nice gaining an insight in to how it all really began for you. With you being one of my main influences, it’s quite refreshing.
5
Well, I agree on the underestimated value of “critic from someone”. It that perspective, it should be obligatory to work in group, just to get some feedback.
To cite you, there should be someone to “put the finger” on the weak spot.
Might be good literature as addition: Dear designer you suck. (don’t take it personal :p)
6
This story is inspiration for the mind :-)
I once started the same way, with a friend/collegue. Unfortunately I too was naive enough to think we wanted the same things and it didn’t work out. Unlike you I wasn’t tough enough to go through with it on my own, so I started to work for other companies again (fulltime jobs). Although I like my current job VERY much I keep wondering what it would have been like if I had a little bit more currage back then!
7
This was a wonderful and inspiring post. I left a solid career last summer and moved to a different state with my fiance and I have been job hunting since then. Since I do UX design and usability, we didn’t figure I would have trouble finding a job…we were wrong.
I toy with the idea of freelancing or starting my own biz on a daily basis but I really love what I do and find it difficult to decide how to charge or even approach potential clients. Did you have this problem when you were first starting out?
8
Awesome story, very inspirational and great advice :-) Thanks~
9
Veerle:
It’s so great to hear stories like this. I’ve been toying with the idea of starting a firm for quite some time now, but I always seem to be waiting for some missing element to be “right”, however undefined that might be!
I also worry about finding projects to handle more than one person, but perhaps it will always be a fear until I just do it. With freelancing solo, I feel like I can continue forever, but the jump to official paperwork and a business seems to take on an feeling of being overwhelming - if there are mistakes it isn’t just a project that goes bad, but a failed business. Perhaps setting a deadline to be brave and just go for it is a good idea, though, because I do want to have something small but brilliant like Geert and yourself!
Thanks for the article!
10
It’s always refreshing to see the learning curves other designers have to go through to get to where they are today. Can totally relate. Very inspirational, thank you.
11
I’ve always loved your blog and have been silently following your tutorials. I’m finally commenting though as this entry is very timely, as I am seriously considering a full-time freelance career. So THANK YOU. I am immensely inspired by your talent and passion for your craft.
12
What a great team the two of you make. Hmm I may know someone I should be teaming up as well. ;)
13
I’m glad you posted this story. I’m trying to get back into freelancing but it’s hard being married with 3 little kids. I had a partner but things didn’t work out because he felt like I didn’t have as much time as he did to put in the business.
14
Such great comments! Thank you all :)
Brandon said:
Yes definitely. What to charge is always difficult even after all these years of experience, it still remains a rather difficult thing, because every client and every project is different. I always try to imagine how many hours it would take me to accomplish the job and then I always put a limit on what is included in the price in terms of design proposals and revision work. The hourly rate is another difficult thing to define as it depends on how experienced you are and how talented and skilled you are.
Approaching potential clients is another story. I tried sending out brochures, and then give them a call, but this didn’t really work as I expected. So in the end I resorted to the direct approach by bringing them a visit. For me this took some effort and courage because this isn’t something I liked doing. Not always did I see friendly faces willing to listen to what I had to say. Most of the time I got the feeling I was wasting their time, but on some occasion they were interested and I was able to get an appointment which eventually lead to work and that was what kept me going. However, I believe that these days the Internet gives you the ultimate opportunity to share your services with the world. Make sure your website becomes your business card by showing your skills and talent to the world. Thanks to the Internet my business started to grow steadily. Don’t expect to have it happening overnight though. Dedication is very important. Keep an open mind and don’t be afraid to try out new things. Try building a good relationship with your clients. Value their opinion and they’ll value yours in return. Make sure they’re happy with your services.
BTW, this article of mine about ‘What I learned from starting my own business’ might be helpful as well.
15
Nice story!
I’m reading your blog for several years, but I never looked at your professional site and I didnt know, that you work in two… interesting information from age before Internet
16
Thanks for the advice Veerle!
Like other comments on here, I think one of my crippling factors is fear. I’m use to a salary and steady income so the thought of not having that is scary. I had your other post starred in my reader as well, so I will definitely take both to heart. Thanks again for the advice and excellent site.
17
Great read, and thanks for the link as well (behance.net) never been there before, fantastic site.
18
I’m actually in a similar situation you were when you graduated, and I took the other route you could have taken other than going to work for yourself. I assure you, you took the right route. I live in a small town in northern Louisiana, and I took a job at a local screen printer before I even started college. I’m still there because of a combination of fear and personal problems that occurred after I graduated. At the present time I cannot move away, and that makes it difficult to hold jobs other than third rate ones.
Despite what they might tell you working for a printer unless you’re the owner yourself isn’t an ideal job. The work I have to do is insulting and beneath me. I’ve been told by many it’s one of the worst jobs to have in this field (if you can call it that) as you’re repeatedly put down day by day. I was given advice by my professors to get out of it as soon as possible, but I didn’t believe them as my boss is my own brother; naturally they’re right about it all in the end, as year after year it gets worse. You’re like a short order cook at a run down diner. You don’t have the time to care about the quality of food anymore. You have impatient idiots out in the restaurant who all want their food immediately, and their idea of quality food is what decent human beings wouldn’t even feed their dogs. The only thing keeping me at the job I am at currently is that it does pay more than other jobs in the area, but the hours are long and the pay still isn’t good. Despite the low pay my brother’s business completely depends upon me as I’m the only one that can do what I do in the area. I’m not being immodest, but just telling the truth. We handle most of the printing in the area, and that means doing the artwork and printing for other companies third party. You’re not taught in college how to spot color separate a photograph and adjust each channel for dot gain based upon the differing densities of the inks involved—not to mention the way the fabric takes the ink. I had to teach myself, and if I were to leave his business would be devastated as there’d be no one here to replace me. Unfortunately (because I feel as if I’m not paid enough) and fortunately (because I can easily work toward doing something else) for me he doesn’t realize that.
I’ve sent applications out. My work experience is quite extensive as I’ve held design jobs before I even finished high school, but no one wants to hire a remote worker. Most of them didn’t even respond, and a few insulted me in their replies. Only one came close to a job, but like your first one it fell through. Mine was all because of one single person and his experiences with previous remote graphic artists. Like you I wish I was just given a chance. I’m unsure if I’ll get a phone call later on about it, but they still haven’t filled the position even 6 months after I sent in my application.
I’ve toyed around with freelancing for quite some time now, and I’ve gotten a couple of jobs without having an organized portfolio to show. I believe personally it’s time to take the plunge. It’s not scary to me to go for it because the alternative is well… yeah. I’ve just finally decided to work toward doing things freelance after being rejected too many times. I’ve been told that it could be a blessing in disguise, but who knows. It’ll probably be a bumpy road; it might take a bit to accomplish; but if it works out the benefits would outweigh the drawbacks. My father always told me that it’s a major headache going into business for yourself, but you’re the boss; you control your business and your life. That’s what’s most important.
19
Great story. I’m just getting started on Illustrator and your blog gives me so much inspiration.
20
Miss Pieters, best and most interesting read this week. Thanks für sharing!
21
To everyone here who is considering starting their own business: it is most certainly a long, hard, bumpy road. You will get knocked around, discouraged and scared throughout the journey, but it’s just that, a journey. You have to start somewhere and you need to take a chance. Even if you fail the first time (as many do) chalk it up to experience and try again. Running a successful business isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon. The pay-offs - professionally, financially and emotionally - are worth the effort.
22
Thanks for sharing your personal story. As a designer just starting out, I often worry about the “right” way to work. Your story reminds me that everyone has to find what works for them. Very inspiring!
23
To everyone here who is considering starting their own business: it is most certainly a long, hard, bumpy road. You will get knocked around, discouraged and scared throughout the journey, but it’s just that, a journey. You have to start somewhere and you need to take a chance. Even if you fail the first time (as many do) chalk it up to experience and try again. Running a successful business isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon. The pay-offs - professionally, financially and emotionally - are worth the effort.
24
This is really very inspiring! Thanks for sharing :)
25
Veerle,
Great article. As I continue to grow and develop in to a more mature designer I am steadily gaining more freelance work outside of my full-time job. Which I know will one day lead to me making the big step out on my own and freelancing full-time for a living. Right now though, I feel that working for this company has taught (and is teaching) me a lot about myself and my potential.
Some days are worse than others, meaning that some days I just want to walk out of the office and begin my new freelancing career. But making decisions based solely on emotion is never a good idea. There is still a lot of preparation to make, but I am getting there.
Thanks for taking the time to share your story.
26
Deep in this credit crunch, lots will be looking at freelancing.
Thanks for your story.
keith D
27
Great article! I started freelancing about three months ago. I’m a web designer and going solo was quite daunting at first. I used to work for an advertising firm, but simply got tired of being a slave to someone else’s vision. Building a business requires a certain type of personality with the following traits: courage, perseverance, discipline, and emotional fortitude, to start. I’ll also mention good management skills (with money, with time, and with people). I’m not good with all aspects, as I’ve learned so far, but the key here is to have a desire to improve upon these principles. And eventually I know I’ll get better. Being an entrepreneur is not for everyone, but it’s a journey that can’t be beat if done right.
@Veerle: how do you obtain clients from other countries? And what forms of marketing have you had success with?
thanks!
28
I like this story because it relates to so many of us starting out in this industry.
I graduated not so long ago and am still struggling to find my own niche. What has been my most frustrating obstacle is to prove my worth time and again only to be disappointed by a lack of budget or a lack of networking. Its hard to blossom when no one seems to want to give you the chance and so I’ve currently taken on freelancing just to stimulate myself to design.
What I’ve discovered is that making yourself your own brand and planning marketing projects around your work is quite fun! Not in a self involved kind of way, but a expressive and definitely exploratory feel. When you are your own client, you are also your own worst critic and your biggest fan.
Kudos to all freelancer!
29
Despite what they might tell you working for a printer unless you’re the owner yourself isn’t an ideal job. The work I have to do is insulting and beneath me. I’ve been told by many it’s one of the worst jobs to have in this field (if you can call it that) as you’re repeatedly put down day by day. I was given advice by my professors to get out of it as soon as possible, but I didn’t believe them as my boss is my own brother; naturally they’re right about it all in the end, as year after year it gets worse. You’re like a short order cook at a run down diner. You don’t have the time to care about the quality of food anymore. You have impatient idiots out in the restaurant who all want their food immediately, and their idea of quality food is what decent human beings wouldn’t even feed their dogs. The only thing keeping me at the job I am at currently is that it does pay more than other jobs in the area, but the hours are long and the pay still isn’t good. Despite the low pay my brother’s business completely depends upon me as I’m the only one that can do what I do in the area. I’m not being immodest, but just telling the truth. We handle most of the printing in the area, and that means doing the artwork and printing for other companies third party. You’re not taught in college how to spot color separate a photograph and adjust each channel for dot gain based upon the differing densities of the inks involved—not to mention the way the fabric takes the ink. I had to teach myself, and if I were to leave his business would be devastated as there’d be no one here to replace me. Unfortunately (because I feel as if I’m not paid enough) and fortunately (because I can easily work toward doing something else) for me he doesn’t realize that.
30
I’ve been freelancing on my own now for around 9 years, always working from home. I specialise in print and have yet to venture into the web so I asked a friend of mine if he would be interested in learning HTML & CSS so I could start offering web design, well he’s jumped at the chance and is learning fast. We’ve decided that any work he does he bills me for it so that we are seperate to begin with and both work from our own homes.
Do you share an office Veerle?
Now that I have a baby son I do feel that moving to an office would be best in the future and that my friend join me and we would then start trading under one name. I see this as at least a year down the line.
It’s a bit daunting taking on a sort of partner and very exiting at the same time, the idea of being able to bounce ideas back and forth would probably advance my design skills. I just want to make sure that there will be enough work coming in for the both of us.
31
Thanks for sharing your personal story. As a designer just starting out, I often worry about the “right” way to work.
32
Ah Veerle, the dreaded VAT man, as soon as you are registered an easy life ends. Ultimately, working for yourself involves more hours, more commitment and deidcation but the rewards are great, even if the money isn’t always! I had a boring IT career (oracle) and when I left to start my own company, it took me 3 years to make a penny but I have never looked back!
33
Making that first step to freelancing is always one filled with uncertainty and self-doubt.
Maintaining a positive attitude and working with like-minded people who KNOW what they’re doing and complement your skills will lead to your success. It takes awhile, but the rewards are limitless.
I went solo twice in my short career to date - they both didn’t really pan out. Do I regret it? Never - it just allowed me to concentrate on the right approaches, and how to focus on cutting out the wrong people to work with.
To all you out there doing it on your own, congratulations and stay committed and keep positive and patient. You will eventually learn how exhilirating and inspiring it is to be in control of your design destiny.
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