Alex Russell questions and answers

Being Freelance

Q What would you say are the advantages of working freelance rather than working in a studio?

A I like being my own boss (although I'm a bit of a slave driver).  My ambitions have changed a little since i started (i used to do some fine art, plus illustration that wasn't fashion and textile related), but i like the variety of working for different clients, doing (say) contract furnishings one week and high street fashion the next.  I don't think you can be nearly as flexible in a studio setup.

Q Will i have to work hard if I'm freelance?

A Be prepared to work very hard, very hard.  Think run up a degree show, add an extra bit and imagine that the whole year round, especially when you first start.  You do need to be really self motivated, especially if things aren't selling.  This isn't meant to put you off; if you love doing it, it will be fine, but unless your very, very lucky, it is a lot of work. 

Q Is it important to hit deadlines and answer briefs?

A Being able to keep to deadlines and answer deadliness is completely important-if you produce something that is too late and isn't what the client wanted anyway, they are unlikely to use you again.  

Q What made you go freelance?

A I chose to go freelance because i thought it would give me more variety and challenges.  I like working in lots of different styles and really like being my own boss.  Doing this is definitely a vocation for me rather than just a Job, I'm very lucky.  I know what i want to do, i get to spend all day doing it, and people seem to want to pay me for doing it. 

Q What advise would you give to people getting started freelance?

A To a large degree, its not what you know but who you know.  this is a cliche, but is very true.  Your address book should be one of your most prized possessions and you should always be adding to it.  

Don't wait for people to  come to you, it vital you get your work seen.  Get out there, knock on doors.  Art and design is a worldwide business, don't be afraid of making contacts anywhere.  

Don't be scared, the worst that can happen is that someone can say no, if they do, be polite and ask them if there is anyone else they know that might be interested in what you do.  

Be patient, it can take months or even years for a client to get back to you.

  

Be prepared to work very hard.  

Never, ever be tempted to mess with copyright laws.  its a surprisingly small world and if you rip some people off, others won't touch you with a barge-pole.  

Be flexible, but not stupidly so.  You should try and say "yes, i can do that for you" to as many clients as possible (especially when you first set up), but you need to be realistic about what is physically possible.

Don't waste any time doing lots of research to find the best bank; they are all pretty much the same.  if ethical investment is important, go with a co-op.  You should have a business account, but if you trade in your own name and don't tell the bank, you can just make this a normal current account and not have to pay business account charges.  

Keep on top of your books (accounts), if you don't think you can do this, or if your just starting out, get a good accountant.

Self motivation is vital; you also need to be able to enjoy working under pressure and to have good time management skills.  Finally, if you enjoy doing the designs, it will show, don't forget to have fun.  

Q What's the biggest difference being a student and working freelance?

A The time factor, generally speaking, you have to work much, much faster than when your a student and you don't have the time to explore heaps of different ideas.  Its important to get good at quickly working out if an ideas has legs (or if it good, but not right in this particular context).  Of course, this is where past experience come in handy, and these skills start to grow as a student when you have got the time.  it's not unusual for me to out together 10 or so designs in a couple of days.