Comments on: Are freelance designers really suckers?

By: David Airey

David Airey — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 11:17:56 +0000

You're spot on, Luke. As designers, we do wear many hats.

By: Ben Peck

Ben Peck — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 03:13:17 +0000

This is a very common problem with people who want to go off on their own. Like most every designer I want to be approached because of the quality of my work rather than my price. I understand that you need to be competitive but the key is define who your competitors are and how to compete with them. Using the word “freelance” won’t get you business it will get you a hobby. I have to admit I’ve used the word and I’m pretty sure all designers when then begin to try their own thing will too or at the very least think about it. “Independent Designer/Developer” has worked for me in most cases to get the picture clear.

By: Luke

Luke — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:55:21 +0000

It’s a matter of perspective too, I think.

As a ‘freelance’ web designer, I personally have the idea of a freelancer as someone committed enough to whatever they are doing to have forgone the comfort of a monthly paycheck to follow a passion and work damn hard at making it into a not just a career but part of their way of life.

As Matthew says above, a company client may think this means “recently unemployed, desperate for work”, even if that’s not the case :)

On the other hand, I’ve always thought of ‘consultant’ as a nebulous thing; ok, if you have been hired before to ‘consult’ for other clients it affords a veneer of expertise, but doesn’t really say what you actually DO as has been mentioned earlier in the thread.

I take phone calls every day from (existing and potential) clients looking for web advice; am I a ‘consultant’ because I give them advice on best practices, or is that just part of my job as a designer / developer?

Anyone self-employed wears many hats, it’s a shame but inevitable we have to sum ourselves up in one word or term to busy potential clients looking for a ‘freelancer’, ‘consultant’, ‘expert’ etc….

By: Matthew Kay

Matthew Kay — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:48:55 +0000

I think these terms or titles change every few years. Eventually the people hiring will catch on and those looking for clients will have to find new titles to give themselves. But for the now, I would stay away from the term freelancer, especially now in this time of economic chaos. It kind of says unemployed.

By: David Airey

David Airey — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 19:20:00 +0000

I agree, David—I once showed myself as a company larger than I was, with a generic business name and a lot of third-person references. Pointless, really.

By: David Robins

David Robins — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 22:59:28 +0000

I’ve pondered over this issue many times and never really come up with a satisfactory conclusion. There’s no avoiding the fact that the term ‘freelance’ does carry some negative connotations, although you might not always experience that first hand. On the flip side, I think it’s just plain wrong / misleading to describe myself as an agency when I’m only one person. I did start to toy with the idea of calling myself consultant but as discussed here, it can sound a little ‘hands off’. The best compromise I’ve ever come up with was ‘Independent Graphic Designer’ but it just seems a little vague.

In the end I’m working under the title of freelance (although i don’t particularly shout about it) and have a page on my website dedicated to putting over all the benefits of working with a freelancer, with a little wry humour to make it less ranty.

By: Solomon

Solomon — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 19:37:20 +0000

After reading this, I can definitely see why I’ve been having so many problems making money as a self employed person. I see myself as a freelancer, even though I actually don’t use that title. Although I’m not fond of it, Guru is better( sounding in terms of self reflection.
Generally I never use the word “freelancer” because it sounds kinda flaky. I prefer contractor, and in most instances contractor is the word that self employment is related to.
Consultant sounds strange to me though. It seems to be more about standing around and telling people your opinion and not really doing something. But then again, CEOs seem like that to me also, and they get the big bucks.

By: David Airey

David Airey — Mon, 25 May 2009 16:05:59 +0000

Branding specialist sounds good, JWG, but don’t you want people to see you as “snooty”? ;)

Patience and creativity, I’m definitely with you there.

By: JWG

JWG — Tue, 12 May 2009 17:16:05 +0000

Nice article! I think “freelance” does have more of a “worker bee” feel to it. I personally refer to myself as a “Branding Specialist”. I feel it’s to the point and provides just the right amount of authority on that specific subject, without sounding too “snooty”. :P

Really, I think after the first impression, and you are actually working with your client, it’s all about mutual respect and the desire for a quality design. The client can want what he/she wants, and we can give it to them. We just have to make sure to follow the design laws while doing so. Hopefully, with some patience and creativity, this goal should be met every time.

By: Jason

Jason — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 07:47:17 +0000

To be quite honest I had never thought of it like that. When calling myself a “freelancer” I was and am committed to providing satisfaction to clients. Henceforth, I will be calling myself a web development consultant as opposed to a freelance web developer.

Until I read your article, I never gave any thought to being given less respect through the title I gave myself. I wanted to make sure that the project exceeded the expectations of my clients. You have very valid points that you have brought to light. Thank you so much for your enlightening article.

Jason