CMD+Shift Design
Liz Andrade
Designer of print and web. Podcaster, Blogger, internet nerd and crazy cat lady.
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For the next installment in my interview series, here’s another kick ass freelancer, Krissy Gogel of 6bDesign in Baltimore. You can check out her blog and work at 6bdesign.com or follow her on Twitter @6bdesign.
Give us your “elevator pitch”, who are you and what do you do?
I’m a freelance web designer, all around tech geek, and advocate for animal welfare from Baltimore, Maryland. In my spare time I enjoy playing video games, watching football, spending time with my husband and our adopted and foster pets.
When do you first remember getting interested in making websites?
I started making websites in ’96 at the age of 15. I had designed a lot of ANSI/ASCII logos, menus, and newsletter templates for different BBSes, programs, e-mags and art groups, so making the jump to web design once the 8-bit scene seemed like the natural thing to do. I bought a book on HTML, downloaded Coffee Cup HTML editor and taught myself how to make websites. Since I knew some C from modding BBS software HTML seemed easy and I picked it up almost immediately. I will admit that my first few sites did look like typical mid-90s Geocities/Xoom/Angelfire sites with tons of “cool” bullets, bars, animated spinning gifs, and image reflecting Java Applets. I eventually got better and my websites began getting some attention, so started freelancing from the basement apartment at my Grandmoms house where I lived.
Freelancing was very fun at the time, but it wasn’t very lucrative. Once I turned 18 I made the decision to get “a real job” and move out of the basement. I got my own apartment and a part-time seasonal job as a sale associate at a local Baltimore independent music store called Record and Tape Traders. That two month seasonal gig turned into career that lasted for eight years. I held many positions at Record and Tape Traders, but the majority of my time was spent as a store manager in charge of training. When the independent chain of 11 stores was sold to an out-of-state corporation in 2007, I chose not to reapply for my job and decided to try freelancing again. I learned many sales, marketing/promotion, communication, time management, merchandising, and general business skills in that eight-year period which gave me an entirely new perspective on web design and user experience.
Do you have examples of any of yr old ANSI and ASCII art?
If you don’t count the Atari XE with the 5.5 in. floppy drive I had in the 80’s, I got my first computer, a Macintosh Performa in 94. One of my cousins noticed that it had a 28.8k modem and introduced me to the world of “modeming” and gave me the numbers to a bunch of local Baltimore area BBSes. As an art student, I was very impressed by the amazing 8-bit, 16 color graphic ANSI and ASCII on some of these bulletin boards. I downloaded as many art packs as I could find, created some 8-bit art myself, and ended up joining Unit – a local art group run by Beverly Guillermo. Eventually I traded my Performa for a 486 with DOS and Win 3.1 so I didn’t have to run Telix (telnet program) and Acid Draw (ANSI/ASCII Editor) through a DOS emulator. As the local underground art and BBS scene began to fade, I decided to take the plunge and get internet access so I could start hanging out on IRC in #ASCII and #ANSI where the “famous” 8-bit artists hung out. I eventually joined other groups: Remorse (a division of Acid), Mimic, and CiA while running my own group, Aspire.
I absolutely loved creating ANSI and ASCII art.
What do you do when you’re feeling uninspired or burnt out? Do you have any rituals to help you cope? Resources to get you inspired?
If I’m feeling burnt out I usually take a break and try to regroup. Just closing the laptop and heading downstairs to the kitchen for a cup of coffee can clear my mind enough for ideas to flow again. When I have the time, I’ll whip out my handy Moleskin and doodle for a while. That seems to help clear my mind. I get some of my best ideas when I’m not thinking about the project I’m working on.
When I’m feeling uninspired I rarely ever look to the web for new ideas. I prefer to look at items around my house and office instead. Books, magazines, catalogs, CDs, DVDs, video games, and the product packaging of everyday items offer me lots of creative inspiration.
I don’t really have any rituals to help me cope. Since I work from home, trying to maintain certain daily, weekly and monthly routines seems to help me stay on track. I’ve also had to make certain self-imposed rules about when I work. It’s very easy for me to catch an attitude when my work starts to interfere with my home life and takes away time that would normally be spent with my husband, friends, family and kids. And by kids I mean cats and dogs :)
What’s your favorite project to date?
Recently I have been freelancing for Blue Sky Factory designing and updating email newsletter templates, landing pages and banner ads. It has been very refreshing having “co-workers” even if my only contact with them is over the phone, through email, Basecamp or IM. But as much as I have loved my time freelancing for Blue Sky Factory, I would have to say that my favorite project to date has been Blendetta.com. Blendetta is a pop-culture blog that I designed and run with my BFF Amirah Rahim. We worked together at Record and Tape Traders years ago and we both have web jobs now. Writing for Blendetta has kept me in touch with music and pop-culture trends and gives me the freedom to write about stuff I like – not stuff I should write about.
In your time freelancing what is the most valuable lesson you’ve learned? What advice would you give to those considering freelancing?
I’ve learned a lot of valuable lessons since I’ve been freelancing. I’ve learned that only about a quarter of my time is spent actually designing while the other three quarters are spent handling administrative duties. I’ve learned that although working from home is convenient, it’s not as cost-effective as one might think once you take into account the cost of supplies, utilities, hardware, software, etc. I’ve learned that freelancing to pay the bills is not a part-time job. I’ve learned that you need to watch the trends, experiment, push yourself to the limits, but must always stay true to yourself, what you like, and what you do best. But most importantly, I’ve learned that web design and development is not something that you learn and do – it’s a continuing learning process. You can never know too much, especially since the web is constantly evolving. So my advice to those considering freelancing: Always Be Learning. Find out everything you can about design, color, typography, freelancing, taxes, time management, invoicing, etc. Being a one-person company is a lot of hard work since you are doing the job of 10 people. The more you know, the easier it is.
What do you think of the latest design changes to Facebook?
Personally, I like the changes. People get outraged when sites like Facebook make changes. Just the other day, people made a big stink because Twitter added tiny in-house advertisements on profile pages, although it didn’t affect their experience. Change is inevitable, and in my opinion a good thing. When things don’t change, they don’t move forward. If the web in general didn’t change, we’d still be looking at those Geocities pages with the animated spinning gifs : )
What’s the most inspirational book in your library? (Doesn’t have to be design related)
Without question my favorite book of all time is To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. To think that it was Lee’s only published book is quite inspirational. Knowing that reminds me that anything is possible as long as you put your heart and soul into what you love doing. I also find much inspiration in the opening credits to the movie. The contrast of the modern typeface and the classic images is amazing; especially considering the film was released in 1962.
Bonus questions!
Favorite HEX? #4E27C. I’m a huge Baltimore Ravens fan.
Do you say “font” or “typeface”? Font.
When setting live San Serif text, which do you choose more often; Helvetica, Arial or Verdana? I shouldn’t admit it, but I will – Verdana. I hope all of you Helvetica lovers still like me! : )
Favorite Keyboard shortcut? Alt-Tab. I always have 2,623 applications open.
Favorite internet celebrity &/or internet celebrity crush? Christian the Lion. Ever seen that video on YouTube? It’s absolutely amazing!
I first heard of Michelle Goodman’s Book “The Anti-9to5 Guide” (and blog under the same name) just a few weeks after fleeing my staff position for the freelance life when she did an interview with Kristen Fischer on FreelanceSwitch.com. I picked up a copy of the book, which gave me a lot of insight on what awaited me in the world of the self-employed. Michelle’s books are must-have freelance resource guides and they even manage to make you laugh out loud (don’t you love it when books do that?!) Check out The Anti-9to5 Guide and her latest, “My So-Called Freelance Life”
I was recently able to interview Michelle, she talks about everything from visiting the beach for inspiration to writing about gadgets to sock-monkey slippers! Check her out…
What do you do when you’re feeling uninspired or burnt out? Do you have any rituals to help you cope? Resources to get you inspired?
My burnout usually stems from overwork and lack of sleep, which is where I’ve been at this past week. So to recharge, I sleep, get outside with the dog, do a little home improvement or watch some Battlestar with my guy (we’re on season 3), read, pop in a movie, dance around the house to 70s hippie rock (you already know about this), or see friends. Basically, I step away from the computer.
Going to the beach, even for an hour with the dog, always helps tremendously. But for serious burnout, a cabin plus a couple nights of 12-hours of sleep does me right. Oh, and I always get inspired when I go to the bookstore, though it has to be an independent bookstore. It’s fun for me to just hang out there and poke around the titles for a couple hours. Not the business/career titles, but the creative nonfiction and fiction ones.
If you could go back in time to the first day you started as an independent – what advice would you give yourself?
“Don’t be such an idiot!” I didn’t plan for the self-employed life. At all. I quit my day job, moved 3000 miles west, and decided to freelance while on the drive out (to California, though I’m now in Seattle). I was 24, broke, really freaking shy, terrified to network or speak up for myself, and really clueless about rates/contracts/taxes? It also did not help that I had the business and marketing sense of a Beagle, no contacts in California, and the skimpiest of portfolios. (This was a couple years before the web.)
Had I planned things a little better, I would have figured out how to get un-shy and networked my ass off before I left New York (I was working in publishing, for chrissakes! a veritable goldmine of freelance work! at least then…) I also would have built up some contacts and better writing credits, and maybe even socked away some cash before embarking on my excellent freelance adventure.
In your books/blog you joke about working in bunny slippers and not showering, how much of this is hyperbole and how much is true to life?
Okay, I’ll fess up. I really don’t shower before I start working. I do it at the end of the day, mainly because I like to exercise after work. And there are weeks here and there where I don’t change out of my pajamas for a couple days in a row—or bathe. But working in the clothes I slept in for two straight does make me feel like a bit of a recluse or mental patient (not that I have anything against mental patients). So I’ve been moving toward cleaning myself up and putting on clothes before I work, sometimes even running out for an errand first (gasp!).
This dressing in the morning thing is more of a recent development. I used to just put on a fresh pair of pajamas before working. As for the slippers, I really do work in them, only they’re sock monkeys, not bunnies.
What’s the work that gets your blood pumping, and what do you consider your more ‘bread and butter’ stuff?
Blood pumping work = writing a column about a topic I feel strongly about—for example, how so many people marry for health insurance (those that can marry, anyway) because it’s so dang unaffordable or how getting paid in exposure as a freelancer is usually a bum deal. Also, having to do interviews on a fun topic that resonates with people, like tattoos in the workplace. But more than anything, I love writing more essay-style pieces for anthologies and kickass media outlets, which I haven’t done enough of lately. Oh yeah, and loved writing the new book, except toward the end where I was freaking about the deadline.
Bread and butter work = the more corporate work I do. Some of the projects are a total slog and you get through them by reminding yourself how much you’re getting paid, and some are surprisingly fun. For example, I currently have a gig writing articles for a tech company about their mobile phones. I get to mess around with the phone and try getting certain apps and tasks to work with it. And then I take screenshots of what I did and write a conversational how-to article about it. To me, this is a lot of fun.
What do you think peoples biggest misconception is about life as a freelancer?
That we’re hobbyists who are either independently wealthy or living off a spouse with a day job and health insurance. So many of us aren’t. I find it so inspiring that so many single folks make a decent living from project-based and other self-employed work—and buy houses and cars and raise kids and take vacations (okay, maybe not this year, but you get the idea).
I did a TV interview a couple days ago and the newscaster said, “I have a tip for people who want to freelance: Make sure you marry someone with good health insurance.” I’ve heard that advice given a lot, especially to women, and it pisses me off. Even though I wrote an article about how some couples hasten tying the knot (or tie the knot when they otherwise wouldn’t have) in the name of one of them not having to drop a wad of cash on health care. If I could game the system this way, I would too; I’m sick of paying thousands a year to health insurance companies who cover squat. But to imply that you have to be married to freelance is just stupid. And pretty insulting to those of us doing just fine on our own thankyouverymuch.
So that I end on a positive note, I will say I’m grateful that freelancing has taught me how to market myself and hustle for work. I know a lot of other freelancers who feel the same way — and a lot of employees who, sadly, feel paralyzed and terrified right now. I’m worried about the crap economy too, but I think I’d be much more worried if I had one employer as opposed to half a dozen or so, and if I wasn’t reasonably confident that I’ll always be able to find some project to do, even if it’s not my first, second, third, or hundred-and-third choice.
This next interview is with Niki Brown, a web designer and blogger living in Boston, MA. Niki works by day at a small web design firm and by night (and in the wee hours of morning) cranks out freelance design and content for a design blog, which I am sure you all know and love, The DesignOBlog.
What do you do when you’re feeling uninspired or burnt out? Do you have any rituals to help you cope? Resources to get you inspired?
One of the first things I do when I feel uninspired is to get as far away from my computer as possible. Last time I felt uninspired I hopped on the subway and headed to an old historical neighborhood of Boston called Beacon Hill. So many old buildings, texture and lovely typography.
Whats your favorite project to date?
My favorite project to date has been my blog, I get to write whatever I want and design things how I like it! :) People say they hate designing for themselves, but I love it.
What do you do at your 9to5?
My 9-5 (or 10-5) ‘day job’ is a Designer at Brunello Creative. We make the internet a better place one website at a time :) We do a lot of web work for Mens Health: (Mens Health Yoga Center, Eat This, Not That.)
How many hours per week do you spend on freelancing/blogging/building your personal brand?
I usually spent 10-20 hours a week freelancing and blogging. Right now its skewing more towards blogging :)
What would you do if you woke up tomorrow and the internet did not exist?
I’m sure I would attend more local networking events if the internet did not exist, and I would probably go crazy…
What do you think of the Tropicana packaging Re-design?
I think Tropicana’s new packaging is horrible.* My friend Steph wrote a good blog post that basically sums up my opinion. I think that drastic redesigns are not the way of the future. Realign, not redesign.
* since my interview with Niki, Tropicana released word that because of negative feedback, they’ve received. The newly designed cartons would be discontinued. Read more about this at NYTimes.com.
Why do you think design is important? How do you see design effecting the day to day lives of ordinary (non-designer) people. What makes “good or bad” design?
Design affects everyone because it influences our decision making. It can be as trivial as a choosing carton of orange juice, or as serious as a way of finding design for a hospital.
I think good or bad design is sometimes in the eye of the beholder (although there are definitely rules that design should follow)
Favorite HEX? #ff0000 although I never use it :)
Do you say “font” or “typeface”? I use both interchangeably, I like breaking the rules like that :)
When setting live San Serif text, which do you choose more often; Helvetica, Arial or Verdana? Unlike some people who hate helvetica, its my trusted and true sans font.
Favorite Keyboard shortcut? Apple + tab
Favorite internet celebrity &/or internet celebrity crush? Gary Vaynerchuk, but only for his wine prowess.
Since last months interview with The Design Cubicle, I’ve gotten some emails for further advice on ditching the 9-to-5 to make your own creative footprints on the world. First, I want to say — I’ve been doing this for a year — I am by no means an “expert”, I can just offer up some of what I have learned over the past 13 months and what I’ve learned from my fellow freelancers, and I hope it is valuable to you. If you have anything else you’d like me to cover — feel free to email me, leave a comment or @cmdshiftdesign me on Twitter.
How do I know when it is time to leave my job and do freelance full-time?
The only one who can answer this is you. You have to listen to your gut on this one, but there are definitely steps you can take to help you “hit the ground running.”
Moonlight to build up a clientele.
I’ve heard this advice from many seasoned freelancers and it is great advice. I did not do this and it wasn’t a problem for me, but it would have been smart – if you’re able to do it.
Don’t think you have time to build a business in your spare time? Well, you do. Take a cue from Gary Vaynerchuk, stop watching LOST and get to work! Moonlighting as a freelancer will also give you a glimpse at what you’re getting into. Freelancing isn’t for everyone, so it’s a good idea to get a taste of it before fleeing the cube.
Establish a Fall-Back fund
Even the most seasoned freelancers experience lean times, and when you’re just starting out giving up that guaranteed paycheck every week can be terrifying. Putting a fund in place to catch you in case you stumble will keep you fed, clothed and will allow you to focus on doing good work and growing your business instead of freaking out over dollars and cents.
Of course, we need to make money, but eliminating the panic factor allows you to avoid the freelance pitfall of undervaluing your time and having to take on a million micro-budget projects.
Your Fall-Back fund should have at least 4 to 6 months worth of living and business expenses. Of course, your first step is going to be to sit down and figure out how much you need to keep going each month. You may have a general idea of that figure, but remember to take into account some of those larger “one a year” expenses like automobile maintenance, web hosting, etc.
Build a small-business network
Besides the paid vacations and cushy medical coverage, one of the big things you give up when making the freelance switch is interaction with your colleagues. One way to combat this is getting involved with co-working communities, where independent professionals share an office space. Like many, I tend to use Twitter as a virtual co-working experience. No matter how you do it, get out and connect with other small business owners, they may share resources and tips, refer clients or just be a valuable freelance ally – either way – just cause you’re in business by yourself doesn’t mean you have to go-it alone, they are a ton of us out there!
Consider A short term contract position
Contract work exists in the space between a regular staff position and being a full time free agent. Check out some of the creative placement agencies in your area and find out about the companies they contract with. This is a great solution to help you make the transition, or if you find a contract that is part-time, this can bring in good money and allow you plenty of time to grow your business.
Stay on your bosses good side
Maybe you won’t be missing your boss once you leave your 9to5, but don’t use your upcoming freedom as an excuse to burn bridges with your current employer. There is a good chance your former boss will soon become your client when you leave.
After going freelance my former boss has become a valued client, it’s almost a perfect situation (for both of us,) think about it – you don’t have to go through much of the initial “getting to know you and your tastes” phase, you can jump into the work, understand your new clients needs right away and get things done efficiently!
Spread the word
Of course you’ve told your other design friends that your making the freelance switch, but don’t stop there! Tell your neighbor, your mailman, your barista – tell everyone you talk to that you are starting your own business, give them a business card – give them your elevator speech – make sure they understand what services you offer, cause even if they do not need to hire you – chances are that if you are likable and memorable, they will pass your information along next time they’re at a business lunch and someone says “I need to find a graphic designer!”
Treat freelancing like a business, not a job.
This is a big one. On that first day you sit down at your new independent office space, you are now a business owner and this comes me many more tasks than your former position. You are now project manager, designer, production designer, developer, art director, you are the accounts payable and accounts receivable office, you are the marketing department! Of course for many things you may end up hiring specialists (like for taxes!) but your day to day running of the office is now on you – if something doesn’t get done, it is your fault. Being organized and drawing from you small-business community will help you set your groove, and as you watch your business grow, you’ll know it’s your doing!
Now.. hop to it!
Graphic Designer Must-Have Books!
I recently had the chance to interview Kristine Johnson of Cognition Studio, a Seattle-based design firm that specializes in design and illustration for the Medical Industries. Here Kristine gives her recommendations for Must-Have Books for every designer library.
Subscribe to the CMD+Shift Design Blog for the upcoming interview with Kristine and a video tour of her home office space.
Click below to purchase these books!
- Typography: Formation +Transformation by Willi Kunz
- Typography: Macro and Microaesthetics by Willi Kunz
- Design, Form, and Chaos by Paul Rand
- Design Issues: How Graphic Design Informs Society by DK Holland
Thank you…
I started blogging just a year ago near the start of my freelance leap and I wonder why I didn’t start doing this sooner (both blogging and freelancing.) I really feel lucky to have become a small part of the online design community, thanks for all the feedback, technical support, resource sharing, retweets, advice, diggs, floats, comments. Thanks for including me in your blog or for participating in mine. Thank you for reading, sharing, subscribing, stumbling, referring, hiring, visiting and being involved.
Blogging is hard
My first year as a blogger started out bumpy, I felt a little lost at first – my posts were scarce as I hadn’t gotten used to balancing client work with my own marketing efforts. For many months, it seemed I was posting for no one, getting minimal visits, no comments and just pushing on, telling myself that things would pick up if I just kept posting.
2008 Wrap-Up
Slowly over the year things have picked up. In June, a post of mine made the front page of Digg. In July I got a free 2-day pass to the BizJam Conference put on by Biznik in Seattle, compliments to Michelle from Anti 9to5 Guide. (Photo above is from the conferences keynote – words to live by, if you ask me.)By the fall of the year, I’d resolved to updating at least once a week and I’ve managed to stick with it – yay! In September I started postng monthly wrap-ups.
What Now?
I have a few plans for 2009. I’ll continue with my website redesign. I want to plan some new posts featuring some of the awesome people I’ve met via Twitter from the online design community. I will be starting a 365 at the first of ’09 – which you can follow on my Flickr and I’ll continue doing Freelance Tips. Check out my list of ’09 Goals, both in and out of the office.
If there is anything you would like to see more (or less) of – let me know. Leave a comment or follow me on twitter.
10 Questions about Design…
I got interviewed by Niki over at DesignOBlog about design, freelancing and …bananas! Niki is an awesome blogger, check out the interview here and take some time to look at the rest of her posts.
I don’t think of my design style in an aesthetic way, but more of my style of working. I try to be smart in my process, you have to be. Good design has to marry form and function… sacrificing usability is as offensive as bad kerning. » read entire interview.
“Beauty School Drop Out” Grease
1. Look before you leap!
Freelancing ain’t easy and there’s no reason to make it any more difficult for yourself by jumping ship before you’re ready. Weather you lack nest-egg funds, skills, or connections, a few years out in the “real world” of your industry is the best way to prepare yourself for going solo. Now, I know there those of you out there who have had success in freelancing straight out of school, and more power to you – but I think you’re a lucky few!
“I Want it Now” Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory
2. Keep your eye on the prize.
While sweet little Veruca took it a bit overboard, the gal knew what she wanted and she refused settle for any less. Sometimes you gotta stand up and say “this is what I want, ” and be prepared to fight for it. Weather it’s landing that dream client, or convincing an existing one of your genius ideas. Confidence in yourself breeds other peoples confidence in you, just don’t get too full of yourself – or you’ll turn out rotten like Veruca.
“Tear Me Down” Hedwig & The Angry Inch
3. It’s not personal, it’s just business.
Being a freelancer in any creative industry, it is good to have a thick skin. So much of what us creatives do comes straight from our hearts, we are really passionate about our work — so sometimes a harsh critique can feel like a personal attack, but it isn’t (usually.) Take a step back and look at feedback with as much objectivity as possible, you learn a lot more from criticism than you will from praise, so welcome it.
“Don’t Dream it, Be it” Rocky Horror Picture Show
4. Love what you do, Do what you love.
One of the best parts of being your own boss is, being your own boss! Who says you cant devote a percentage of your time to a pleasure project? Blogging, illustration, social networking, have FUN with your business .. be creative!
“My Favorite Things” Sound of Music
5. With the bad, comes the good.
Sometimes when days are crappy — your servers down, you’ve got a nightmare client leaving you voice mails at all hours of the night, it’s enough to send to running back to the safety of the old cubicle. Not so fast! Take a deep breath, take a stroll around the block and remember all the better parts about freelancing that you love so much.
Spent 6+ hours today at BizJam Seattle ’08. I plan to put together a more comprehensive post on some of the things I learned from the lectures, but for now I will leave you with some small bite/byte sized bits from the first day of BizJamSeattle08.
“I measure business success on how much sleep I get” – Dan McComb
“I very rarely wear pants.” – DL Byron
“Live your brand.” – DL Byron
“The longer online arguments go on, the more likely it is that Hitler or Nazi’s will be mentioned” – Eric Weaver
“It’s about content and people, not tech” – Geoffrey Grosenbach
But I have to admit, the word of today was definitely “twitter”, I wish I would’ve kept a tally on how many times it was said — almost comical. Wasn’t it? (twitter.com/cmdshiftdesign)
What did I miss? If you were there let me know the quotes you remembered from Day One.
Regardless of your political leaning, you have got to admit that the Obama campaign has some style. Obama’s website was even featured on WebCreme (a top favorite blog for Web Design inspiration.)
YES WE CAN. The slogan of “Yes We Can” that sums up Obama’s optomistic attitude in one tastey bite sized phrase, a feat that has any marketing guru drooling. He’s The Choice of a New Generation. He can Think Different. Only he’s not marketing sugar water or computers, but hope. Now that is something to be inspired by! Over the past week, his “Yes We Can” speech was adapted by Will.i.am of The Black Eyed Peas, into a lyrical spoken word performance video, and has been viewed over 3 million times on YouTube.
If you’re looking for a resource to sport your support for Obama in ’08, check out Zazzle Apperal, where you can find t-shirts of all colors, style and sizes.(Just like us.)
