Are you wanting to learn the honest differences between a freelance role and salaried job? Or are you struggling to price work or find clients in the freelance world? Balancing two worlds isn’t easy, but it is the reality for a number of creators. Between the client budgets, unpredictable workloads and the possibility of creative limitations, Iris wanted to discover the truth behind earning as a designer, and how their job roles often include wearing more than one hat.
Meet Ruben Dias, otherwise known as ‘Frogster Creative’, a 32-year-old Graphic Designer for IKEA who works full-time, whilst also navigating a freelance practice on the side. Throughout his transition to a promising freelance career, Ruben has discovered the ways to navigate his two artistic worlds and has spoken to us in order to answer all of your questions.
How do your freelance rates compare to your in-house work at IKEA?
“At the moment I’m on a full time salary, so the freelance work doesn’t compare to the full time work. For me, freelance rates depend on the project itself and also what the client’s budget is. At the moment I’m working on a branding project and instead of charging my hourly rate, I charge a pack bundle price.”
Do you find freelance design more financially rewarding, or does your full-time job (IKEA) offer better long-term security?
“Freelance is more rewarding when it comes to being a creative artist. Although IKEA provides financial security for me and my partner, it does not provide what I’m looking for at the moment – which is having creative freedom.”
How do you decide what to charge freelance clients, especially compared to corporate design work?
“It really depends on the project. My work normally is branding and I have different prices. For example, a full premium branding pack bundle I charge from £1000 over depending on what the client wants as mediums and its own budget. At the moment I know my prices can go higher according to the work I do, from research, experimentations, analysis and everything around the brand itself. If the client wants something different I might have to do my hourly rate which at the moment is £45.”
What’s the most financially valuable lesson you’ve learned as a freelancer?
“Nothing is perfect, freelance is rewarding but you need to work double. Which is not bad, but if you want to reach a certain level of security and have a stress free lifestyle, I would say the best lesson is that nothing should be taken for granted. For me, I always had to work double. I don’t come from a rich family, I don’t have parents that support my decisions, or give me a house, or money or a car. I always had to work a lot to get where I am right now.”
Have you ever turned down freelance work because it didn’t match your value and how do you handle that?
“Not yet, but I dropped a price to please the client. But I knew deep down that was a big mistake from my side. You should never drop your prices and your skills to please others.”
How do you find and secure freelance clients I.e. referrals, platforms, outreach?
“At the moment I use freelance platforms such as Fiverr and Upwork but it takes time to land a freelance job. I also use recruiters, or cold calling which is something I’m not a big fan of. Sometimes my freelance work comes from a friend of a friend which is good in a way.”
Do you find your creative freedom differs between freelance and salaried work?
“Yes, a lot. IKEA is graphic design but with brand guidelines that you need to follow, the tone of voice is fixed. So when it comes to creativity you are bound to nothing. It’s part of it, for me it was my first job as a creative and I think you need to experience that to help you out what exactly you want as a creative and what you want for your career.”
What advice would you give to a new designer trying to break into freelance while working a day job?
“Honestly, my big piece of advice is don’t give up! Yes, it’s a competitive industry but you gotta make it work. Meet new people, design fake client briefs, design a passion project for a brand you love, go to makers markets, use social media as your main client platform. Make sure you are you! Don’t change yourself to please customers or because it’s trendy. I’m a bold designer, I have my own brand signature and I won’t be different because it’s too much. I know who I am. So, be you!”
At the end of the day, whether you go freelance or stick with a corporate gig, it’s all about what creative success looks like for you, and knowing your value.