59 karma · joined October 22, 2010
In all seriousness, though, neat tool. It's kinda sluggish on the new iPad, though.
Take on pro bono projects for charities you respect, shitty lower-paying clients and launch a side project that demonstrates your skills in a real world use cases.
Work into every conversation that you're a freelance designer. It's a big deal.
My last piece of advice is to network with quality people. Stay far way from the insurance agents and MLM'ers; they're looking for the quick sale and they will connect you with people that want the same. Make it a point to get to know _business owners_ and people that call the shots--the ones writing the checks.
Oh, yeah. One more thing: This isn't gonna be easy. So, good luck! :)
P.S. Who else had to Google clef-de-voûte? FYI: It basically means "most important component" or "key element." (via bab.la)
I certainly hope this doesn't become something more universities waste their time on, because this is ludicrous.
(edit: typo)
edit: typo
There some good wireframing resources for Illustrator and other programs in this Smashing Magazine post: http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2010/02/05/50-free-ui-and-we...
You people need to relax.
These are my bigger epiphanies:
* Started asking myself "Why do I get so attached?" I started to see that I wasn't really all that confident in my abilities. I produced good work, but I wasn't skillful with working with clients and their problems, which is a very important aspect of being a freelancer.
* As I became more skillful in my craft and maintaining relationships, my attitude shifted and I started building confidence in myself when it came to solving problems. I started being objective about the problems I was solving.
* My creative process has been important, too. I figured out the more I focused on objectives, problems and pain, the more the client (and me) got behind my solutions. My solutions started to mean something because I could tie every decision to a pain point.
* All I can do educate and advocate the best solutions. Ultimately, it is up to the client to decide what he wants to do.
* Often times, people hadn't worked with a skilled consultant before. So, they didn't understand the complexities of the solutions I provided. This means they'll start requesting, what I often interpreted as, random shit. These requests, I learned, are mostly surface symptoms of deeper issues--dig down and figure out what the real problem is.
I guess bottom line: Trust in yourself and your skill. Remain objective. Educate and advocate the best solutions to the client. Know you gave it 100%.