10 tips for the freelance illustrator

Are you thinking of dedicating yourself professionally to the world of illustration or graphic design? It is an important decision that involves many things internally and externally. Today I came across a series of illustrations that talk about 10 very important values ​​to start walking in the world of illustration. Although a large part of the community of Creativos Online It is made up of professional designers with a certain track record; lately new colleagues have been arriving with the desire to enter our field.

A designer has created these illustrations for all those who are entering our world and has shared them on social networks. It has become a viral decalogue. And you? Do you put these tips into practice? Let us know in our comment section!

1.- Love what you do: This is applicable to any job. Whether you are young or if you are trying to redefine your career path and guide it in other ways, you must be clear about where you are going. Meditate and make sure what you are looking for in the illustration, although the best trick is to check if you feel good illustrating. If you are passionate about it without the need for any objective involved and the sheer pleasure of working is enough to motivate you, it is probably your way.

2.- Practice and learn: It is something that you will have to do throughout your entire career, because the truth is that you never stop learning. So you better grab a good cup of coffee and find a comfortable seat. This has just begun!

3.- Promote your work: If you do great work but no one knows it exists, it will be the same as if you do nothing. That is why it is important that you work on your visibility and start to make yourself a little more visible every day. The Internet is the direct window for creating new contacts and interesting project opportunities.

It is important that to position yourself and promote yourself you pay attention to the previous scheme. It will be of great help!

4.- Good relationship with your customers: A satisfied customer is a customer who will come back to you sooner or later. It is important that you learn to establish healthy bonds with all your clients. Make sure they are satisfied with your work, with your treatment and with your proposals.

5.- Don't hog everything: It is a very typical mistake in the first-time designer, trying to cover everything and immediately. If this is your case, do not worry, you will soon learn that this far from providing you with a good reputation and job opportunities will only make you force yourself unnecessarily. All you have to do is pay attention to the proverb: Slowly and with good handwriting.

6.- Get organized: Organization is a fundamental point. You must find the methodology that best suits you and investigate which processes are best for you and make you a more productive professional. There are countless tools that can help you: organizational forms, advice from other designers, plugins, complements, applications ...

7.- Discipline: If you are clear about your objectives and the time you have, it will be much easier for you to organize and partition your time to balance between work and leisure. You must learn to avoid procrastination and social media during work hours.

8.- Rate your work: It is normal for a recently graduated student to undervalue their work and sometimes accept jobs and projects with abusive conditions. If you don't worry about valuing your time and dedication, don't worry. It is certain that clients will come who force you to value yourself with regrettable offers… Your work and dedication are worth a lot!

9.- Rest and food: Sometimes we get completely immersed in a project and we forget to eat or lead an unhealthy lifestyle. You should know that this will turn against you and sooner or later it will take its toll on a professional level and most importantly, on a health level.

10.- Save and invest: A good job is easier to achieve if we have powerful tools capable of offering competitive results in record time. Save and upgrade your tools!