Audrey Havey’s Post

3 tips that have helped me as a freelance motion designer: 1. Make what you want to get paid to make. Most of the time it’s difficult for a client to use their imagination about your capabilities if you haven’t already made something similar to what they want. This isn’t always the case, but for obvious reasons a potential new client will often gravitate towards choosing a freelancer who already has proven experience creating what they want. Your portfolio should include strong examples of the type of work you want to be making for clients. Doing this as an exercise will not only strengthen your opportunities with new clients, but will also give you more confidence with the work you do in the future. Take advantage of all the online resources there are to learn new skills, whether it’s Youtube tutorials or enrolling in a School of Motion course for example. 2. Pay attention to new tools that other motion designers are using. Even seasoned motion designers who have been in the industry for many years have to pick up new skills and learn new programs for client projects at times. Being adaptable to the needs of a project or team is huge as a freelancer, and shows that you’re capable of handling a curve ball and tackling unfamiliar challenges. Additionally, staying up to date with emerging tools and technologies demonstrates to clients that you’re evolving alongside the industry. One tool that I’ve been spending a lot of time with lately is Fable, which is an entirely web-based motion design app. With many designers shifting towards cloud-based design tools with improved ease of use, apps like this are becoming essential to have in your toolkit. 3. Continuously engage with the type of work you want to do — it seems obvious but it’s important to surround yourself with work that inspires you. Actively look for new design inspiration and make it a daily habit to make note of new skills that you want to learn to create the type of work that excites you. A lot of designers who are early on in their career are still trying to develop their personal style, and a great way to do that is to study work from designers that you look up to. I like to follow my favorite designers on Behance and Instagram.  What are some of your tips for getting into the design world, or just freelancing in general? Animation made in Fable.    #madeinfable #MotionDesign #MotionGraphics #2DAnimation #Illustration #Animation #GraphicDesign #DesignTips #DesignTools #MotionDesignTools #CreativeProcess

Here is the Small Hope! I got $0 from it, but was it worth it?   In the freelancing world, working is unsustainable! Doing a completed piece as a personal project is like a side hustle for me. Even though it is slow, it is steady.   It took me between half an hour and two hours a day. So, what have I gotten from doing personal projects?   - Telling my story(s) 📜 - Goodies for the reel 👀 - Experimenting as much as I want! 💅 - Learning new stuff 🤓 - Polishing my craft ⚒ - Literally, doing what I love 😁   The main challenge was how to tell a story with simplified visuals that convey emotions.    The other challenge was trying out different sounds that appealed to the movement, which turned out to be working well, I guess!   Totally, I am happy with how it became at the end!   BTW, my availability opens in May.   P.S. Do you think personal projects are worth it? And how often do you do them? #animation #aftereffects #design #motion #graphicdesign #motionlovers #illustration #creativity #work #opentowork

Here’s how a motion designer can find companies and apply for jobs effectively: 1. Build a Strong Portfolio Showcase your best motion design work that demonstrates versatility in styles, techniques, and tools. A personal website with your portfolio, contact details, and bio can help you stand out. Platforms like Behance, Dribbble, or Vimeo are also great for displaying your work. 2. Leverage Professional Networks Use LinkedIn to keep your profile updated with skills and portfolio. Follow companies and engage with their content. Creative communities like Motionographer and ArtStation are also great for interacting with companies and finding job opportunities. 3. Freelance Platforms Platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer can offer freelance gigs that lead to long-term jobs. For higher-end opportunities, consider platforms like Toptal and 99designs where companies look for top talent. 4. Apply Directly to Companies Many companies have career sections on their websites. Job boards like Indeed, Glassdoor, and LinkedIn are useful for finding “motion designer” positions. Creative job boards like We Work Remotely and Creativepool also list design roles. 5. Networking and Referrals Attend industry events like Adobe MAX or design workshops to network. Ask for referrals from industry contacts, as many jobs are filled through networking rather than applications. 6. Tailor Your Application Customize your resume and cover letter for each job. Highlight relevant skills and show how you can help the company achieve its goals. A follow-up email after applying shows initiative. 7. Stay Updated on Trends Stay current on motion design trends through blogs, tutorials, and YouTube. Employers appreciate designers who bring fresh ideas and stay ahead of the curve. By building a strong portfolio, using professional networks, applying directly, and staying updated on trends, motion designers can increase their chances of landing the right job.

Why should you restart your personal passion project? . . I learned design the hard way : YouTube, articles, and a whole lot of trial and error. My first freelance client opened my eyes to the harsh reality of how challenging it can be to make a living as a freelance graphic designer. Sure, we all have bills to pay, but working on something you’re passionate about can actually lead to bigger rewards down the road. ☑️ Passion projects aren't just fun; they're a goldmine for new skills and fresh perspectives. ☑️ I started a bunch of passion projects when I first started freelancing. Most flopped, but I picked up skills like drawing illustrations and making little animations.Those skills made my client work way better! ☑️ One big lesson I learned? Having a clear plan is key. It’s easy to lose motivation if you’re not sure how your passion project fits into your bigger goals. ☑️ You don’t have to ditch your day job to make it happen! Even if you’re working a 9-to-5, finding a little time each day to work on something you love can make all the difference. And when you enjoy what you do, you're way more creative. So, if you've been putting your passion project on hold, it's time to bring it back to life. - Set small goals - Gain clarity - Just begin. Don’t overthink it, just start. You’ll find a way to align your passion with your ultimate goals as you go. #passion #graphicdesigner #freelancer

From Corporate Visual Designer to Freelancer ✨ I’ve been wanting to open up and share a piece of my heart with you all—a journey that's been a rollercoaster of emotions, growth, and newfound freedom. For five years, I worked hard as a Graphic and then UIUX Designer in corporate space. It was fulfilling in many ways, but there was always a whisper in the back of my mind, nudging me to step out of my comfort zone and explore the unknown. Recently I went on solo trip to the mountains, That trip opened my eyes to the beauty of freedom and self-discovery, leading me to make a bold decision—I chose to leave my corporate job and move into world of freelancing. It isn't just about choosing when I work or what projects I take—it's about being true to myself and doing what I love. It's about facing my fears and feeling alive in the uncertainty. And let's not forget—it's okay to work in a corporate setting. There's nothing wrong with working in a big company. It's just not for me. Freelancing lets me be myself and be creative in my own way. Through freelancing, I've found a sense of purpose that goes beyond just earning a money. Each project feels like a piece of my heart, and I'm grateful for every step of this journey. So here's to taking chances, following our dreams, and sharing our stories with the world and to finding beauty in the messy, imperfect journey of life. Thank you for being a part of my story. 💌 #Freelancer #corporatejob #Designer #career

2022 was pretty messy → Quit my job → Went broke → Felt super stressed → Got a new job but left after a month → Decided to try freelancing From early 2023 till now: → I'm making way more money than I thought I would → I've worked with over 10 clients who love what I do So what changed? ✅ It was all me, honestly. When I felt lost: → I picked myself up → Didn't wait for anyone else to push me → Just kept working hard and didn't give up Yeah, I was failing a lot, but I was learning too. PS - What is the reason for your success ? ➡️ I help you with visual branding, LinkedIn Graphics , Digital and Print Assets. #freelance #graphicdesign #freelancegraphicdesigner

BTS: Back to freelance motion design life! 😱 As a freelance motion designer, you face many challenges beyond just creating beautiful art. Transitioning from a full-time job to freelancing can be exciting and nerve-wracking, leaving you with constant fears about landing your next job. You may worry about who will call you, what success or failure looks like, and even how you'll make ends meet. As a creative person, you may love creating communication visuals, but selling them might not be your strong suit. You may also feel like a fraud, leading to reluctance to promote yourself on social media. It's important to remember that these struggles are normal and that you're not alone. Keep going – we'll get there soon. ❤️ #FreelanceJourney #MotionDesign #CreativeProcess #BehindTheSceen

If you are a graphic designer, video editor, or in any field of the freelancing world, if you are making your full efforts to master that field and still not getting any clients that will pay you, you are not a loser. In my starting days when I was grinding, I always used to think that when I'd learn this stuff and when I'd start earning money, I didn't have the thing called patience. After a few months, I learned Photoshop and started my designing journey. My most difficult time was those 2 months when I was continuously learning and thinking of myself as a loser who knows nothing. I was trying and failing, like designing is not for me. After two months of hard work, I got my first client, and my confidence is starting to increase a little bit. When I remember that time when I used to think of myself as a loser, I feel sad. If you are giving your 100%, you are not a loser; you are getting your result or not. It doesn't matter; keep grinding because failure makes us go one step ahead. There is a famous quote, once heard by Nelson Mandela: Either I win or I learn. So, never think of yourself as a loser; know your capabilities, who you are, and what you can do. Keep learning, keep growing. #graphicdesign #videoeditor #freelancing #designing

Hello everyone! My name is Rohit, and I have been freelancing for almost 2 months, yet I have a client base of over 1 million subscribers. Isn’t this crazy? Here’s how : (a) Skills : If you don’t know the work for which you are offering services, who’ll pay you? So I designed a minimum of one project per day to improve my design skills. (b) Connection : If you have all the skills you need about the services you are offering (a minimum of 50% of knowledge), it’s time to find a client who’ll pay you. To find clients, I used to email almost all the content creators I knew, and every day I used to email a minimum of five content creators, and yet I still do. On LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook, I used to send personalized emails and messages. Some creators responded to me, some ignored me, but I didn’t quit; I kept doing this every day, and now I have a high-paying client. So keep growing, keep learning, and never quit. Repost. #freelancing #graphicdesigner #adobe #photoshop #illustrator

It’s been exactly one year since I left my full-time job at NBC Sports and began my career as a freelance motion designer & art director. Here are few of my takeaways a year on… 1) IMPOSTER-SYNDROME is REAL. Comparing yourself to other designers and studios can hurt way more than it can help — so you gotta use that work as inspiration and motivation. It’s important to stay true to your process, form original ideas and not chase the trends. 2) MAKING YOUR OWN SCHEDULE is enticing, but the business side of freelancing, finding clients, booking yourself and staying connected with your network takes up a lot of time. Setting aside the time to focus on these things are just as important as the design work you do day-to-day. 3) STANDING OUT in the design industry can be extremely difficult — it’s a saturated, yet extremely small world out there. Be transparent with your clients, think differently and always look for the “what else?” in a project. And most importantly, be yourself. They hired you not only for your work but also for you. 4) SET A 3, 5 & 10 YEAR PLAN for where you want to be career-wise (tbh I’m still figuring this out for myself). There’s typically a clear career “ladder”… we all know and love it. But when you’re own your own it’s easy to stay within your comfort zone. I’m realizing you always need to push yourself to learn new things, meet new people and grow your “business”. Major achievements take time… and you won’t land bigger clients or cooler projects overnight. Gotta stay hungry. *BONUS* (and this one’s a shameless plug) — motion design and brand systems are my passion. When you’re passionate about your work it makes everything above easier, way more exciting and extremely fun. And isn’t that what it’s all about anyway? If you’ve made it this far… thanks for reading my Monday brain dump. Hopefully this resonates with someone out there. Onward! #branddesign #freelance #motiongraphics #broadcastdesign #mainedesign #motiondesign #branding