PIXL Designs

As promised, this week we’ll kick of a series on how we have implemented certain tools to help us in our freelance efforts. While not an exhaustive list, these should give you a good understanding of what/why you need something before you spend your hard-earned cash on something pointless.

Organizational Skills
Before you do anything else, you need to get organized. You need to develop a system for storing projects and their files on your computer or an external hard drive in a way that is easy to manage. And don’t forget to backup the files on a regular basis. This seems like common sense, but so many designers fall into prey for bad organization.

Just when you least expect it, a client calls will 8 months after their project and request that logo they sent for their project’s second page on the third revision. And while you are at it, they really liked you second revision and they’d like a copy of that as well. While you are stumbling over your words, your mind will definitely race back to when you first set the project up. And you’ll either freak. Or you’ll smile because you organized your project really well.

I currently assign all my clients call letters. For example one of my clients, Quartzsite Southern Baptist Church is QSBC. Then I organize a client’s project files by the month and day the design began. E.g. QSBC 0109 Would refer to Quartzsite SBC’s January 9th project. In addition, I use these call letters for invoices and estimates. This does two things for me: it keeps me organized; and it sets a date to the project that corresponds to the estimate and/or invoice.

There are many ways to stay organized and we will be discussing some Web-based practical tools throughout this week. Stay tuned and be sure to comment with your own advice on how to develop good organizational skills.

Lately I have been pondering the term UI – User Interface. The reason I have been doing so is I think it transcends Web design and computer graphics. Now UI is everywhere and is being redefined as how you interact with various ‘interfaces’ throughout your day. As a freelancer, my UI is how I interact with my clients and my artboard.

If I am trying to get my clients to buy into my services, but don’t have a portfolio to show off. Then I have bad UI.

If I am working on projects for my clients but don’t give them any timetables or progress reports. Then I have bad UI.

If I do really great work but don’t take the time to explain why I designed something in the way I did. Then I have bad UI.

It is essential as freelancers that we take the time to ask ourselves what experience we are designing for our clients. The beauty of Apple, DisneyWorld, and Southwest’s successes are defined in the experience you have using their products or services. Next week I’ll be sharing some of the practical things we have incorporated into our business to help it run efficiently and smoothly, while giving our clients a consistent experience. We aren’t perfect, but we have definitely recognized the need for a great experience. Then we have good UI.

Anxiety is defined by Wiktionary.org as “an unpleasant state of mental uneasiness or concern about some uncertain event.” This is probably the biggest obstacle I have had to learn to overcome when it relates to running my own business. I can be the most vocal person at times and be shier than a mouse at others. My main problem stems from dealing with hearing loss since birth and wondering if I will catch everything or end up saying “yes” when someone asked me a question. But this is only an excuse. Here are some tips to how I’ve learned to deal with anxiety as it relates to my freelance business:

1. Music. It has often been said that music relaxes the mind. eHow even has a post on why this is is true. I find it keeps my mind from focusing on the fears that I have of introducing myself to a new client, calling a potential client or even sending my clients a bill reminder.
2. Remember Braveheart. Okay, this one may sound funny, but it’s very true. Bravery can help you overcome anxiety. Envisioning this scene always pumps me up when William Wallace (Mel Gibson) yells out to the troops, “Aye, fight and you may die. Run, and you’ll live… at least a while. And dying in your beds, many years from now, would you be willin’ to trade ALL the days, from this day to that, for one chance, just one chance, to come back here and tell our enemies that they may take our lives, but they’ll never take… OUR FREEDOM!” If you don’t remember it, then watch it now.
3. Remember it’s over soon. The final thing that always helps me get past my anxiety is knowing that it’s going to be over soon. Whatever it is I’m about to face. Sometimes it’s been a difficult phone call, breaking off a relationship with a client that treated me poorly, or repeated phone calls/email to get paid for services I completed. I am human and hate to annoy people and so when I know I’m entering an uncomfortable situation I become really anxious. Listening to music helps those nerves, remembering Braveheart can really pump me up, but the thing that matters most is reminding myself it will be over before I know it.

I hope these tips resonated with you in some way. Freelancing is hard work and we don’t take it lightly. We feel all the client pressures, the financial setbacks, the headaches, and much more. Just remember that tomorrow is a new day with new possibilities, not anxieties.

After nearly two years of experience, we have encountered several ups and downs in the world of freelance business. Our goal is to share our past, current and future experiences on this blog in hopes that you can learn from and laugh at our mistakes, utter failures, and our rare successes.

This past year, 2009, was incredibly tough as the economy was down. Many people had to put in extra hours at their own jobs and therefore their freelance time shrunk. Here a few lessons we have learned on how to stay adept during stressful economic times.

Stay Active
This is the most important thing for freelance designers. We’re not talking about actively looking for new jobs either. We are talking about getting off the couch and working out, running, taking a walk, or doing some Wii Fit strength training. Anything. Studies show that it is important to stay active because it keeps you in good health both physically and mentally. The freelance world can be hit or miss. One minute you have plenty of work and the next you have none. This can take a toll on your mind and it can be really easy to have a negative view. Staying active can help fight the freelance blues and keep you focused on the tasks at hand.

Focus
You probably saw this one coming. Focus is the key in the freelance world. Without a focus, you will die. Don’t try to be all things to all people, try to be the best at what you are good at. There is always going to be someone who is better than you out there, but if you have razor focus, you can build your client base and develop strong relationships that will retain those clients. Keeping your focus can also enable you to keep your mind and skills sharp. Reading blogs, taking design tutorials, or simply mapping out your values are all great things to engage in.

Creative
Freelancers are creative by nature. You have to be if you want to survive. Now this isn’t simply an artistic term, but rather one that shows of your personality. You need to be creative in how you reach out to customers, how you communicate with existing ones, and how you show off your services. When is the last time you called a client? Sent them breakfast? Invested some time into your relationship with them outside of sending them a bill and a business card? Get creative! Freelancing is hard work and you definitely have to work to get and keep clients. Quit spending time chasing white rabbits and instead get creative in reaching out to the strongest clients you do have.

This list probably isn’t the most exhaustive in the world, but it does give a small overview of some very practical things you can do to keep your ideas fresh and your freelance business thriving.

PIXL Designs is relaunching with an improved look and focus. For the past two years we have been hard at work learning the ins and outs of running a design business. We are happy to have served more than 11 outstanding clients (I won’t embarrass the not-so-outstanding ones by listing them here). We are really excited to report that between 2008 to 2009 our business grew 25% in revenue and our Web traffic increased 854% with visits from 54 countries! During this time we designed Web sites, direct mail pieces, email news updates, high school soccer shirts and even trade show videos. It was an interesting year, but now it’s time regain our focus, renew our service commitment and reach out to ministries in need of our design services.

Refocus
We are constantly working to hone our business ideals and craft. Through some trial and error this past year, we are slowly but surely understanding why we offer what we offer. It is really hard to stay consistent with your mission and values when clients pull you in many directions that may compromise these. In the past we worked hard to just please our clients even if it compromised our integrity at times. We are moving forward and refocusing on our values and maintaining our integrity which is so important in today’s business world. In addition, we are not only delivering design services to clients but we are answering the question of why? Why did we choose to do this design in this? What is the significance of it and how does it add value to you as a customer? These are just a few questions we will be answering for our clients as we refocus to help them market and brand themselves.

Service
We have always been committed to quality service. But we have learned much more on what this means in the past two years since launching PIXL Designs. If we feel a job request is beyond our expertise or technical skill level, we will work to partner you with some of the vendors we love and trust. We have developed partnerships that we believe will deliver the service you deserve. We are not afraid to say no to a project. But rather than leave you at the door, we want to help bridge that gap by increasing our level of service to you through the different partnerships we have formed.

Ministry
Here at PIXL Designs, we view our business as a viable tool for ministries to take advantage of. We offer great rates to churches (especially church plants) and other ministries. We are Christians that believe what we do on earth can often have an eternal significance. And so we stay up-to-date on ministry trends that can help your church or ministry reach out to more people in new and creative ways.

If you are looking for help with Web design, graphic design or marketing then don’t hesitate to start a conversation with us today! We are primed and ready for an exciting year and can’t wait to help you achieve the results you need!

Finally, you will notice some changes going on here as we’ve retooled PIXL Designs while we are participating in Beta testing with Standard.Theme, a new Wordpress theme produced by John Saddington. John has an amazing focus and ministry through his designs for NorthPoint Community Church and various others including Michael Hyatt, CEO of Thomas Nelson located here in Nashville.