Inkers

First off, sorry if this is in the wrong area, I really wasn't too sure where I was supposed to put it as it didn't really seem to fit any of the other criteria and considering it's an informal post as opposed to specifically related to a theme this seemed to be the best place.

Anyhoo, moving on.

I'm looking to take the first steps as a freelance designer and get my name out there a bit to start bringing in some small jobs which I can use to build my portfolio and my abilities. But it's a bit of a catch 22 situation, on the one hand I feel I lack the experience that would give me the confidence to flat out offer my services but at the same time I can't get the experience without well... experience.

At the moment I've been 'hired' as a freelancer by a small web design firm and am doing jobs such as site redesign and building in HTML/CSS (though at the moment I am by no means profficient) I've also been working on various small design projects with some introduction to content management systems.

At the moment the skills I feel I am able to offer, right now reside in simple site design (ie very straight forward with no other language requirements), logo design, vector illustration, stationary layouts/design, photo editing/clean up. I also have some basic Flash experience (timeline based, not actionscript) and I am familiar with software such as Poser and Bryce.

There's probably other things I can do but I'm a little bit fuzzy ^^;; (it's late here)

So yes, looking for some advice, pointers and... anything people think will possibly help me in this little quest of mine.

Thanks all

delusion

When I started out I found out that you don't want to be insecure. Tell your clients you can do anything. I got my first client just by networking. Knowing people, asking about their website.. small talk basicly.. Let them know you're in webdesign, and you're really good (don't exaggerate though). Don't be afraid to take on more than your knowledge goes.

When I got my first client I was relieved he only needed a simple site. My second site was more difficult, and that's where my friend came in. I knew he had more php experience, and he could help me out with a lot of stuff.

ALWAYS show your client what you're doing, and ALWAYS show a few others what you're doing to push your own creativity and boundaries.

Keep learning..

cosmicbdog

Inkers, see if you can turn your negatives into positives. In an infinite universe, we are eternally infantile in any area. In the IT movement, it changes more than any paradigm so if you can make your willingness to adapt a quality you have some value to offer. Your clients don't have the same willingness to adapt and thats why they will need your service.

I started freelance about 7 years ago and took it one step at a time. I had no concept of coding, design or anything. I just knew it was a good field to be in. Gradually I learned about creating good looking designs (which came with a great willingness to try new things... learn from things I was inspired by such as other successful sites and logos etc) and then I learned to create function to those designs. I had no idea that I had within me the ability to eventually completely create and manage a whole online application that has 200 active affiliates that has promoted events all around the world with 20,000 online bookings in the last year.

My suggestion is to continually challenge yourself. KNOW that you can do whatever you set your mind to. Over commit (even though people will say be careful of that) but the way diamonds are forged is through immense amounts of pressure deep below the surface. Carbon that never gets that immense pressure never becomes much. If you dedicate yourself to changing and understanding your clients needs, and letting them see how you are doing that, they will be able to understand the value you're providing. Come across as an equal business person, not a servant... you're service is your skills you have, but its also what you can't do that you are willing to do. The unknown territory... thats the web.

if you're not willing to lose something... such as your pride, then you just stay in the same box you've always been in. Personally, I found by diving in, like it sounds like what you're doing I've been overwhelmed and uncertain many times, but it forced something new out of me... just like diamond gets forced out of carbon.

All the best. Just my 2 cents