This week, Michael, creative director at Riggs Partners, and I chew the fat about creative direction and how to best do the work by not doing it; the secret is ego and creative whistle-blower protection. We dissect when to be precious with an idea and when to just combine the damn pitches. He details what he looks for, beyond the core competencies, when hiring creatives. Then we search for the hook within the 3-second window of the "social media scroll" and how to find creative fulfillment through the noise of national agency bias. 

 

Maria (@StudioRia), illustrator, graphic designer and creator of Wordless News, talks about the power of a visual journal and using personal work to learn a new skill. We break down the challenges of creativity vs perfection in the world of social media as a working professional. Lastly, we take a deep dive into working with Art Directors, rates, difficult feedback, and finding creative fulfillment in client work.

https://mariafabrizio.com/

- Wordless news - http://wordlessnews.com/
- Ferguson Wordless News - tinyurl.com/MF-112514
- Agency Access - https://www.agencyaccess.com/

This week, Jacob (@jacobrmotion) and I talk about working in a small market while taking on international clients, and the value of networking through school. We discuss how to grow your social media presence in a meaningful way that actually gets work, and the return on investment of daily posting. Then we take a dive into the financial mysteries of freelance and taxes, project vs day rates, client red flags, and his work-life balance while working from home. 

Show notes -

- The Freelance Manifesto
- The Futur with Chris Do
- School of Motion

Stephen (@stephenberke) talks about becoming a member of your creative community, owning your own gear, strategically chosen free work, cutting a reel, starting a new client base, the personal sacrifice of high profile projects, what success is, and allowing yourself time to get there. -----

www.berkecreative.com/ -----

• Demo Reel - https://vimeo.com/215614239 -----
• Ghost in the Gun - https://youtu.be/T-xSGZfacJM ------
• Deltron 3030 - https://youtu.be/54l0aJH7r0A -----

David (@dzorn) talks about day to day details of working in different offices, strategy in setting your day rate (with actual prices!), the hold and challenge system, not getting too comfortable, keeping your skills sharp, and the importance of a good kick in the ass. -----

venicebeachpost.com

Melissa (@mmverdugo), freelance producer and manager of programs at Women in Films in Los Angeles (wif.org), talks about breaking into the industry, organic and authentic networking, the full-time hustle, why freelancers get paid more, piggy backing projects, how the producer of Tiger King made any money, and the pure joy of a well organized spreadsheet. 

Show notes -----

• I Need A Producer Facebook Group - link -----
• Production Hub - link -----

Chris (@altostratusco) talks about freelancing while keeping a day job, online criticism, making work for yourself, the leap from student to professional pricing, a client’s perception of an hourly vs day rate, and the importance of answering emails.

behance.net/altostratus -----

Show notes -----

• Graphic Design Forum - https://www.graphicdesignforum.com ----- 
• Chris Do, Pricing Models - https://youtu.be/FbjVD8MWpv4 ----- 
• Wave, accounting app - https://www.waveapps.com/ -----
• AIGA Brewery Event - https://charlotte.aiga.org/event/beer-branding-kickoff-2019  ----- 
• Teagan White - www.teaganwhite.com ----- 
• Adventures in Design Podcast - https://soundcloud.com/Aidpodcast -----

Katie (@katietylerpurnell) talks about how she started freelancing, building a client base in a new city, finding a mentor, and understanding your professional value.

www.katiepurnell.com/

Forrest (@forrestclonts)talks about how he started freelancing, client red flags, using contracts, and loving every element of the job (or you won't succeed).

www.forrestcstudio.com/