Summary

In this episode of 'Working with Designers', hosts Jake Cooper and Kristin Silva engage with Sean Clancy and Elina Picciocca, co-founders of Space Out Design. They discuss the realities of creative partnerships, the journey of starting a design studio, navigating roles and responsibilities, client relationships, and the challenges of transitioning to full-time freelancing. The conversation emphasizes the importance of financial strategies, mental health, and the design of one's life in the creative industry. In this conversation, Elina Picciocca, Jake Cooper, and Kristin Silva discuss the intricacies of managing a creative business, focusing on project processes, time estimation, financial goals, and the balance between work and personal life. They share insights on overcoming burnout, the transition from designer to business owner, and the importance of community support. The discussion also touches on productivity strategies, the role of music in creativity, and the necessity of setting boundaries to maintain a healthy work-life balance.

Takeaways

• Creative partnerships can enhance productivity and creativity.
• Navigating roles in a partnership is essential for success.
• Client relationships require clear communication and boundaries.
• Taking the leap into full-time freelancing is a significant decision.
• Financial strategies are crucial for sustaining a freelance business.
• Mental health plays a vital role in the creative process.
• Underestimating project hours can lead to burnout.
• It's important to find a balance between work and personal life.
• Designing your life is as important as designing for clients.
• Having a safety net can ease the transition into freelancing. We start breaking down every single project.
• We overestimate our ability to work fast.
• You have to do research and talk to the client.
• You have to have that kind of awareness.
• We figured out if we put our goal, we complete the goal on 70%.
• We start structured, but we spent like we weekend at least at the week we not work.
• You have to love the graphic design.
• Don't undercharge, price is self-perfectly.
• We went year and a half without day off.
• We start doing boundaries.

Chapters

00:00 Creative Partnerships and Business Beginnings

10:27 Balancing Full-Time Jobs and Entrepreneurship

15:03 The Dynamics of a Business Partnership

36:47 The Intersection of Law and Design

40:36 Taking the Leap: Transitioning to Full-Time Freelancing

54:48 Finding Balance: Mental Health and Work

59:54 Designing Your Life: The Business of Freelancing

01:15:01 Navigating Burnout in the Creative Industry

01:25:04 Finding Creative Flow and Productivity Hacks

01:48:07 Wrap-Up and Outro

Learn more

Spaceout Design

spaceoutdesign.com

Studio Quiche

studioquiche.com

Jake Cooper Design

jakecooperdesign.com

Working With Designers

workingwithdesigners.com

Keywords

creative partnerships, design studio, freelancing, client relationships, business strategies, design process, mental health, collaboration, entrepreneurship, design industry, project management, creative process, time estimation, financial goals, work-life balance, burnout, design business, pricing strategies, community support, productivity