Designer’s nightmare

About those foolish drawings people wants you to make…

I’m sure you have read those post and pics that literally say that you have to respect your work, this is not a little drawing, my work takes lots of my time, if I don’t get a compensation I’m not doing anything, yada yada yada. And you are totally right! as a designer you should be able to work and get pay! I believe this happens a lot lately and be sure it’s not only in your field, But the thing is... And this is what I think:

Are you really working so much at the moment that you can’t design your aunt’s kitchen? Are you sure you have an incredible job that doesn’t give you the time to dedicate 5 minutes to paint your friend’s whatever wants you to paint, Or maybe you are too famous and busy to give some advises to your mothers friends in what fabric to buy for whatever they’re sewing… If you are a happy worker with short spare time I understand but if you are unemployed or you just got out of college or you had only one tiny working experience that nobody cares about, I say: wake up and smell the empty wallet baby! I mean what is it going to change you? Seriously, is this going to take you that much time? if you know it is not a big client, you don’t have to make the Eiffel tower, I’m not saying just because you are doing it for free you will make a crappy design, but if you are as designer as you think you are you should be able to cut time and effort to get an awesome design that satisfies your client even if they pay you with cookies.

I had done collaboration work, trading offers, freelance jobs, designs for this or that cause or just for family love (the worst love by the way) And none of them have given me any money, that is true! But I am very happy because at the end this is what I got:

• Design practice: just one more exercise where you can prove you can make this work, You know when they say “can you fix this?” and you look at the problem and you are thinking OMG, it’s impossible with a low budget and a terrible taste, this is going to be a disaster but, If you can make a heaven out a living hell, this would prove to you that you are a good designer, I mean would a recognized enterprise would hire you if you can’t even do small things like your ant’s kitchen? Shame on you!
•  Imagination openers: sometimes happens when you are working on those foolish drawings that you strangely get inspired to make other things, you get another vibe, and somehow an idea comes by. Be open and welcome those new ideas!
• Network: somehow you start building a network of people that you could need in the future, be clever and exchange business cards and fb accounts with models, photographers, constructers, supplier, and talk to them, let them know what is you speciality and maybe they will contact you for upcoming projects.
• Friends of friends may transform into real clients: never to say no at a project because it looks you are not going to get anything out of it, it could always leads you to the right clients, in my case it did!
• Lasting fans: People that follow you, believe in you and they are willing to help you in anything, and believe me, those are the people that matters because generally no ex bosses would offer their houses or nicest meals or loan you money.