Let’s just get right to it—
If you don’t already know me, I’m Sydney—an independent digital designer. I’m starting this newsletter as a place to document my thoughts (eh hem, opinions) about being a technology focused designer and all things freelance.
It’s funny, I spend most of my time designing cool shit for clients, creating and refining processes, drafting up potentially awkward emails, prepping proposals, and so many other things that I almost never get to talk about. Yeah, sure, I’ve got friends. They, however, definitely do not want to discuss various contract clauses—they have no need for it and I’d much rather hear about their latest bad date.
To save my friends from me droning on about things that don’t apply to them, I’m going to start writing everything down here. From what’s inspiring me lately to things that grind my gears and everything I’ve learned in becoming a freelance designer. Part of this journey I completely stumbled into, even though all the signs pointed towards me working on User Interfaces. Part of me had a clear vision of what I wanted to do since I was 13.
Not that long ago, I was a young 19 year old girl selling hand painted mugs to families and friends during a brief interlude from college. It was during that time that I created Sydopia as my creative entity, which has since grown into my freelance practice where I design apps and websites to a whole slew of amazing clients. Not that long ago, I was a college student studying in Northrop Auditorium, drinking coffee at 4pm, researching everything I could about freelance designers—how they did it, where they started and whatever other advice I could glean.
So, maybe it’s my turn to write about that journey and pay it forward to all the designers coming up behind me. It’s a new world, things have changed, and I believe that each and every person has the power within them to create something that feels right and authentic to them. My biggest advice: take what resonates and leave the rest. I’m not going to pretend that I’m not intense. Or blunt. Or opinionated (we’ve already established this). I am most certainly not for everyone. I will tell you, however, that I do not know everything. All I know is what worked for me. Just remember that you will always know what’s best for you better than anyone else. Even if I do sound like I have a lot of authority.
If you’ve gotten this far into a rather lengthy post, thank you. Hopefully, you’re also a designer or a freelancer and you’ll find this info relevant to you. Apparently I’ve got a lot to say. So let’s get to it, shall we?
Xo,
Sydney