Overall I've found the process surrounding the creative report very helpful as it has highlighted some thinking points surrounding setting up on my own/going freelance. As the main focus of my questions was setting up on your own and the issues faced, the advice gained has helped me consider if this is the right option for me. I’ve chosen to contact a number of people, with Hungry Sandwich Club and Benjamin Craven responding. I chose who to contact based on successful designers that I like who've successful set up on their own. I chosen Benjamin as I like how his practice leads him onto different projects and thats he's not confided to one medium as he makes prints, cushions, chairs and other interiors. Furthermore I chose Hungry Sandwich Club (Andy and Martin) as I like there distinct style and use of animation, and I've contacted them previously talking about one of there projects so already had a relationship to build off. The main aspects raised throughout both interviews was 'work out your day rate... £250 is a good place to start' as this is something I've always been unsure about as personally as a new designer I wasn't sure what was too much or too little to charge. In addition Andy and Martin raised the point of having to be highly self motivated and make sure you’re giving 100% every day, which is something I think I already do as I have a strong work ethic. However the main point both raise was having an image or a niche that will help you stand out from every other designer, as both Ben Craven and the Hungry Sandwich Club have a distinct style which has allowed them to be successful as clients come to them as they are known for producing high quality work in a specific style/area. Personally I don't have a style yet as I think my strengths lie in being able to apply my skills to the brief allowing research and idea generation to inform the aesthetic rather than my personal style. However this is sort of a niche but I don't think it's strong enough to standout against others if I where to go freelance straight out of university. Therefor the process of interviewing people has allowed me to realise that I would benefit from industry experience/working in industry in a studio with a similar approach to me such as Alphabet in order to gain more awareness as to where I would fit in and help refine my skills to an industry standard before considering trying freelance or setting up my own studio. The overall process of contacting different designers/studio has built my confidence in relation to contacting people in industry as before I was nervous/felt as though I’d be bothering them. However this process has shown me that people are willing to talk, you’ve just got to ask and be patient. Unfortunately some designer didn’t get back to me such as Ben Mottershead, Alphabet and Franklyn. Although this was disappointing I feel I’ve learnt a lot from talking to Ben Craven and Andy and Martin as I’ve learnt about setting up on your own, particularly the issues faced and what to expect if I was to do this further down the line. Furthermore it’s also been interesting to find out what made each of them want to work for themselves and what drives them to keep going through the difficult times, especially the first year, as Andy and Martin are now fully established in Leeds after working for 4 years to build up a client base and Ben who’s been working for himself for around 2 years after starting to sell prints in 2016. Talking to people at slightly different stages has been interesting to find out the different struggles they face during the day-to-day as well as over the years.
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