Getting Design Work in The Recession

Posted on 01. Nov, 2009 by Shoaib in Uncategorized

A bleak forecast for the near future with ever-rising prices of basic commodities have led many designers to become increasingly anxious of the fate of their careers. Hundreds of companies who previously would have jumped to re-design their websites are now more reserved on how they spend their dwindling cash-flow.

It has therefore become more important then ever to stand out from the crowd. I have therefore mentioned ways in which I would try to boost my business when the going goes tough.

1. Progress Your Skill

This perhaps goes without saying but this is a dynamic field with ever-changing and updating styles and colours, with new tools to adapt to and new fonts to utilise. Like any art, you have to keep with the game.

I doubt it will take you long to become better than most designers, a matter of a couple of years of learning, but to become a maven you must work harder and for longer. After becoming better than most designers you will be safe and can easily offer a better quality of service.

In order to establish your self, if you are starting out, you may wish to work for free. I would advise you to work for a non-profit organisation such as a charity. This will not only establish you, but progress your skill of working for a client.

2. Become Friendlier (but not too friendly)

When you speak with a potential client, if you can, try to create a rapport and talk about similar interests. This will help the client to see you more favourably, but don’t get too friendly or else you will feel guilty charging from them and may even be hurt.

Open up to clients and don’t stay so distant from them. Let the client know what kind of projects you are doing and why you would want to work for them.

3. Have an Outstanding Portfolio

Your portfolio is perhaps the first place where a client will look to see a sample of your work. Create an outstandingly sexy design for your portfolio and make it easy to use. You ought to upload your best work to this portfolio so the client can appreciate your skill.

Do not feel guilty about uploading the best of your work, as the client will expect this. If you upload some average work, the client will perceive this as your best.

Use colour, layout and typography on your site such that it is pleasing to the clients eyes. The last thing you want is for them to think you have a diabolically designed portfolio.

4. Marketing

Conventional marketing techniques should be implemented along with the crazier ones. Try flyers, business cards and cold calling along with using social network sites.

I have a post coming up on marketing which will cover the topic in more depth.

Final Word

Whatever you do, stay true to the principles which you started with. Do not let your skills diminish.

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13 Responses to “Getting Design Work in The Recession”

Getting Design Work in The Recession | Programming Blog

02. Nov, 2009

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02. Nov, 2009

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This post was mentioned on Twitter by freelanceapple: RT @dailydesignmag Getting Design Work in The Recession|Daily Design Mag http://bit.ly/1aU3kZ…
Amber Weinberg

02. Nov, 2009

Great tips and I’m glad the recession is easing up. I actually just finished a similar post on how to find clients using the web; and one of the tips included a great use of “cold-emailing” versus cold-calling.
Getting Design Work in The Recession | Design Newz

02. Nov, 2009

[...] Getting Design Work in The Recession [...]
ahmet maranki

03. Nov, 2009

very good design
Fred Epner

03. Nov, 2009

What I like to do is send out a blast to whomever happens to be in my gmail contacts and blast out a list of recent accomplishments, like being listed on a design site (not hard to do). then i remond them i’m a web developer and will happily give 10% for referrals. it always nets me a few solid leads.
55+ Fresh Community Links for Designers and Developers | tripwire magazine

03. Nov, 2009

[...] Getting Design Work in The Recession [...]
55+ Fresh Community Links for Designers and Developers | Programming Blog

04. Nov, 2009

[...] Getting Design Work in The Recession [...]
links for 2009-11-04 « random thoughts and casual ruminations

04. Nov, 2009

[...] Getting Design Work in The Recession | Daily Design Mag [...]
55+ Fresh Community Links for Designers and Developers | Master Design

05. Nov, 2009

[...] Getting Design Work in The Recession [...]
clippingimages

08. Nov, 2009

Awesome tips for designers to improve their popularity in recession. Hope this post will help designers. Thanks for sharing this nice post.
dot Blog. The week in links 09/11/09

09. Nov, 2009

[...] Getting Design Work In The Recession (dailydesignmag.com) [...]
Dwayne Cossey

09. Nov, 2009

Great post. Some very good advise!