Earlier 'Top Tip' from the
'The Freelance Fashion Designer's Handbook' by Paula Keech
Paula Keech - Freelance Fashion & Sportswear Designer
TOP TIP 17
THE REALITY OF LIFE AS A DESIGNER
(from Chapter 1, Setting up as a Freelance Designer)
I have been working as a freelance designer for over 20 years. I decided to become freelance when I moved to a new location. Speaking from personal experience, there is nothing I would rather do. I love my work and it gives me a great deal of pleasure and satisfaction, I would not swap it for the world. I have been fortunate enough to work with some wonderful people and on some very exciting and interesting projects that I would never have had the opportunity to do if I were in full-time employment.
TOP TIP 18
CALCULATING HOW LONG A PROJECT WILL TAKE
(from Chapter 4, Estimates & Invoices)
I have timed myself on numerous occasions and worked out a guide for estimating how long a project will take me. I sometimes include examples of my work, in PDF or JPG format, to give a guide to what is involved and illustrate how the work will be presented. I estimate expenses separately to give the client an overall idea of the total costs involved.