Illustrating for Digital Platforms

Freelancing Is Too Unstable to Be a Full-Time Career. You’ve heard it a million times… It’s what the naysayers and doubters love to proclaim. An unpredictable way to make ends meet. _____________________________________________ And for a while… I bought into it too. Guess what?? They are not entirely wrong. Lol As someone who used to be a freelancer (product packaging designer) here on Linkedin, I have had my own fair share of the harsh realities of freelancing & honestly, there are days you wish you hadn't listened to your friend “Sukki” & quit your 9-5 job because even though that environment was toxic, at least it gave you some form of job security. _____________________________________________ In 2022, I had built a thriving, full-time freelance career here. And I did it WITHOUT the constant uncertainty. How? A few simple strategies… _____________________________________________ 🔴Diversify Your Client Base. Don’t rely on just one or two clients. Spread the risk, and you’ll find stability. 🔴Master the Art of Upselling. Turn one-off projects into ongoing partnerships by offering extra value. _____________________________________________ 🔴Create a Personal Brand. Make yourself stand out. Show the world what makes you unique. 🔴Leverage Technology. Use the latest tools to streamline your workflow and connect with high-paying clients. 🔴Invest in Continuous Learning. Keep growing your skills, and you’ll stay in demand. _____________________________________________ 🔴Implement a Subscription-Based Model. This was a game-changer for me. Instead of waiting for clients to come to me sporadically, I offered my services on a subscription basis. Here’s how it works: I provided clients with a monthly package where they’d get a set number of design hours or projects each month. This gave them a predictable cost and ensured they always had my support when they needed it. For me, it meant a steady, predictable income stream. No more feast-or-famine cycle. And here’s a crucial lesson I learned the hard way: You don’t need 500 new clients every month to make ends meet. The larger the number, the more worn out you get, and the less chance you have of delivering quality work. Instead, you only need a few clients who truly value what you do. As long as you deliver, they’ll stick with you for life. _____________________________________________ I’ve put a more clear and thorough breakdown of these and more in a video course. Check my featured section to get started if you're a freelancer or professional looking to scale. Did you learn something new today?

And just like that, a client assigned me six projects through February 2026, totalling $3000. Not life-changing money, but steady work in an uncertain market. I know budgets are frozen, projects are paused, brands are trying to figure out how to leverage AI, and freelancers are holding their breath. But the freelance work is still out there. It might be harder to find these days, but here's what I've learned: Relationships and reputation are recession-proof. When companies are ready to invest again, they turn to freelancers they trust—those who've consistently delivered quality work, met deadlines, and made their lives easier. If you're feeling the squeeze right now: ✅ Keep nurturing existing client relationships. ✅ Focus on being remarkably reliable in every interaction. ✅ Remember that consistency builds the foundation for future opportunities. The market will shift. When it does, the freelancers who've invested in trust and quality will be first in line. #freelancelife #clientrelationships #freelancetips #freelancesuccess

I found a trick to make portfolio creation 10x easier. Before you *design* your portfolio, *write* your portfolio. I know it’s tempting to jump straight into the design tool. But hang on for a moment…and consider these 3 steps: 1/ Create your outline - Open a text document - Type a list of each page you will include - Under each page, type each section - On your “projects” page, list each project Bam, at this point you have the full outline. It’s better to be here right now with text. If you arrive here first in the design tool you’ll stress too much over pixels. Now it’s easy to decide if this is the right direction before committing. 2/ Get inspired by other designers - Find 3 portfolios you admire - Scroll through their site - Write a list of the pages/sections they include - See if they do anything you love that inspires yours Congrats, now you enhanced your structure without moving a single design pixel. 3/ Add the meat - Type out the content you wish to include under each page/section - This may include your positioning statement, bio, project overviews, visuals to include, etc. Super, now you’ve just given yourself a blueprint for your entire portfolio. — The key is to write with words what you hope to see with your eyes. If you jump into the tool first, you’ll get overwhelmed with decisions. By writing your portfolio first you made 100+ decisions while the structure was more malleable. It’s easier to edit words than it is to edit polished pixels. Way to go, you are amazing.

Today marks my 1 year anniversary at Activision Player Support 💙 ! Here are 3 lessons I learned as a UI Designer at Activision in year 1. (there's *so* many more.. but I'll keep this concise) 1. Clear communication and alignment: Establish a deep understanding of project requirements early on, assess project scope comprehensively, and have the courage to speak up with any questions (Don't be afraid to say you don't know something. You won't look less competent, and it's likely this will help others understand something more deeply too!). 2. Early cross-disciplinary involvement and collaboration: Identify who else will be touching this project. Stakeholders, content designers, developers, testers, data analysts, etc.. and integrate them as early as possible. Consider collaboration opportunities, and foster transparent communication. 3. Effective presentation: Present new designs with context of the user's story, the rest of the product, and with plenty of rationale. Meticulously prepare for stakeholder presentations. Practice the balancing act of genuinely listening to and receiving feedback, and also defending your design decisions - if you have the research and data to back it up. You may also find yourself supported if you've been collaborating with others on the team throughout the design process, as folks could feel invested and represented in the design too. Encourage everyone to use their voice, then listen closely and respectfully. Like I said, there's SO many more lessons I learned this year, these are just three pivotal lessons that greatly fueled my growth as a designer, and enriched project outcomes. Onward to year 2 💙 #uiuxdesign #designsuccess #uidesign #productdesign

As an introvert, I struggle with cold outreach. It’s awkward + painful. However, I managed to land 3 clients in my first month of freelancing. Here’s how I did it: 🤝 Network. I know. It sounds scary, but it doesn’t have to be. I eased into it by connecting with other freelancers and supporting their work. Eventually, I sent DMs and asked for coffee chats as I prefer to build real relationships. The result: My first client was referred to me by another designer who liked my work. 👂Listen more than I speak. During my first discovery call, I asked a lot of questions and then shut up and listened. The result: The client said that unlike other calls they had been on, they felt heard. This ultimately won me the gig. 💬 Rekindle old relationships. When I was 18, I created a sucky logo for a small business owner 😅 Recently, I reached out to fix my wrongdoing—for free. The client was excited with the result and trusted me to work on a full rebrand. The result: They are my highest-paying client to date. 🌱 Nurture my clients. My first client returned because they were impressed with my process and how I go the extra mile. I had offered referrals for work outside my skills and included a surprise deliverable as a thank-you. The result: They’ve returned for an even higher-paying project. The little details matter a lot! For full transparency: I “lost'” a prospect because of imposter syndrome. But I don’t count it as a loss because I’m still nurturing that lead by having frequent check-ins. If you’re struggling to get leads, I highly recommend building a strong network and nurturing old/current clients. These steps have helped me, and I hope they help you too! What other advice would you give a new freelancer looking to find leads?🤔 📸 Nurturing my clients (let’s just roll with the analogy, ok? 😉) #freelancelife #freelancedesign #creativegrowth #branddesigner

It's a ⚡️HOT⚡️ topic right now—landing work as a FREELANCER—and having hired freelancers for 12+ years at GAP and eBay, and currently working as a consultant myself, I wanted to share my top strategies to help you "land" your next client... 1. Be Top of Mind Send out monthly availability updates to all producers and contacts, both current and prospective. A simple "Availability - Megan O'Brien AD July" type of email works wonders. Get creative too—consider sending a video text or another unique method to just provide a nice breath of fresh air from the millions of other stressful notes they receive! As someone hired to create and direct photography content, the goal is to stand out! 2. Be Original Don't send a generic note. You are the only YOU with your unique resume, gifts, talents, experiences. Make your communication personal! Share what excites you each month. For example, if I'm obsessed with shooting nature and tropical foliage, I might include a batch of a vibrant still-life images and say, "I love this color of ombre in this series." or "Spring is blooming." You catch the drift. 3. "Test" in Your Desired Space Testing can be tough, we all know, but it's essential. Before working with Levi's, I worked with savvy folks in the Bay Area on a classic Americana style creative exploration. When I sent my availability note, I'd add my recent test images to demonstrate why I specifically love art directing denim, how it's a blank canvas to tell stories, etc. Showcasing real-life examples as they might appear on a client’s site or socials is crucial. And, Producers love visuals. 4. Build Rapport Start your notes to clients with a open ended question, a check-in like, "How's business going this month?" or "I saw your new intimates launch, and the collection looks fantastic." Show genuine investment and authenticity. Remember, you are literally an extension of the brand and creative team. Don’t hesitate to share professional tidbits about yourself that enhance your work either. Being yourself- and human adds a personal touch that sets you apart. 5. Be Consistent You might feel like a stalker, (lord knows I have!) but consistency is key. Keep reaching out month after month, even year after year. Eventually, you’ll get a response like, "Love the inspo! Can we put you on hold for the week of XYZ?" Persistence pays off! And you just never know when it's your time! 6. Be Clear on Aligned brands (for you!!) Get CLEAR on who your ideal client is, and more importantly why? If you're an avid swimmer, surfer and also a photographer, that synergy is invaluable. Brands want to know how your passions align with their needs. As creatives, merging our lives and work creates an even more powerful connection! So, KEEP SHOWING UP, keep being YOU, and keep sending out those availability notes! There are amazing clients out there who can't wait to meet you. Here's to crushing the summer!

Client relationships don't fail because of your work. They fail because of poor communication. After analyzing 100+ client relationships... I discovered a framework that increased retention by 85%: The C.L.E.A.R Method: 1. Connect ↳ Start with genuine curiosity ↳ Ask about their vision, not just their needs ↳ Find common ground beyond the project 2. Listen ↳ Take detailed notes during calls ↳ Reflect back what you hear ↳ Look for what's not being said 3. Establish Expectations ↳ Document every deliverable ↳ Set realistic timelines ↳ Create clear success metrics 4. Adapt ↳ Regular check-ins (not just when things go wrong) ↳ Pivot based on feedback ↳ Anticipate challenges before they happen 5. Respond ↳ Reply within agreed timeframes ↳ Own mistakes quickly ↳ Provide solutions, not excuses The results? → 85% better retention → Fewer scope creep issues → Higher client satisfaction → More referrals Because strong communication isn't just about being responsive. It's about being intentional. 💡 Which of these steps do you struggle with most? ♻️ Share if this framework could help someone you know 🔔 Follow for more client relationship strategies

Let’s chat about the purpose of a portfolio because I feel like this is getting lost in translation somewhere. The purpose of a portfolio is to highlight your skills and abilities. You are showcasing what makes you uniquely you with your designs and what you could bring to a team and an organization. In order to do this, you need to tell a story around the designs. The most common mistake I see when reviewing portfolios is that the person will share a screenshot or a PPT file and not provide any context around it. Hiring managers can make an educated guess as to why you created this artifact and how you did something, but that’s the main problem is that they are guessing. They could be 100% wrong in their assumptions. You want your portfolio outlined in a way that if you were not present, they would still be able to understand the big picture. To do this, consider adding these talking points: - Summary of the project - Problem / Goals - Objectives - Stakeholders - Your role on the project - Target audience - Design process - Tools - Deliverables - Reflections In my opinion, this should give insight into everything and then, when you have your interview, the hiring manager should have a much better understanding of you as a designer. And most likely, they will want to dive in deeper into your portfolio projects, and you’ll be ready because you’re prepared (and awesome). Of course, if you have more questions around portfolios and how to make them, there is a whole week in Instructional Design Institute dedicated to portfolios. The next cohort starts in 12 days and I can't wait to nerd out with folks!

10 things that transformed my freelance business: 1️⃣ Request Payment Upfront → Always ask for a 50% deposit or full payment before starting.   → Set clear deadlines for any remaining payments. 2️⃣ Use a Freelance Contract → Your contract should cover everything: scope, deadlines, and payment terms.   → Include a notice period (two weeks at least) if either party wants to end the project. 3️⃣ Set Clear Boundaries → Define your working hours and when you’re available.   → Inform clients in advance about any planned absences or unavailability. 4️⃣ Stay Organized with Records → Keep your documents well-organized by client or project.   → Use cloud-based storage so you can easily access everything from anywhere. 5️⃣ Clarify Deliverables → Make it clear what’s included in each project and what’s not.   → Provide a timeline for when deliverables will be submitted and approved. 6️⃣ Upgrade Your Services → Regularly improve your offerings and adjust pricing based on the value you’re delivering.   → Launch new services in response to client needs and feedback. 7️⃣ Create a Standard Onboarding Process → Have a clear and consistent process for bringing on new clients.   → Send them an email outlining next steps and setting expectations. 8️⃣ Showcase Case Studies → Use detailed case studies in your portfolio to show your impact.   → Highlight before-and-after examples to demonstrate the results you deliver. 9️⃣ Focus on Long-Term Client Relationships → Regularly check in with your clients to discuss progress and gather feedback.   → Be transparent and address any concerns quickly to build trust. 🔟 Review and Adjust Your Rates → Make a habit of reviewing and updating your rates regularly.   → Be prepared to explain the value behind any price increase. If you’re freelancing:   Plan: Implement these strategies from the beginning.   Execute: Use them on every project.   Reflect: Continuously review and improve. These changes helped me streamline my business, making things easier for both me and my clients. P.S. Want a detailed freelance checklist? It’s in my newsletter today! Get it here: https://lnkd.in/eHZPeVP2

After reviewing thousands of design portfolios over the years, I’ve noticed a critical mistake that 90% of designers make: they don’t demonstrate the impact of their work. It’s not enough to showcase polished visuals or detail your design process. What truly sets a portfolio apart is highlighting the difference your work made. And remember, impact isn’t always about boosting revenue or hitting business KPIs. It comes in many forms: • A Success Story from a Single User: Maybe your redesign of an app feature helped a user complete tasks twice as fast, reducing their frustration and improving their experience. Sharing that story shows empathy and real-world impact. • Influencing Strategic Decisions: Perhaps you presented user research that convinced stakeholders to pivot the product strategy, leading to a more user-centric approach. That’s impact at a strategic level. • Enhancing Team Dynamics: Did you introduce a new collaboration tool or workflow that made your team more efficient and cohesive? Improving the way your team works is a significant contribution. Tips to Showcase Impact in Your Portfolio: 1. Tell the Story Behind Your Work: Go beyond the final design. Explain the problem, your approach to solving it, and the resulting positive change. 2. Include Testimonials or Feedback: If possible, add quotes from users, team members, or stakeholders who benefited from your work. 3. Highlight Diverse Impacts: Show a range of impacts—user satisfaction, team improvements, strategic influence—not just business metrics. 4. Use Before-and-After Comparisons: Visuals or data that illustrate the difference your design made can be very compelling. By clearly demonstrating your work's impact, you show what you did and why it mattered. This makes your portfolio memorable and sets you apart from many others that focus solely on aesthetics. Remember, your designs can make a difference—in people’s lives, your team, and your organization. Make sure your portfolio tells that story. Have you highlighted the impact of your work in your portfolio? I’d love to hear how you’ve showcased it!