Posted by Raphael on Jan 3, 2011 in How To, My Business Adventures | 0 comments

I thought this post “For free or not for free” to be a good summary of the challenges a young designer might face getting into the marketplace. It’s really tough.

I was lucky enough to have had the chance to make my mistakes stepping into design while employed…so I took my lumps at someone else’s expense. It was an opportunity rarely afforded for a newbie designer. When you first start, you have no credibility, no name recognition, and often a very slim portolio by which to demonstrate your skills.

So do you start by doing free work?

The commentary that follows the blog has a few good words of advice. Namely, if you’re NOT going to get paid… make SURE you’re getting something out of it, whether you’re going to make new contacts or learn some new skills (whether it be in design or simply skills in client relations and negotiating).

Just don’t let someone take advantage of you just because you’re a newbie by giving you the gimpiest work that gets you nowhere fast.