Author Archives: admin
Overwhelmingly sad
I am saddened by the EU Referendum result. Overwhelmingly so.
And unfortunately, almost 50% of those who voted are, not to mention those who didn't get to vote who will have to live with the consequences much longer than we folk who got to put our cross in the box. In fact, of the 64 million living in the UK, only 17 million are definitely up for leaving, which leaves around 47 million having this situation thrust upon them... I am saddened for a number of reasons (read my previous blog!) as I fear that my nieces and those of their generation won't get to share the same freedoms that I have taken for granted - be it equality rights, working rights or travel. I am also afraid of how the nation is obviously divided on this subject, and some very real tensions have already bubbled to the surface fuelled by the media. Personally, as a freelance graphic designer, working rights don't necessarily affect me as I run my own schedule, work when I want, sleep when I want and holiday when I want. These are definite perks of being a freelancer. There are more and more of us about as permanent jobs become fewer. I graduated at the time of the recession a few years ago and (really) struggled to find a job. Of any kind. At all. I was registered with numerous recruitment agencies and didn't hear a thing as there were so many like me. Hundreds of applications sent on a weekly basis - to absolutely no avail. Luckily for me I managed to get my foot in the door eventually. Some of my fellow chums took even longer than me to find a position and around 75% of my friends have been made redundant at some point - some of them more than once. I only hope this situation isn't going to be repeated on todays graduates and further generations upon leaving the EU. It may turn out all well and good in which case I will graciously accept that I had been skeptical - but if that's not the case - will those who brought us here accept that they were wrong? One definite result of last weeks vote though is that the rich will indeed continue to be rich, and those on the lower end of the financial scale will struggle, possibly even more so, but will their stories be the ones that get told?Stronger Together: Animated infographic
With just over a week left before the In or Out EU Referendum, I think we're all getting a bit weary of the propaganda flying around...
Whatever the outcome come June 23rd, the UK nation has been split in half, one pro EU and one very much anti it. Personally, I believe we are #StrongerIn (as the social media channels declare) and here's why... My dad worked for a company with offices across the world, importing and exporting their goods, within Europe, the Far East and the USA. As part of his job he travelled widely, and each time he came home, he brought me a doll wearing the national dress of each country he had visited. It opened my eyes to the different cultures and traditions from around the world, and from these presents I knew that I too wanted to see the world for myself. Since then I have had the opportunity to meet, work and live with people from every continent, both whilst I worked overseas, as well as when I worked in the UK. We were selected for our skills not our nationality and we worked towards a common goal. Having had this experience I realise that we are all just people wanting to get along. Now as a freelance graphic designer I work with clients from around the world. I have (everyone has) the world literally at my finger tips at the touch of a button. We travel widely with the greatest of ease. The world becomes smaller every day and is something I find exciting, and something I feel that should be embraced.We can't build a wall around this island, both physically or metaphorically.
Technology, social media and trade means that the world has been brought to us, so what's the point in closing the door to our neighbours? I feel that it would be a step backwards to cut ourselves off from our allies, when our nation and it's people have worked and fought to move forwards. The EU affects our women's rights, workers rights, LGBT rights, maternity pay, holiday pay, environmental issues, animal welfare, provides investment (Manchester metro link for one!), health and safety at work, economy, trade, defence and jobs to name but a few. To focus on immigration and freedom of movement is only a small fragment of what the EU is about. So too, I would rather a body oversee how the UK is managed on some issues, rather than putting all my eggs very much in the basket of our Prime Minister. There will be people who totally disagree with all of the above (someone has already got in touch over twitter with a bizarre incoherent rant!) and if that's the way you feel, so be it. My opinion is my own. I think it is better to be part of something bigger and reform from the inside, than start again as an outsider looking in. There are negatives (there always are) but for me, the pros outweigh the cons. For all of you still on the fence, I'm not trying to sway you either way, but I would suggest you have a look at this website: www.fullfact.org, it provides independent analysis of all these facts and statistics, we've been hit with over the past 3 months. Give it a read and make your own decision, and not one forced upon you by me, the media, newspapers with their own agenda, the twitter lynch mob, your peers or political stunts. Decide for yourself :)Swings and round-a-bouts
This time last week I thought I would never work again...
One week on and that's all a thing of the past - if there's something I've learned over the past couple of years, a lot can happen in a week in the world of freelancing. Having a conversation with my mum recently about the relative quietness on the work front she asked "what are you going to do?" to which I responded, "well firstly, I'm not going to panic." Mum's response was, "well, that's not really in your nature is it?" And no, I guess it's not. I have never really been a panicker (if that is a word) or a worrier (that is a word) and as a relatively care free soul I am able to glide through these dry patches with relative calm. The reason behind my recent dry spell is mainly because due to budget cuts I have lost my biggest client. For me, this has obviously had a knock on effect, but luckily, not all my eggs were in one basket, most were, but not all. Picking myself up again and cracking on is part of the learning curve I go through every day as a freelancer and expect to continue with for the foreseeable. Over the past few years I have worked on numerous projects for numerous people, and my network of clients, ex colleagues and associates is larger than I can even think, and growing month on month. I have learned over the course of the past few years that something will come up. Something that I least expect. And something more challenging than I have done in the past. And with these learnings I get the chance grow as a graphic designer and as a person. Pick myself up, dust myself down, and start all over again ;)
Tags: clients, Freelance designer, Graphic design
My top 3 free sharing tools
I was recently asked by one of my clients how to share large documents. I pointed him in the right direction, and I thought it would be useful to share here too, so I have come up with my "Top 3" free online sharing tools to avoid inbox congestion.
1. Dropbox
Dropbox is a handy sharing tool that can either be accessed online, or downloaded and added to your desktop. Should you want to share photos, or files, (or anything really!) simply create an account at www.dropbox.com and you're ready to go! Once you have signed up, there will be on screen, easy to follow instructions on how to install it onto your desktop and you're ready to get sharing. Simply drag and drop your items into the folder (I usually copy and paste so I have a copy at my end saved), and click share. You can then add in the e-mail details of the person you want to share it with and it will appear in their dropbox ready to be accessed. It really is that simple! The great thing about dropbox too is that users can share items with people that don't have dropbox installed. The user can upload online, and rather than share the folder get the link, which can be copied and pasted into an e-mail to your colleague who can review the files online.2. Google Drive
Google drive is a great facility. It is part of Google Apps which also provides applications for word documents, spreadsheets and presentations and gives up to 15GB (yes gigabytes!) of storage space for free when you sign up for a gmail e-mail address. The downside to this is that both parties involved in sharing files need to have a Google drive, otherwise files cannot be accessed. I would encourage anyone to look into Google Apps though. My world has been revolutionised (especially with Google Slides, the presentations program) and for large companies, with lots of employees and lots of remote workers, I see it as an essential tool for a smooth process. Users can not only share and access files, but also comment, amend and review files in real time whilst other users are also working on the same document.3. We Transfer
For larger files, files that contain a lot of data - usually with large imagery like posters or exhibition stands, We Transfer is the way forward. You can send files of up to 2GB for free! Simply visit the website at www.wetransfer.com and you're good to go as no signing up is required, which in this day and age is a perk in itself. Users can upload their file, input the e-mail address of the recipient and hit transfer. You can add a nice message if you like too... This will then send a notification e-mail to your colleague or client containing a link to the online file which can then be downloaded to their desktop. Files are only live for 10 days and then moved offline, so better to download as soon as possible.These are by no means the only online sharing facilities, however, they are the ones I use on a regular basis, and are all available free of charge.
All of the above really are time and space savers, all useful for different reasons and all free to use, so what's not to love? If you've found this article useful, please feel free to share it :)Sorry for the inconvenience this may cause you…
Whilst travelling home on Saturday night from Manchester I was thrown off a train. Not in the sense that you may think. I was neither drunk nor fair dodging - I was merely trying to get home.
Upon the start of my journey everything was running smoothly. My train arrived on time (a rare occurrence in itself) and we, the passengers, boarded. We set off. Minutes later we arrived at a second station only to be told we were now awaiting a replacement driver. He was delayed. We sat and we waited... 20 minutes later he arrived. We were on our way. Delayed, but once again, on our way. A few more minutes later we got to the next station, only to be now told that the service was to become an "express" service to make up the missed time and that all the stations between Bolton and Preston were to be missed out, and those passengers affected had to arrange alternatives. I was one of those passengers. I made my way to Bolton and made a call. I eventually got home, and made a complaint. Is it acceptable that because one man couldn't get to work on time that around 50 to 100 people were inconvenienced?In what other business would this behaviour be accepted?
Personally, I would never treat my paying clients in such a way. I can only assume that these stations were cut in order to meet targets for time keeping somewhere along the line. What it does prove though, is that the data doesn't show all the facts. In the world of freelance design, clients are everything. I do everything in my power to make sure that they are happy, and what they are expecting is delivered. I read the other day that in 2015, 34% of designers have admitted to missing a deadline. I was not one of those creatives, and so my clients weren't disappointed. If I feel something is unachievable (this is usually based on experience) I will inform a client up front before making a start as I feel that honesty is very much the best policy. Think about this train scenario as a tender document for example: I would not enter into a contract, deliver a fraction of it, and then cut out several chapters in order to deliver it on time. The end result is not what has been contracted or agreed - my client would, quite rightly so, refuse to pay me and never request my services again. They would tell their team members never to contact me again and would pass on this negative feedback to whoever should ask...So where am I going with this?
I can tell you that I am a trust worthy graphic designer, but what proves that point is the fact that I have recurring work from a range of clients. Would they come back for more or kindly send me testimonials if I had not delivered what they requested? I'm not so sure. I aim to be the best at what I do (I can't guarantee I am the best as there are some FANTASTIC designers out there...) and always aim to delivery beyond expectations. What I can guarantee though is that I will deliver all documents in their entirety by the deadline requested, and I don't cut corners to get there, as because in my industry it's just not acceptable to do anything else.Why choose me?
Let's face it, the world of graphic design and graphic designers is saturated...
Did you know that the creative industry is worth £10 million an hour to the UK economy? No, I didn't either until I came across this article on the UK government website. It shows just how much value design can add to you and your business (the economy and the world...), but it also shows how the industry is increasing in size twice as fast as any other industry. For me this is awesome as it means that work is plentiful and I can reap it's rewards, but for me this boom also has it's down sides...As stated above the world of graphic design is a saturated market. There are literally millions of us out there, so how do you - a potential client - go about picking the right person for the job in hand?
Over the past decade (wow, I've been in the creative industry more than a decade, that's a bit scary) I have worked with a variety of clients and bosses, all with varying needs, and plenty of designers. One was on a power trip as he had never been a senior designer before and delegated everything (and that's everything) to me. He used to say things to me like "I'm the boss so *insert any situation here*," I aim never to be a boss (or a person!) like that - ever. He then went on to use some of the work I had produced to get onto a recruitment agencies books. In contrast to that, I have worked with some fantastic, highly experienced designers, who have helped develop my confidence in the field and to hone my skills. One such designer said to me that the industry is saturated. Everybody can now have a flashy website (it's true), everybody has access to Photoshop (it's true) and with a few carefully chosen photos of projects they've worked on can say they are a designer (that's true too) but such people can also devalue the industry, which is true as well. Yes, I showcase my portfolio (which incidentally is NOT done in Photoshop!) but I also try to get testimonials and recommendations from clients proving my capabilities and what it's like to work with me. I want you as a potential client to get an impression of me. I want vibes of me to be sent through your screen and I want you to make an executive decision. I am a professional in my chosen industry, and that is a major selling point for me and hopefully for you too. I will treat your task, whatever it may be, with the professionalism it (and you) deserve. That said, as I am a one woman band I don't have major overheads and so can offer a cost effective solution to your design needs. A bonus too of working with a freelancer is that I sort out my own pension and taxes, and you use me when you need me - it's as simple as that! An added perk for you is because you can deal with me directly I can usually turn around your project a lot quicker than if you were working through an agency. I'm by no means calling agencies (they're fantastic for big scary projects!), but sometimes it's nice to have something turned around in 2 weeks as opposed to 4-6 weeks. I have saved several of my clients in their hours of need due to this!So in short, why choose me?
- I'm a cost effective solution for small or tightened budgets - I deal with turn around times on a project by project basis - Last and by no means least, I'm a professional and if I say I'm going to do something - I will :) So, if you've been wowed by this then drop me a line and we can discuss your design needs today.Calling all retailers!
Are you an independent retailer? If so, would you be interested in a sale or return limited edition reusable bag agreement?
As some of you may know, I have recently designed a reusable jute shopping bag. It is currently available to purchase from Flowersmiths the florist in Horwich, or online through my etsy store. I am now looking to extend the range of retailers that supply this product so that I can then go on to extend the range of designs available. Perfect retailers include (although are not limited to): Florists and garden centres, gift shops, those with an eco friendly target audience, bag shops or those selling hamper products. I feel that the bag is a perfect gift (especially for the ladies) and those that have already purchased them have all given positive feedback. My current reusable bag can be found on my etsy shop here, however, if you were interested in a sale or return agreement I would love to hear from you to discuss terms. Simply drop me an e-mail (or a tweet at @designbylizzi) and we can go from there...Accessible and engaging
A recent project that I have been working on was commissioned by the Equality and Human Rights Commission.
I designed an 88 page follow-up report to their 2015 inquiry into non-natural deaths of adults with mental health conditions who were detained in prisons, police custody or psychiatric hospitals between 2010-13. The full report is available to download at www.equalityhumanrights.com.
Here's what Amy Grant the Publications and Editorial Officer had to say:
Elizabeth did some fantastic design work on a key inquiry report for us - managing to make it look accessible and engaging, even though the subject-matter was sensitive. She was also very patient and 'can do'. I would definitely work with Elizabeth again!
Since this recommendation was written, I have gone on to work with Amy on a number of other design projects. Thank you for the opportunity, and really pleased you are happy with the results!
I have a product, now the hard bit
New year, new product and all that...
Yes, 2016 saw me launch into the world of jute reusable bags. A project I had always wanted to get into, but due to costs and huge minimum orders - it was something I never plunged into.
Roll on about 5 years to October 2015... Dear Mr Osbourne introduces a 5p plastic bag charge to all bags plastic bags sold at the checkout in most retail stores. I was kicked into action...
Personally, I wholly agree in doing anything for the environment. Always have and always will, but what I don't like is yet another stealth tax introduced and branded as a positive thing. Did you know that 1p VAT is charged on the bag for example? So what was initially sold to the public as a charitable donation, 20% goes straight to the tax man. I recently held a poll on twitter on this very subject, and surprisingly 78% of those polled did not realise the whole sum was not going to charity. I'm on my high horse again it would seem.
Anyway, that is a bit of background as to how I decided to take the plunge into the reusable bag world. I now have a product, and now for the really tricky part, telling the world I have a product and actually selling some....
Having been in the freelance graphic design world going on two years now, I have never had to actively promote myself. This for me has been a positive thing as word of mouth and the quality of the work that I produce has helped the ball keep rolling, and for that I am truly thankful. The reusable bag project is proving to be a different kettle of fish entirely.
But here goes a shameless plug... Buy a limited edition, large jute reusable shopping bag for just £8.95 through my ETSY online shop :)
Or, if you live in or around Horwich, Greater Manchester they are also available in store at Flowersmiths the Florist.
I am currently in the process of locating other independent businesses to work with, so watch this space!