Glue's Letter

Share this post

Something in the Air Lately

gluesletter.substack.com

Discover more from Glue's Letter

A newsletter giving you updates on my graphic design work/practice, cool design stuff around the internet, my thoughts, and more!
Over 3,000 subscribers
Continue reading
Sign in

Something in the Air Lately

and it Stinks

Jesse Nyberg
Aug 6, 2023
13
Share this post

Something in the Air Lately

gluesletter.substack.com
7
Share

Hey Friends

Hope everyone had a good week and an even better weekend

The Feast and Famine of Freelancing

Working on a new video + my new favorite mug

There must be something in the water lately.

by something I guess I mean a recession lol (even though they don’t wanna say that publicly)

I was chatting with Temi Coker the other day about how client work has been super slow during this middle part of 2023. I know there are always going to be ebbs and flows in a freelance practice but something about this one just feels different.

The sentiment seems the same with a lot of my other talented designer homies too. On one end that comforts me to know that even my most talented friends aren’t getting work either, but the reality is I want us ALL to be eating so it’s equally frustrating.

It’s weird how even though over the past few years there have been months of feast and months of famine my brain never seems to train itself for when I’m in each state.

When I have too much work coming in I can sometimes get overwhelmed and not appreciate the opportunities in the present moment.

Similarly, when it’s dry like this I spend the “downtime” stressing about getting my next job or churning out content to keep some kind of baseline “productivity” for myself instead of enjoying the forced break.

It’s times like this when I sometimes think if I would be happier at a studio. I love being a freelancer but there is something nice about working with a team, the consistent steady paycheck, and a routine that is put upon you that does not leave room for lazy days and existential dread.

THE GRASS IS ALWAYS GREENER THOUGH

I really need to remind myself how those times working as an employee REALLY were. Yeah I had a steady paycheck, benefits, and unlimited shitty coffee + snacks

BUT

I also worked way more than 40 hours each week under stupid salary rules, had little to no energy after the work day for external pursuits, and did not have that freedom to let my ADHD-riddled brain dive into a 3-hour work rabbit hole that allows me to come to amazing breakthroughs in my work.

The funny thing on the contrary is the marketing budgets for sponsored stuff and inquiries on the content side for me have been popping up more than ever.

I love getting opportunities to work with cool brands and make a little cash with this amazing audience I have built but it’s a very strange feeling at times when that becomes the primary source of income over the actual craft of Design.

It simultaneously makes me appreciate how lucrative “content” can be but also depsise it because it exasperates the feeling of “design” being undervalued.

That whole idea most def skyrockets my imposter syndrome too.

I wrap my identity way too much in being a “designer” that when I am doing less “design” and more “content” it feels weird.

Idk that’s enough of that though, feels like a very first-world problem, and if that is one of the most pressing issues in my mind currently then I am SUPER grateful.

As of now I am trying to enjoy the slow times so that way when I’m busy with client work again I will have the needed energy.

How have work things been with y’all, is this just my immediate circle or an industry-wide downtime?

Leave a comment

Much love and see y’all next week!

Stuff to Check Out

  • Merch by Dan Barkle

  • Amazing designed space

  • Cool old TV graphics

  • nice typeface

  • cool little rebrand concept

  • amazing album

  • Fav Design of the week below

    Illustration by River Cousin

Weekly Wrap Up

I Made Designs Using The WORST Fonts of All Time!

Thanks for reading!
This newsletter is a reader-supported publication. The best way to support is to share this newsletter or buy me a coffee by upgrading to paid.
Much Love, Glue.

Share

13
Share this post

Something in the Air Lately

gluesletter.substack.com
7
Share
Previous
Next
7 Comments
Share this discussion

Something in the Air Lately

gluesletter.substack.com
Temi Coker
Writes Creative Block
Aug 6Liked by Jesse Nyberg

It’s definitely an industry wide thing happening right now + some brands not wanting to spend much on Ads right now cause we are in a recession.

Glad content is going good for you on the marketing end tho!

I got a few things that came this week which I’m excited about so I’m hoping Q4 would pick things back up but in the meantime I’m going to try and watch more tutorials and see what I can learn to elevate my style and tap into new graphic design elements like type, shapes etc.

All in all some

People have it worse right now so I’m grateful that even in these slow times, I’m still able to have food on my table and my lights on. Some others aren’t so lucky. Some of my friends lost their 9-5 cause their agency was downsizing.

This just reminds me that in the busy months, try to save for month like these cause it’s not a matter of if they come but WHEN.

Expand full comment
Reply
Share
Arthur Coppens
Aug 14

Loved reading this - thanks as always!

Music industry seems as busy as ever as we're getting ready for a the busy fall season. Lots of rebrandings and creative direction work ✨

Expand full comment
Reply
Share
5 more comments...
Top
New
Community

No posts

Ready for more?

© 2023 Jesse Nyberg
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start WritingGet the app
Substack is the home for great writing