Something in the Air Lately

and it Stinks

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?

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!

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Much Love, Glue.