Daily freelancer struggles. Internet connection.
Download speed, ok, not bad, been better.
Upload feed, the really important bit for a freelance creative. Terrible, according to the engineer, it’ll never change because the providers don’t care as 90% of users never need to upload. Great! Oh and we are not due to get fibre until 2028, that’s if all goes to plan and we all know how that works with services in this country.
#kidswear #boyswear #graphics #fashion #design
I thought I’d share a couple of pieces from an ongoing project this morning. Have lots of things on the go its how I work, fingers in lots of pies in one sense but equally not spread too thin or overloaded. It’s a balancing act and this particular project fits really well between things. I learnt the hard way once that putting all your eggs in one basket is often asking for trouble and I’ve had the rug pulled out from under my feet a few times now. This project is an ongoing reminder that having fun, trying new things and working hard but sensibly (not burning out!) is what’s important in my day job. Freelancing comes with a whole host of challenges mentally and as I’ve said many time you need thick skin and confidence in your abilities to ride the waves. I often don’t have a thick skin and my confidence is lacking at times (more often than you might think!) but I do have experience and I’ve learnt to step back and take a different perspective which has helped no end.
#freelancer #graphicartist #designer #creative #fashion
Working on a lot of fruity and sweet treat t-shirts this week and over the last few weeks. There are so many awesome graphics out there at the moment and it really feels like we are in the middle of a great graphic run. It always ebbs and flows between minimal and full on. Dare I hope that it stays ‘full on’ for a lot longer? For me it’s what clothing and fashion should be, fun, in your face and unapologetic.
#fashion #graphic #menswear #boyswear #kidswear
The obsession with retro inspired characters and graphics continues. This mornings warmup. I’ve been thinking about digging out my collection of ‘Don’t Panic’ flyer packs from the early 2000’s as I remember so many of the flyers feeling like this, hip hoppy and hand drawn with that really lovable naivety. Slightly too thick pens, slightly wobbly lines and a home made aesthetic.
#freelancer #fashiongraphics #boyswear #menswear #handdrawn
What a week so far! Tired isn’t close. Lots of small jobs, some bigger ones and some fitness work squeezed in and we are only half way! Happy Wednesday everyone!
#kidswear #menswear #freelance #illustration #design
Not a warm-up but a little graphic just for me. Sometimes the briefs can get a little repetitive and to be really honest, dull. That’s when it’s either time to go and do something else or break the routine and create something for yourself. Bring a bit of fun back with this one, listening to a favourite Star Wars audio book and a quick Adobe Firefly game controller, a little type and bang, graphic complete. Placed on a model and back to my client work feeling a little more creative.
#kidswear #boyswear #menswear #freelancer #fashion graphics
A bit of recycling this morning for my Monday morning warm-up. Slightly older twist using a cracked, concrete styled gaming controller.
#freelance #graphicartist #creative #kidswear #menswear
I’ve had 2 brief’s already this week that required character buildings, character vehicles and retro character work with a quirky little slogan and silly fake company. I’ll be honest and say I LOVE DOING THESE!
Please send more. This one was a warmup doodle from a car reference I saw on my travels, just a personal take on the work I’ve been doing.
#apparel #freelance #kidswear #youngfashion #graphics
A slightly different post today. Not my normal work/graphic subject. I don’t share much that isn’t work related here but I think it’s important to help people build a fuller picture of who they might be working with. It’s also important for me to have hobbies and achieve things outside of work. It adds balance, it’s a release and it gives some social satisfaction.
It’s my last weekend tomorrow of JNBL (Junior National Basketball League) with the U18 boys team. We still have a couple of international tournaments and I’m still going to be coaching on the girls side but this is it for this group. I’ve been involved with coaching these guys for the last 3 years and watched some of them since they were 12! I was never on my radar to coach, playing yes but coaching was always my brothers bag. My kids are to thank for me getting involved, it’s funny how they draw you in. It’s incredibly rewarding, frustrating, and interesting and stressful at times. I’m learning a lot, girls and boys basketball are totally different but the same and that takes time to understand. I’ve been fortunate to learn from some incredible coaches and hopefully next season I’ll grow some more with the girls team.
I get involved with some graphics that are basketball related and if you’ve been following you’ll know about www.triplethread.store so my passion for basketball is starting to spill over into my work which is all good right now but I’m keen to keep a balance.
Who else has hobbies that help to balance and regular life around work?
#basketball #coaching #jnbl #essexrebels #hobbies
📸 @bball_jaw
Just a little sanity check this morning for a warm-up piece. A little idea and a zero brief doodle. Doodles and safe drawing really does keep me being creative on my freelance briefs. Pushing what I create day to day needs balance and my warm-up pieces are often not as creative as they could be but that’s the point. I warm-up by just drawing. Not much thought, trying to not worry about the out come. Often unresolved and unfinished. And this in turn means, for me at least, that when I dive into a brief I’m creating freely and without restriction which once I start to add a brief to the equation creates the magic! I’m also happy, enjoying the work and not bogged down in stress.
Anyone else have a similar process and outlook?
#creative #freelance #designer #kidswear #menswear
So I’ve been sitting on this for a while now as it’s slowly come together. Triple Thread ( https://lnkd.in/eMSA3pR4 ) developed from a phone call with a client and his idea along with another of his contacts. It’s been a ride. Anyway here we are this week with our first signed player announcement and more to come over the coming weeks! Last night saw our instagram reel launching Prentiss Nixon blow up with over 35k views and counting with the majority of those views within the first few hour. Not bad for a start up with 58 followers 😂. Time will tell if it converts into sales but I’m excited to continue the ride and see. I’ve been developing ranges of graphics with the signings and interestingly all with varying degrees of input and back and forth which has been great. Some with huge amounts of input, some with very little but I have to say all equally rewarding in the out comes visually.
Anyway if you’re into hoops, streetwear and the culture that is built around it take a look: www.triplethread.store or @triplethreadhoopwear
#basketball #triplethread #streetwear #hoops #fashion
I don’t draw on paper as much as I used to. The iPad and speed/pressure have made it harder to indulge in the pleasure of favourite pens, using a new one and having pens at various states of running out to get the drawing right through feel. There is still, for me at least a ton of pleasure just drawing on the iPad but it’s not the same. I have kept every drawing I’ve done since going freelance 25+ years ago. Boxes in the loft, filing cabinets in the garage. My procreate gallery has over 5k of sketches and artworks in it. I don’t really have a reason for keeping them other than I find it useful to see the development, spot techniques I’ve learnt and forgotten. Ideas that translate into new graphics and nostalgia I suppose when I do have a rummage I can usually remember who I did the paper sketches for unlike the digital work where i generally have no idea. It’s a realtime illustration of how throw away the digital world is, how un-engaging it can be and how real, physical creativity has more meaning deep down.
#sketches #creativity #freelance #drawing #handdrawn
