In today's episode of the Design Break Podcast, we're going to discuss when to make the jump to full-time freelance—the first part of a two-part mini-series on the subject. This first part discusses specifically how to plan your leap into full-time freelance. There are six main things to consider and think through before you jump into full-time freelance and that you should work towards achieving before you do!1)  You'll Want to Create a Financial Buffer for yourself of between 3 to 6 months.2) Create A Running List of Your Current and Past Clients, Friends & Former Co-Workers that you can nurture.3) Make Sure That Your Portfolio & All Social Channels are Up-to-Date and Ready to Go.4) Get Your Affairs in Order and Get All the Accounts and Legal Stuff Ready to Go.5) Don't Leave Your day Job on Bad Terms.6) Plan Your Date to Go Full-Time Freelance—and don't do it any sooner than that.

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Part One | When to Make the Jump to Full-Time Freelance | 025

Over the last six months, I took an overall hiatus from posting new content both here on the Design Break podcast and across social media. Now, I'm back and planning to renew many of my previous content channels, including the podcast.  The first significant life update is that we are no longer located in sunny San Diego, CA, and we purchased a house an hour west of Atlanta in rural Georgia. A primary goal that I've had both professionally and personally that I've officially unlocked. I'm very proud of this fact, and I look forward to sharing more with you all in the coming weeks and months about this particular event—including some content on purchasing a home as a freelancer. The next life update is that I am no longer a full-time freelancer. Earlier this year, I experienced some of the worst burnout I had ever experienced as a freelancer due to the workload I was experiencing in 2020 during the pandemic—taking on as many projects as I could. After some unfortunate events occurred both to the rest of my family and me, I decided that it would be best for my family, myself, and in particular, my health to make the jump back into the workforce—more on this shortly. These and more updates are to come within the podcast episode and in future content, so be sure to stay tuned! (: 

A 6 Month Update & Renewing the Podcast | 024

In today's episode, we discuss one of my favorite community platforms, Dribbble. Now, don't let the title of this episode sour your  view of Dribbble. Even though I may some negative things about the platform in today's episode, I still love it, I still use it and I strongly believe that it can still rise up from where it stands today!I've been a proud member of Dribbble for almost exactly 9 years ago—having gotten my invite at Creative South 2013 from my friend Lenny Terenzi. Ever since then, I've used Dribbble to not only showcase my work but it has brought in over $150k in revenue in the last 7 years for freelancing opportunities.The bad news is, that I've noticed a lot of things have changed at Dribbble and there have been some changes that have somewhat been a negative rather than a positive. Now is it as bad as Instagram and its algorithm?—a story for a later date. No, but there's a lot that could change for the better.Take a listen to today's episode and see what you think about what I have to say on the topic. (:So if you have any questions, please feel free to ask them on my Instagram account or Twitter, and please remember to subscribe if you enjoyed this episode of the podcast! (:Always remember to stay Passionate, Positive, and Creative!

The Unfortunate Decline of Dribbble | 023

Today's episode is based on a newsletter I released recently on learning how to roll with the punches and pivoting to client work.A couple of weeks back, I had an experience with a client that made me really think and reflect on how important pivoting is for creatives. It's something that is talked about quite a  bit but still not enough to teach us how to deal with it when it's needed.There will always be moments when you're working on a project for a client where you'll need to shift gears—usually, it's something small. Other times, it can something major, such as the client not liking anything you've created.Next, it's what we do; that really defines us and sets us apart from other creatives.Do you sit there and stare into space for hours, letting the stress of the pivot fester like an open wound? Or do you take action and put together a plan to help lead not only yourself but your client out of whatever situation you're in? Hopefully, you choose the latter.So if you have any questions, please feel free to ask them on my Instagram account or Twitter, and please remember to subscribe if you enjoyed this episode of the podcast! (:Always remember to stay Passionate, Positive, and Creative!

Learning How to Pivot When Dealing with Clients | 022

*This episode was pre-recorded at the end of the summer of 2020.In today's episode, we discuss something that many of us know we should do but don't always, and that is to reflect before we act.Over the years that I've been working as a freelancer, in-house, and as a studio owner, I've found myself jumping to conclusions on feedback I deemed negative or "uncalled for" only to reflect and review it later and see that I was wrong or I simply over reacted to it.It takes a lot to admit that. It's not an easy thing to do either, but I've found many of us do it.Whether it's with a client or even a loved one, the secret to any relationship is not to react to your first instinct but instead to give yourself some time and reflect on it. If it's an email, re-read it later when you've got a clearer head.If you'd like to check out a blog post I wrote that discusses this very topic and goes a bit deeper.So if you have any questions, please feel free to ask them on my Instagram account or Twitter, and please remember to subscribe if you enjoyed this first new podcast episode of 2021! (:Always remember to stay Passionate, Positive, and Creative!

Being Reflective vs. Reactive | 021

In today's podcast, the first in over a year, we talk about what goes into your portfolio to help you achieve your goals—whether it's to find a job or get freelance work.This is a continuation of a new series I started on my YouTube channel designed to help you build your portfolio from the ground up. So if you'd like to, please check out those videos and even my first Creative Challenge—designed to help fill your portfolio with an awesome case study.So if you have any questions, please feel free to ask them on my Instagram account or Twitter, and please remember to subscribe if you enjoyed this first new podcast episode of 2021! (:Always remember to stay Passionate, Positive, and Creative!

What Should Go Into Your Portfolio | 020

Our first new episode of 2020 features an interview I had with the award-winning illustrator Tom Froese—a freelance illustrator based out of British Columbia. Tom is not only an illustrator but a speaker and teacher on Skillshare—he's featured as a "Top Teacher."In today's episode, Tom shares his story on how he went from being a freelancer, then art director, and ended up choosing to work for himself full-time. He shares how originally he went to school for computer engineering but found his love in design and later illustration.If you would like to read an excerpt from the transcript of our interview, you can find one on the Blue Cyclops Design Co. blog. Nuggets of Wisdom:1. Give Yourself Permission to Pursue What You LoveIf you love illustration, that's your permission to pursue it. Don't feel like you somehow have to meet some kind of qualifications or criteria to start learning illustration or even calling yourself an illustrator.2. Be Obsessed with Learning Your CraftYou must be obsessed enough to study it and put in the effort. A lot of people like what they do but they don't geek out on it enough. Find out who's doing what you want to do or the work that you love and absorb as much information—videos, tutorials, articles and more as possible.3. Make Your Own Opportunities, NowThere's no time like the present and you shouldn't just sit around and wait for an opportunity to fall into your lap. Show NotesFollow the Design Break podcast: Instagram | Twitter | FacebookFollow Host Rocky Roark: Website | Instagram | Twitter | FacebookFollow Tom Froese: Instagram | Twitter | Dribbble | YouTube | SkillsharePodcast Music by: Royalty Free Rock via Pond5‍Please remember to subscribe to the Design Break Podcast where ever you listen and if you have a moment, leave a rating and review. Always remember to stay Passionate, Positive & Creative!‍

Interview with Tom Froese | 019

Nuggets of Wisdom‍1. Share More Work on Social MediaIn order for you to be discovered by anyone—whether its with client work or personal work—you have to be posting work on social media. Don't hold back either, post regularly between 1-2 times a day and spread out your posts on different platforms. That way people don't get annoyed if they are following you in multiple places.‍2. Create for YourselfRemember that our main purpose for creatives is to create—that doesn't mean just creating for clients—take some time out for yourself each day or at the very least on the weekends and create for your selves. You never know what you might find when you do or what opportunities will come of it!‍3. Passion is KeyNo matter what you may tell your client, you are going to be more passionate about the projects you create for yourselves instead of the ones you're creating for money and guess what? That is perfectly fine.‍Show NotesThe image used in today's header was sources from Stocksy by Audrey Shtecinjo.Follow the Design Break podcast: Instagram | Twitter | FacebookFollow Host Rocky Roark: Website | Instagram | Twitter | FacebookPodcast Music by: Royalty Free Rock via Pond5‍Please remember to subscribe to the Design Break Podcast where ever you listen and if you have a moment, leave a rating and review. Always remember to stay Passionate, Positive & Creative! View More episodes at www.bluecyclops.co/podcasts

What Work Leads to More Work? | 018

Episode SynopsisAfter close to a five month hiatus, we are back with an amazing interview with the very talented Allie Mounce—Co-founder of Pretty Useful Co. & Senior Art Director at Paradigm. Allie is an amazing designer and jack-of-all-trades when it comes to design.In today's episode, Allie shares her story and how she broke into the world of design and has become—in my opinion—a creative super star! She shares how she learned the skills she utilizes now when she was a junior designer and how she and her co-founder, Clare Freeman, started Pretty Useful Co. and some tips for you all to start your own side hustle. Check out more of the show notes at www.bluecyclops.co/podcasts/017-allie-mounce-interview Show NotesSpecial Thanks to Becca Hand, the creator of the painted portrait of Allie Mounce!Follow the Design Break podcast: Instagram | Twitter | FacebookFollow Host Rocky Roark: Website | Instagram | Twitter | FacebookFollow Allie Mounce: Instagram | Twitter | DribbblePodcast Music by: Royalty Free Rock via Pond5‍Please remember to subscribe to the Design Break Podcast where ever you listen and if you have a moment, leave a rating and review. Always remember to stay Passionate, Positive & Creative!

Interview with Allie Mounce | 017

In this episode, I answer an AMA (Ask Me Anything) question involving whether it's better to be self-taught or go to art/design school. The short answer is, in my own personal opinion, you don't need to go to school for design. You should definitely take courses to learn essential art and drawing skills, but when it comes to design, you can easily pick that up on your own accord. When you go to college, you're spending a large amount of money for a piece of paper at the end of 4-6 years (or more) of taking classes, some of which you'll never need or don't even pertain to your career path. It becomes a trap that has drawn in so many creatives (like myself) into thinking we need a college education to be successful in the creative world. Nuggets of Wisdom: 1) Is College the Right Answer Decision for You. - Only you can adequately answer that question. I'll be the first to admit that having a college degree is a good fall back in case you decide to switch career paths or have it as a fallback. If I could go back and do it all over again, I would have gotten a degree in business or marketing. I even have a dream of when I'm old and retired from getting a degree in history and teaching courses at some university. Yea that's right, you just read me say that I want to eventually go back to college. The reason I say that is because it's our own choice to go and get degrees and spend tons of money that we may never pay back. Just make sure that you're not going to do it for someone else, that you're going to college for YOU. 2) Learn On Your Own Time & Never Stop Learning! - Whether you go to college or not, spend your own personal time, your free time, learning the craft you want to work in. While I was in school, I realized that my classes weren't teaching me much in what I wanted to do for my career, so I looked elsewhere and found courses, reached out to professionals already in the professions and asked them questions. Even today, as I'm writing this, I'm 28 years old, graduated from college 6 years ago, and I'm still spending half an hour to 2 hours a day learning something new or reading more to improve my knowledge base. So don't think that just because you're out of school or a "grown adult" that you're done learning. Go out and buy a book and read it this weekend. Plan to learn something new each day (whether it progresses your career or not). 3) It Doesn't Matter Today, It Matters What You Do in the Future. - As you read this or listen to this episode, you could be a ditch digger, working at Staples or working as a bank teller, what you do today is just a means to an end. Its what you do tomorrow that really matters, and the day after that and so on. If you want to become a product designer, but you're currently making change for sweet old ladies for your day job, then spend your nights taking online courses and watching YouTube videos to grow the skill set of what you want to do. We all start somewhere in our path for knowledge, and you don't have to spend $100,000 to become a success. Sometimes its as cheap as $14.99/mo for a Skillshare subscription or free with YouTube.

AMA: Being Self Taught vs. Going to Art School

In this episode, we’re going to talk about the importance of side projects and how they can lead to fantastic opportunities in your creative career. Throughout my career, I have worked on many side projects, each with its own challenges, learning opportunities, and payoffs. I’ve learned that there is so much power in creating your own side projects and sharing them with the world. Today, I share a few stories and examples of side projects I’ve created and the opportunities they have led to along the way. If you’d like to read more about my thoughts on side projects, you can find a blog post I wrote on the same subject on my website. Nuggets of Wisdom: 1) Side Projects Are A Way to Create Your Own Opportunities. - In life, if we really want to succeed, we need to sometimes create our own opportunities, not just wait for them to fall into our laps. Side Projects help us to create our own opportunities and can lead to ones we never thought possible. 2) Treat Your Side Projects Like You Would Client Work. - When you set out to start a side project, write up your own project brief, listing out in detail your goals for the project, the work you think it’ll entail and any additional information you might find helpful. The more planning you do at the start, the better prepared you’ll be when you’re elbows deep into your project. 3) Not All Projects Will Be Success Stories - Unfortunately, not all side projects will end in sunshine and rainbows. Many will fail or come to an end due to a variety of different factors. Be prepared for the chance that your side project may end without being a success story. 4) Know When to Pull the Plug on Your Project - As I said, not all projects end in success, but we have to know when it’s time to pull the plug. In my own experience, there were many times where I should have ended a side project, but I let them drag on and on, causing me to acquire debt and fatigue from trying too hard on something I lost my passion for.

The Importance of Side Projects | 015

In this episode we’re going to talk about being FIRED and how it isn’t the end of the world, which is very accurate. Now, I’ve known that I wanted to talk about this topic since before I even started this podcast. Its something I’ve been through three times in my life—once in high school and twice after college. It’s something that everyone will most likely experience at some point in their lives and is one of the hardest things to go through in your career. Let me let you all in on a little secret… It can sometimes be the best thing to happen to you as well. Join me in today’s episode where I talk about my experiences and how I turned a negative into a positive. Nuggets of Wisdom: 1) Remember to Breathe & Give Yourself A Head Start. - If you find yourself feeling the walls are closing in on you and you think you're going to get fired, just breathe. Take a few deep breaths and then move forward. When it's clear that you're going to be given your walking papers, start looking for other opportunities, update your resume, LinkedIn, website, portfolio, etc. It doesn't matter if its a month, a week or a single day, any day you can get ahead of it and start searching for your next opportunity is worth it. 2) Don’t Let Yourself Feel Defeated. - Being fired can be a shallow point for anyone, no matter what kind of job you have. Fear can set in quickly and completely derail your drive and passion for doing anything at all. The important thing is to remember that you’re not defeated, you haven’t lost anything but an opportunity that wasn’t right for you. Instead, pick yourself up, dust yourself off and keep moving forward. 3) Losing Your Job Doesn’t Make You A Failure. - Anyone can lose their job at any point in time. When a recession hits, if a company loses a big client, if you accidentally spill coffee on your boss. It can happen to anyone. Don’t look at being fired as a failure, look at it as a learning experience. 4) Don’t Let Your Emotions Get the Better of You. - The first thing that you want to do after being fired is to be emotional. Trust me, I know that all too well. I cried both times I was fired. The important thing is not to let your emotions get the better of you and instead keep them in check. As I mentioned in this episode, I made myself feel those emotions for 30 minutes after I was fired from Focus Lab, after that, I put my best foot forward and worked hard to get where I was going. 5) Being Fired Can Be the Best Thing to Happen to You. - I know it might not feel that way at the moment, but being fired can sometimes be the best thing to happen. In my case (with my last job) it gave me the push I needed to go full-time freelance finally. It's now almost 3 years later, and I’m 100% happier than I ever was at my old job. You have to look for those silver linings with every negative thing that happens to you in life, or else you’re going to become bitter and angry and lose that happiness that abides in all of us. Keep your chin up, the future is always bright my friends.

Being Fired, Its Not the End of the World | 014

In today’s episode, I sit down and chat with my friend and former client, Stu Smith. A fantastic designer and creative entrepreneur, working at Trello and based out of Austin, Texas with his wife (YellowBess), kids, and their dogs. During our interview we talk about a range of different topics from Stu’s college experience, us working together while he was at Able Lending and now his side hustles he’s been up to with his wife. Sit back and enjoy my chat with Stu. Nuggets of Wisdom: 1. You Don't Have to Go to Design School to Become a Designer. One common misconception is that if you go to college and want to become a designer (or go into any other creative profession) you have to get your degree in design. This is completely false. If there were a possibility to go back and redo college, I would have changed my path and gone for marketing or business (like Stu) instead. 2. Take Risks in Your Career. Especially if you're early in your career, take a risk. Take that job across the country or even in another country. Go out on the limb and start your own side hustle. You don't want to sit there, 10 years later full of regrets. 3. Sometimes You Have to Know When to Walk Away. Just like how Stu made the realization that he should close the doors on Sputnik, sometimes you have to know when its time to walk away and move on to the "next thing." We all have or will have those moments in careers and lives. I had that moment with my last job where I decided that I was going to leave and strike out on my own, but before I could make that move, it was made for me. Make that leap on your own terms, not someone else's. 4. Small Opportunities Can Lead to Bigger Ones Down the Road. You never know when a smaller opportunity may lead to a major one. Just like with Stu's work for the apartment complex, it started off with flyers and led to a $30,000 project. When you're starting out, take on those smaller projects and treat them like they're big dollar projects and clients. Show Notes Follow the Design Break podcast: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook Follow Host Rocky Roark: Website | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook Follow Stu Smith: Website | Instagram | Twitter | Passenger Labs Special Thanks to the Design Break Editor: Loreanne Varon Podcast Music by: Royalty Free Rock via Pond5

Interview with Stu Smith | 013

Welcome to our second AMA (Ask Me Anything) episode! These AMA episodes are a bit unique in that they focus on answering questions that I’ve received over the last couple of years via social media, email and/or in person from all of my wonderful followers. Now, the question came in from Instagram. The question is: Is it possible to master all areas of art and design? If so, is it possible to do it in college?

AMA: Can You Master All Areas Of Design? | 012

In this episode of the Design Break podcast, I discuss how having a portfolio isn't enough to land you a job and/or freelance work. When it comes to finding a job you have to be able to do more than just create pretty pictures, sites or logos. You have to have process to back it up and reasoning behind everything that you do. Surprisingly though, you don't have to be perfect, instead you should always share both your wins and your losses in your portfolio and the case studies you showcase. To learn more about this episode head on over to https://www.designbreakpodcast.com/episodes/011

Having A Portfolio Isn't Enough | 011

Breaking into the creative world is hard enough—and making it as a full-time freelance designer is even tougher. Join host and freelance designer and illustrator Rocky Roark as he talks with special guests about all things freelancing. If you’ve been thinking about starting your own creative projects or you just want to hear thoughtful, actionable advice for your creative career, this podcast is for you.

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