Confessions of a freelance branding and web designer: Part 2

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TAKE TWO: The human behind the designer

“Quote.”

Welp, I’m back with some more confessions I have to get off my chest as a freelance designer.

Earlier this year, I decided to go back to freelancing full-time. It was equal parts scary and exhilarating, but as I near the end of 2026, I thought I would share some more of the trials and tribulations I’ve experienced on this journey so far.

Like any small business owner, I’m mostly figuring things out as I go along – and these are just some of the many things that make me tick (or not) behind the scenes.

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It took me longer than I care to admit to realise the importance of strategy in design

I think this is true for most designers in their early years – it’s all about the what and not so much the why. We are so focused on the technical applications of design that we overlook the strategic decisions that take a design from just looking good to truly effective.

But these days, strategy is one of my favourite parts of the design process (and I’ll skip it never).

How strange it is to look back on school where doing your homework and researching were SO boring, but now it’s one of the funnest parts of my job?! Truly shocking.

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I get extreme anxiety after shipping the first design concept

The imposter syndrome is real *always*, but particularly at the stage of the design process when it’s time to ship off the client’s first look at their project!

No matter how good I think an initial concept is, there’s always a part of me that thinks it’s not going to be received well – and I’ll be on edge from the minute I send it to you until I hear your feedback.

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I spend way too much time on the details no one will ever notice

I’m absolutely guilty of spending hours moving elements two pixels to the left, and back to the right, then up slightly, before bringing it back to the exact place I started…

Not always (ever) a great practice for time management, but the perfectionist in me won’t have it any other way – it has to be pixel perfect every. time.

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I can’t rush the big stuff

This is something I’ve come to learn more and more as I move into a space where I take on more large branding and web design projects as opposed to small-scale design jobs – and after years of working in jobs where they priority was usually to churn things out over allowing time to really delve deeper into the design phase.

I could absolutely give you a logo or a website in a day, but it also wouldn’t be the best outcome for your organisation.

Aside from the time it takes to research, strategise, and brainstorm, I also need time to let my creative brain do its thing.

When working on bigger branding and web design projects, I often have to walk away from a design for a few hours or days and let it ‘marinate’ in my brain, then come back to decide whether it’s actually good or not, or what needs to change.

So it might seem crazy that it takes 4-8 weeks to complete one of these projects (sometimes even longer), but this is why.

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I still Google how to do things in Adobe

Despite having used Adobe design apps for over 15 years, I still have to Google how to do things at least once a day (usually 587 times).

Sometimes I feel like a design whiz, and other times I stumble across a Reel of another designer demonstrating how to do something in Photoshop that blows my mind – there’s no in between.

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Your project will keep me up at night

Almost always in the best way possible.

Going back to my confession above about not rushing the big projects, it’s this same creative process that keeps my up at night, unable to stop the wheels turning in my head.

I’ve spent countless nights trying to fall asleep, only to roll over and pop one last idea into my notes app for the morning. Just one more idea. Just one more. It’s always just one more.

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I hope this has helped you learn more about the human behind the designer

Being a designer or creative – and a freelance one at that – is an ever-evolving journey. There’s ups and downs, continuous growth and learning curves, but I’m so glad to be on this ride.

Drop a comment below with your favourite traits to look for in a designer, or share your juiciest confessions as a freelance designer!

Or if you’re interested in learning more about working with me for your next project, you can book in a free consultation with me here.

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