THURSDAY, JULY 05, 2007

Denver soloist: Wimps need not apply to freelance web design

by Jeremy Schnitker

Jordan (and his dog)

Freelance web designer Matthew D. Jordan doesn't think there are too many other freelance web designers out there. The Denver-based soloist says there's too many people who aren't freelance designers saying they are. Which is something that frustrates him, and likely every other professional designer in the field.

"Whenever someone asks me what I do for a living and I tell them 'I'm a freelance web designer,' they get this idea in their head of someone's kid sitting in a basement somewhere 'making graphics' for his father's law firm," he said. "Saying you're a web designer is like saying you are an artist or a writer - you just say it and *poof* you magically are. Whether you own a black turtleneck or have a ponytail or not. Now, whether you're any good at it is a whole new ballpark. I've spent too much time trying to convince a prospective client that my well researched, attractive and thorough bid is indeed better than the guy who set up a computer in his house advertising 'Free websites if you host with me.'

In an attempt to vent his frustration, or at least let his stories be told, he started a blog titled You Suck at Web Design, which includes stories and a series podcasts that range from humorous personal anecdotes to serious how-to advice.

"I kind of go all over the board," Jordan said of the stories on his blog. "Some of the back episodes deal with finding a CPA for your business, to properly handling your taxes, to design, to programming, to the time I ran a riding lawnmower through a horse fence."

While Jordan is attempting to lend his advice to fellow freelancers, he's quick to point out this lifestyle isn't for everyone.

"Some people just can't sit in their home office and stay on task, or deal with customers properly and that's fine. Personally I've never had a problem with staying on task, I just remind myself that if I don't get my work done I can't pay the mortgage and that usually gives me enough of a waking nightmare to get going."

That's an attitude that leads to quite a stressful existence, which his something Jordan says is the biggest downside of freelancing. The stress from work has even taken a toll on him physically.

"Most normal people take their stress and freak out all over the place painting murals on the walls and by talking to inanimate objects," he said. "Personally, I bottle it all up and handle the situation as cool as possible then let it all stick in my guts. Literally. I've had an upper endoscopy (where they stick a camera in your stomach) to scan for ulcers and while I don't have any, I'm on medication for digestive problems."

But he fights through the pain and the stress with the knowledge that he's not the only soloist going through the same types of struggles. Jordan said it's a good idea to keep that in mind during the rough times.

"When you're sitting on the floor your apartment with the lights off and only the moon to illuminate your fears, look up through the window - take a deep breath, and receive solace - you are not alone."

View Jordan's portfolio here.

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Filed Under: Design