Nice spot for HomeAway
In Defense of Freelance
Ask management types in the agency world if they want their folks freelancing or doing side-projects and you'll likely get answers ranging from "no way" to "don't care." Head honchos want salaried employees dedicating their mental capacities to client work, not your uncle's bait shop. However I'd suggest a "yes please" would be the better answer considering the following advantages:
More Practice
Every billable hour of freelance gets you that much closer to the magical 10,000 hour mark of mastery. Talent-based employees honing their craft in their down time instead of actually having a personal life isn't so bad. Coaches would kill for athletes who practice after practice. It's the same thing.
Cross-Discipline Experience
Designers learn to write. Writers learn to code. Developers learn to manage clients. Everyone learns accounting.
Talent Indicator
"Okay, all employees who actively freelance please step forward. Congratulations, you likely have a higher ROI than your peers." If you're good, freelance finds you. Of course you don't have to do it. More established creatives turn down all kinds of offers where younger creatives are more willing to accept. Young and talented equals high ROI.
But let's not overlook unpaid personal side-projects. It takes passion to drive these forward. And passion is never far from talent.
Recharge
Side gigs can tax a person, but they can also rejuvenate their love for the craft. It's a great opportunity to use a technique or approach which may not jive with client work. Explore new possibilities or simply be front row when you unveil the work to a small business owner. They're always the most appreciative.
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On a personal note, I recently declined a freelance project. My schedule doesn't allow for much anymore. You know what I miss the most? It's not the money. It's all the above.
jw
Trump Hotel Collection
We launched TrumpHotelCollection.com earlier this month. It seems to be well-received by the client and at least one industry blog. Brandon Sanders and Stewart Colovin did a great job directing Andy Anderson's shoot and putting together a solid campaign on the traditional side. With those guys establishing the look, it was my job to bring it to life on the web. Or basically just not screw up what they had going. I will say, its not everyday you present your work to someone like Ivanka Trump. That was a first for this guy.
Intern season is approaching
My favorite projects are always the short ones that I create in a few hours.
