The Freelancing Diaries: Sharing the deep tea with designer Ash Matthews
This year we’ve teamed up with Hnry to bring you The Freelancing Diaries: a series helping freelancing creatives navigate self-employed life.
From handy resource articles, free-to-attend live webinars, to sharing some of the real and raw journeys from our creative, self-employed community – we’re tackling some of the biggest freelancing woes, what to do about them, and how you can build the successful, creative business of your dreams.
This month’s topic is all about the End of the Financial Year ( EOFY ) and what you need to know as a freelancer/self-employed creative.
Get ahead for 2024 – register here to attend the Free webinar: ‘Preparing yourself for the end of the financial year’ we’ll be hosting on 28 February w/ Hnry and bring your EOFY questions!
In today’s article we sat down with freelance designer Ash Matthews who shares her story as a graphic designer who was working full time as a freelancer up until Jan 2024.
This article is proudly brought to you by Hnry
If you dove straight into freelancing from study or elsewhere, how did you find that transition and what did you wish you had known?
Transitioning from my typical in-house designer roles to full-time freelancing was quite the journey. Before taking the leap, I had been working in various design positions, including as a Design Lead at a Digital Agency. Those experiences really helped me build up a solid network, and I leaned on that network heavily when I went full-time freelance!
Collaboration has always been a fundamental aspect of my approach to design. One of the aspects I particularly enjoyed about freelancing was the ability to work with different people and tap into my network whenever a project required specific expertise or collaboration. This not only made the work more enjoyable but also really enriched the quality of the projects I undertook.
Reflecting on my transition, one key lesson I learned was the importance of having an emergency fund. This fund served as a safety net during lean periods when work was scarce, and it also allowed me to comfortably invest in necessary resources for my freelance business. From essential software subscriptions to hardware upgrades, the costs of running a freelance operation can accumulate quickly. Initially, I underestimated these expenses, but I soon realised the significance of budgeting and expense management
Managing these financial aspects became easier with the help of tools like Hnry. It enabled me to streamline expense tracking and ensure that every business-related cost was accounted for accurately.
Essentially, the transition to freelancing brought its challenges and learning curves, but it also opened up a world of opportunities for collaboration and growth. I wouldn’t take any of it back!
Has your self-employed journey been easier or harder than you thought it would be before you started out?
The uncertainty of not having a stable income was quite stressful for me. It was incredibly daunting because I had mortgage payments to make, so I got quite used to hustling, ALL THE TIME. I found my work-life balance tipping heavily to one side because I was constantly hustling to find the work, the right clients, the right briefs; all of that is a full-time job in itself, let alone also having to do the actual design work! That all sounds quite negative, but in hindsight, it was tough because I was a one-man band. The most enjoyable parts were getting to work on a variety of really different and interesting projects, with some really talented designers and creatives, with clients who were keen to push the boat out – I would also say those were my most successful and enjoyable moments/projects.
When I was asked to do this interview I was still freelancing full time. However, since it’s gone live I actually just made the transition back to an in-house salary job and for me I feel more relaxed and less pressured. The sense of urgency that used to weigh heavily on me has been relieved. But I guess for me, freelance and in-house play two very different roles in my life and at the moment, the certainty and stability of an in-house salary role is what I need.
Looking back, what was one of the biggest mistakes you’ve made as a freelancing creative that you don’t want other freelancers to make?
Without a doubt it’s got to be not having solid contracts can cause headaches. Relying solely on clients to pay on time is risky. That’s why I suggest including a “late fee” clause to encourage prompt payment. After facing some challenges, I revisited my design contract. I added a late fee clause, found through research on NZ law sites, which a lawyer friend then reviewed. Hnry’s tools, like payment reminders, were also helpful. For instance, setting a clear payment schedule (“Invoices due within 14 days”) and a late fee policy (“Interest at XXX% per annum for overdue amounts”) ensures clarity. Hnry’s late notice reminder helps track unpaid invoices and time passed since the due date. It’s good to be understanding, but don’t let repeat offenders slide too much, right?
What’s been one of your biggest wins in your creative freelancing/self-employed journey?
I had the opportunity to shoot the World Men’s Team Squash Championship in 2023. Being a freelancer at the time allowed me to have the necessary flexibility to take the job and focus entirely on the role. It was two weeks of non-stop squash and shooting, which was exhausting, but ultimately rewarding. Being a part of a world event was an amazing experience.
Daily tools you cannot live without in your business?
- Hnry (gotta get $$$)
- Figma
- Adobe After Effects
- Lottie
- Grammarly
- Standing desk (honestly, your neck and back will thank you)
- Google tab groups
- Notion / Trello
Have you been using Hnry your entire freelancing career? If not, what was it like for you trying to prepare for the End of the Financial Year before you switched to Hnry?
I have indeed! I know nothing else, but I can guarantee that it has made me so much happier. When it comes to the end of the financial year, having Hnry do all the work for me is a literal lifesaver. I’m not great with basic maths and numbers scare me, so I can’t imagine doing it any other way! The thought of it makes me feel panicky, haha!
Fav. thing about Hnry that has been a game changer for your creative freelancing biz?
Automatic reminders for late payments, IYKYK.
Best and hardest parts about being a freelance creative?
There are some really interesting books (How to Be a Graphic Designer without Losing Your Soul, The Interviews: Volume Two, I didn’t do the thing today, The Art of Noticing – to name a few) out there on studio life and freelancing. A few of the highlights include the flexibility of time, getting paid what I believe I am worth, having a variety of work to do, choosing to work on projects that interest me and have value, and getting to work with a variety of amazing creatives like developers and copywriters. However, there are also some not-so-great things about this line of work, such as having to ask clients to pay their late bills, being ghosted, dealing with high overheads, and being told that I’m not worth as much as I think I am.
Lastly, where can we see more of your work?
You can find my design portfolio at ashmatthews.co.nz and I also share some of my photography on my Instagram account @ashmaffs.
