The launch of Kreative Freedom: Why I decided to go freelance

The launch of Kreative Freedom: Why I decided to go freelance

Hello! For my first blog post I thought I should introduce myself to you all; my background and what brought about the launch of Kreative Freedom.

My journey as a Graphic Designer started at a young age – I was one of those lucky kids who knew the answer to ‘what do you want to be when you grow up?’ from about age 10! After following the natural progression through school and sixth form, I completed my BA (Hons) in Graphic Design at Norwich University of the Arts.

In the years since, I have gained invaluable experience working in various marketing agencies; all the way from intern, gradually working my way up to the role of Senior Designer. During this time I broadened my skill set immensely – I became UI/UX certified, video and animation trained and team management qualified. I found myself managing the design department, leading large-scale projects, and providing clients with a full concept to completion service.

I loved my time working in agencies, and the pace and variety it provided, but as life took unexpected turns, including the challenges posed by the pandemic, I began to feel like something was missing for me. I’ve always been an explorer – My greatest joy in life comes from going to new places and doing new things. After two years of being stuck at home, I felt stagnant in my life and I started to sense that creeping into my work. I was burnt out and my spark for creativity was being lost.

I started to notice the difference between myself and my peers. Whereas most people relaxed with a film evening or a weekend spent gardening and baking; I spent my evenings going to various sports clubs, and my weekends getting as far away from home as possible on a climbing, diving or caving trip – Sometimes sleeping on a portaledge on the side of a cliff! It’s not that I don’t get joy from films, baking and gardening – I do. But it didn’t make me feel alive, creative and full of energy. I started to realise that I recharged in a different way.

I took a 3 month sabbatical where I travelled around Asia, Australia and New Zealand. Not only did I have an amazing time but my brain felt fully alive for the first time in years. I was on the go constantly, but felt refreshed, full of ideas, creative – something that an evening in front of the TV and ‘getting enough sleep’ had never been able to provide me with.

I met people like me who recharged in the same way – Other adventurers who made me feel less insane! After getting to know them better, I discovered that very few worked in 9-5 corporate jobs. The people who didn’t have a set career path were travelling from place to place doing seasonal work. But there were also people who previously had a career back home and had managed to continue that career in a freelance capacity. They were still doing the jobs they loved but with the freedom to travel, adventure and manage their time as they chose.

I had never considered leaving the agency I was in at the time – I thought I was really happy there and would stay for life. I was working my way up in the company, I got to work on interesting and varied projects and I got on really well with my colleagues – Everything on the surface was perfect. After returning to the UK I tried to adjust back to this life – Getting on with my job Monday to Friday and recharging by going on adventures every weekend. I didn’t feel very comfortable, but put this down to a bad case of ‘holiday blues’. However, a few months in, after this feeling hadn’t gone anywhere and I started to feel burnt out again, I decided it was time for a change.

It was during this time that I made a significant decision – To leave the comfort zone of a secure job that I knew inside out, to transition to the terrifying, but liberating realm of freelance design! This transition wasn’t just a professional shift; it marked the birth of something entirely new – Kreative Freedom.

Kreative Freedom represents everything I truly believe in. It understands that creativity knows no boundaries, that some of the best ideas are conceived during unconventional moments and that allowing myself breathing space is acceptable and healthy. By removing the constraints of a conventional corporate setup, I’ve given myself the ability to think outside the box, problem solve, and ultimately I’ve given my creativity the freedom to flourish.

It’s important to note that creativity is not all about aesthetics. I’ve always stated that ideas should lead the aesthetic, not the other way around, and that continues with Kreative Freedom. A focus on research enables the creation of concepts guided by insight, that resonate with users and create a real impact. Kreative Freedom is not just here to make things look pretty; it’s here to make a difference.

The launch of Kreative Freedom marks not just a career shift but a commitment to embracing creativity in its purest form. It’s about providing expert design services while cherishing the freedom to think, explore, and create beyond the constraints of a traditional workspace. Join me on this exciting journey, where creativity knows no bounds!

Welcome to Kreative Freedom – where ideas come to life.