I spoke to the UK's top freelance UX designer
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- čas přidán 25. 06. 2024
- I chat to Laura about the world of UX design contracting.
Laura → laurablock.co/
Laura shares her journey of transitioning into the tech world with an English literature degree from Columbia University, diving headfirst into contracting after graduation. She outlines the independence and freedom she enjoys as a contractor compared to a permanent role. Laura also advises aspiring contracts on being financially prepared, getting a portfolio ready, and being confident.
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0:00 Introduction and Meeting Laura
01:19 Freelancer vs contractoor
02:02 The benefits of contracting
02:37 The realities of contracting
03:42 How Laura got into UX contracting
04:08 Moving from English Literature to UX Design
05:43 Content first design
06:33 COVID Years
07:10 Starting communities
08:56 Landing the first contract
09:56 Finding more contract jobs
10:35 Contractors need to be confident
11:08 What skills you need
11:53 Flexibility = amazing
13:58 Advice for getting into contracting
14:04 Advice 1: Build up a war chest
15:04 Advice 2: Have a freelancer portfolio
16:36 Advice 3: Leap of Faith
My journey is so similar! I have a degree in English and I started off as a UX writer, but recently transitioned into design as I didn't want to be in a niche and do more. It was great hearing from you :)
I have been contracting outside IR35 for a couple of years during pandemic. Was great actually, but much more stressful than being on a permanent role. I'm back now to permanent role just because I like the company, and I can work only 4 days a week. My goal is to go to only 3 days in a couple of years time. Work less, work better.. Enjoy free time
it is totally is more stressful.
When I was a consulting doing work for hire I thought it was the peak. I got to bounce from client to client, sign big contracts, do a lot of work, cash large checks, etc. But then you realize most of what you do is never implemented. Yes, you got paid for it, but it was just advice, recommendations, and suggestions. Words on pages that were received, but not really read. Designs in files that were delivered, but never really deployed. There was nothing there in the end. You didn't get to make any bets, you just played with someone else's chips.
iconic duo!!!!
Thank you Paavan for making a video on this topic. Really enjoyed the content. :)
It would have been better if the audio was more clearer though.
Thanks for the feedback! All the mics didn't record properly on this one 😅 next time it'll be better!
This is helpful 😊 I’d recommend not speeding up the video though?
You're so right! Noted for the future
Contracts are NOT the same as Freelancing in the USA. Why? Freelancing is you directly with the client and you do not get any unemployment. Contract you are hired by middle company to work for the larger company and you can file for unemployment. Freelancing is totally different, it's like Gig work. And it's not the best to do tbh. You are missing more money and harder task to onboard is expected. Fulltime you get more time to onboard you are treated better. Freelancing is the worse. Don't get them confused they are 3 different things legally and functionally.