Managing scope creep is an essential aspect of every project
(Stolovitch, n.d.). Had I understood scope creep prior to
engaging in freelance work about 7 years ago my life might be very
different. Learning as you go and trying
to make it as a freelance graphic designer was tough business. I was either not getting paid or taking on
jobs with such tight deadlines I was working until 2 in the morning to make the
clients deadlines. I felt as though I
could not say no because I was not sure if there was more work coming in. Therefore, I never said no despite the
difficulties it caused in my personal life.
I really wanted to make freelancing work, I loved working from home and
having freedom to work where I wanted.
Sometimes at a coffee shop and other times in the living room that
flexibility inspired me and I was creative and happy. However, the finances were a mess.

It was a nightmare and I felt bad because I knew the
guy. However, looking back and analyzing
the situation I realize that I should have done several things
differently.
1.
Stuck to the original signed agreement
2.
Not second guess my design ability, after all he
liked all of my work at our former company, that is why he chose me
3.
Use documentation of the changes that were being
asked of me along with associated costs that would be incurred due to those
changes
4.
I should have presented the logos myself
5.
Let the client go after realizing I could not
make them happy (which was after the first 5 logos)
Looking back I also realize that I had designed a lot of
nice logos. They were amazing and they
weren’t going to win any awards but they were solid, reproducible in many
formats and represented the company’s vision and mission. Hindsight is always twenty-twenty which is
why I should have reflected on the situation back then and I may have come to a
different conclusion and stayed working as a freelancer.
In talking to my husband right before posting this he
reminded me of about three or four other clients who did the same thing. They had me design some proofs and end up
walking away and some never paid. I quit
calling to follow up after because it was apparent from the ignored emails and
phone messages that they were taking my ideas and never planning to pay for
them. I ran across this website: http://www.graphicdesignblender.com/freelancing-advice-from-successful-designers
in which several respected design professionals give advice to other designers
interested in freelancing. Many of them said that designers who are
interested need to ensure they do not short change themselves and charge
customers appropriate rates (Foster, 2011).
Several others mentioned knowing how to market yourself, write
contracts, and network in order to find businesses that will choose your work
and respect you as a designer and a professional (Foster, 2011).

Resources:
Foster, N. (2011,
August 19). [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://www.graphicdesignblender.com/freelancing-advice-from-successful-designers