Tim Nelson Posted October 31, 2003 Share Posted October 31, 2003 Dear all, A few weeks ago I made the move to work full time on my own doing architectural cg work. I will tell you that I hope I never have to go back to work for anybody at an office again. This is the coolest "job" I have ever had and so far I have enough work to get by for the next month or two. I haven't even started marketing yet and more work just keeps coming in. Granted, I could use a lot more business, but I can also use this time to get everything set up for my new business. I think the hardest part so far is coming up with a decent business name, which I still haven't figured out. Yes, sometimes I still get frustrated with my work and self criticism, but every once and a while you get a note like this and it really makes you feel great about what you do "Thanks-your rendering was a home run this morning. Steve is the new president of the company, for John, and I think he had some concerns. When i unveiled the rendering their jaws dropped. We are making the architect look great." I know I probably won't get that kind of appreciation for every job, but its just nice to hear once and while. And I also need to give thanks to everyone here and especially Jeff for making this web site a great resource to learn from. see ya round! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kainoa Posted October 31, 2003 Share Posted October 31, 2003 Congratulations Tim, that's great news. Part of me wants to do the same, but the other part just doesn't have the ballz. Oh well, I wish you all the best man! Oh yeah, HAPPY HALLOWEEN to EVERYONE!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Nelson Posted October 31, 2003 Author Share Posted October 31, 2003 Well for a while, I would take about 1/2 of what I would make on my side jobs and use it to ugrade equipment - printer, scanner, cpu, monitors, etc. Then when it comes time to go on your own you won't have to spend anything to be set up. I was pretty nervous about it & still am actually. Probably the biggest reason I did it so soon was that I just got married 2 months ago and my wife hated me working every night & really it wasn't fair to her. So I had to make a choice - stick with a crappy job that I didn't like or stick my neck out and see what happens. At the very worst I'll just have to find another job, but probably a lot better than the one that I left. I figured I can't lose this way. So far I have no regrets, but I'll keep you posted on how it goes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iain Denby Posted October 31, 2003 Share Posted October 31, 2003 I've freelanced for several years now and still get up in the morning raring to go...it's great. But there will be times, beleive me when you're sat waiting for that phone to ring...and it doesn't! There will be times when you feel isolated, and there will be times when you have to take on crappy projects, but that's life and overall if you can keep busy you will never look back. Oh, and you will earn MUCH more money! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STRAT Posted November 3, 2003 Share Posted November 3, 2003 hehehe, im the other way round. was with a partner for years which was a pennyless situation. then for last few years i been with a huge firm makeing more money than i ever did before. i love it and never go back to freelancing. good luck to you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iain Denby Posted November 3, 2003 Share Posted November 3, 2003 hehehe, im the other way round. was with a partner for years which was a pennyless situation. then for last few years i been with a huge firm makeing more money than i ever did before. i love it and never go back to freelancing. I suggest you were ripped off by your ex partner and that you are over paid right now! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STRAT Posted November 3, 2003 Share Posted November 3, 2003 you've actually hit 1 half of that equation bang on the nose Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig Ramsay Posted November 3, 2003 Share Posted November 3, 2003 Wish I was overpaid Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ernest Burden III Posted November 3, 2003 Share Posted November 3, 2003 by Timmatron:A few weeks ago I made the move to work full time on my own doing architectural cg work...And I also need to give thanks to everyone here and especially Jeff for making this web site a great resource to learn from.Keep connected, and we will keep helping ech other out. Good luck, and you can call upon me for advise, should you want it from me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Nelson Posted November 3, 2003 Author Share Posted November 3, 2003 Thanks Ernest, You are one of my most respected people here in the forums. You seem like you've been pretty succussful in you own endeavors. I always keep my ears open for advice from you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buffalo Bills Posted November 5, 2003 Share Posted November 5, 2003 Timmatron, Good luck with going on your own. I would like to do what you are doing, but I just got married myself not to long ago, and I want to make sure my income is steady. I just resigned my position at my job to persue other opportunities in the Pittsburgh. I need something with more steadier pay and better benefits and a lower cost of living for me. Good Luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Nelson Posted November 5, 2003 Author Share Posted November 5, 2003 Yeah its a lot to think about. I'm just trying to keep my life simple enough so I can make it here the first few months. Before I quit my job, I had my house re-financed so I will actually be paying about half the mortgage that I was before. That will make a big difference with the amount of income I need to bring in. I think to just live simple is so much better than having lots of money and working all day and night. I expect there to be times when deadlines demand lots of hours and some nights of working, but thats part of working for yourself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iain Denby Posted November 6, 2003 Share Posted November 6, 2003 I think to just live simple is so much better than having lots of money and working all day and night. I expect there to be times when deadlines demand lots of hours and some nights of working, but thats part of working for yourself. I couldn't agree more. Occationally, you will have to work evenings and weekends, just don't make it a habbit. Quality over quantity...everytime! It will repay you in the long term. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig Ramsay Posted November 6, 2003 Share Posted November 6, 2003 Very tempted to do the same... bit scared tho :angeuhoh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STRAT Posted November 6, 2003 Share Posted November 6, 2003 Craig - believe you me, the UK is quite a different matter for free lancing for a living compaired to the USA. i made good money at times but worked 24/7 to achieve it (not worth the effort in retrospect) and it nearly killed me. i got m8's up and down the country in the UK seriously struggling trying to make a living doing archi-visualising on their own. not trying to put you off m8, just giveing you my (sometimes too synical) opinion Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig Ramsay Posted November 6, 2003 Share Posted November 6, 2003 Cheers mate Appreciate the advice. There are a few companies up here doing seriously sh*t work and charging a fortune for it (mentioning no names). I just feel I could do a better job for less cash but you never really know until you try I suppose. Craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHalton Posted November 6, 2003 Share Posted November 6, 2003 Originally posted by STRAT: Craig - believe you me, the UK is quite a different matter for free lancing for a living compaired to the USA. i made good money at times but worked 24/7 to achieve it (not worth the effort in retrospect) and it nearly killed me. i got m8's up and down the country in the UK seriously struggling trying to make a living doing archi-visualising on their own. not trying to put you off m8, just giveing you my (sometimes too synical) opinion I dont agree with this synical outlook. Why is it that some people can seriously struggle making a living and some not e.g. Ian Denby? I'm sure he finds it tough sometimes but all you have to do is look at the quality of work and the amount of times you have seen it. This is 'one' correct way to go! Can we see some websites of the guys seriously struggling? I think it all depends what you are offering: quality?, is it massive animation production? Still only? Is it good or is it crap? Does it belong in the industry or is it just a hobby after work? I think you have to think intelligently and put yourself in the shoes of people who tag working for yourself as 'seriously struggling' or 'it nearly killed me', ask yourself why are these people seriously struggling. Its not the industry or the technology, so what is it? Area of the country they work in? Do they have transport?. Dont be them. I'm not saying its easy or relaxed, what I am saying is make sure you are prepared and become proffesional in your approach, research everything and become positive and hard working. If you fail to prepare you prepare to fail. ! There are some really good books out there for people working from home or thinking of starting a new business.. I think negative thoughts right from the outset can only damage your future. Leave them behind you now! And those already in business with negative thought should do the same! The best information I have seen so far is right here at cgarchitect. > http://www.cgarchitect.com/upclose/DW/default.asp Up close with David Wright someone who does'nt mention negative words. And never will. Am I wrong? James Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig Ramsay Posted November 6, 2003 Share Posted November 6, 2003 Hey James, Could you point me in the direction of these books that you mentioned... sound quite interesting BTW good luck Tim, hope it all goes well for you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IC Posted November 6, 2003 Share Posted November 6, 2003 I suppose this is what we would all like to be doing. I'm thinking of keeping the day job (working as an Architectural Technician with a major developer for whom I occasionally do cgi)for awhile and try to get established through contacts/marketing in my spare time. Sounds like hard work but I love it anyway. It all comes down to self-belief and motivation. All the best Timmatron. Regards, Iain Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Cassil Posted November 6, 2003 Share Posted November 6, 2003 Congrats Timmatron! Like others have stated I'm seriously considering doing the same thing, and like yourself I'm doing work on the side now to build up my home office. There are some perks to working in an office but I think the advantages of working for yourself far outway them. Good luck to you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig Ramsay Posted November 6, 2003 Share Posted November 6, 2003 Hey IC are you in Livingston West Lothian? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iain Denby Posted November 6, 2003 Share Posted November 6, 2003 Having been employed for a few years and freelanced for many more, these are some pros and cons: Pros. * No more travelling to and from work in the rush hour. * Free from office politics. * Free from having to get on with people you don't like. * Potential to charge a higher daily rate and if your'e busy earn lots more money (Oh yes, Strat!). * Potential for more varied work. * work when you want and take time off when you want. Cons. * Cashflow problems from time to time. * Ongoing Investment into Hardware, software and marketing. * Working in isolation can sometimes be loneley. * Can feel low when you have no work, your sat at home twiddling your thumbs while everyone else is working and earning money. * If you want the job, you may have to work long hours, because you don't know when the phone will ring again. * Constant feeling of insecurity, even after 15 years freelancing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iain Denby Posted November 6, 2003 Share Posted November 6, 2003 One other thing to consider, if you are thinking of doing the same. It seems everyone is doing architectural visualisation these days, so why would a firm choose you ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Nelson Posted November 6, 2003 Author Share Posted November 6, 2003 Thats a good question to be ready for. I think my answers would be something like this. - Single person studio, in home office means very low overhead. But that does not limit the amount of work I can handle. The net makes it possible for us to collaborate with anybody across the world to get a job done. - I believe my work to be among the best in this metropolitan area. - Years of interior, architectural & civil training give me the knowledge base to give designers/clients exactly what they are looking for. Something like that, but I really should start making a real list, since I will no doubt have to pitch that at some point. thanks dibbers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iain Denby Posted November 6, 2003 Share Posted November 6, 2003 Timmatron Why don't you offer your services to the Company you've just left? You know how each other work. Tell them they don't need to replace you and it could be of mutual benefit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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