Perm Vs Freelance

[Archibod]

Hi everyone,

I know similar threads are out there but I want to get the most up to date vibes within the industry. Basically, I’m working at a practice as their main visualiser (for the past 5 years) but like many companies the recession has hit hard and the 3D work within the company has pretty much dried up, although I've recently been given a few small images to work on. There’s lots of talk about the industry getting back up on it’s feet but I think for me a change is needed.

I've had a look around and talked to my contacts about the current job market for 3D artists and a few have said that they are starting to outsource the work instead of hiring in-house.

 

I would be grateful for everyones thoughts on permanent vs freelance!

Cheers

Paul

[Cyberstyle]

Going freelance is something that I think 'all' should try at least once. It can be a great thing / it can be a nightmare, but that comes down to purely each individual.

 

I did freelance for a year before deciding that going perm was something I prefered. My love for 3D became more about chasing better work, money and keeping up to date with book keeping then focusing on what I do best. I won't say that I'll never go freelance again though. It was good to try out and I did enjoy the freedom and flexability that I had. I made some good clients and at the same time I had some I wish I never met. Who knows, if I had of stuck to it, by now I could be running my own studio with a team of employees. Anythings possible.

 

Unless you take a leap of faith, be confident in yourself and put yourself out there, you will never know if freelance is the right choice for you. Just make sure you have some sort of savings or financial security as a back up first - that's crucial!!!

 

As for being perm. I get a weekly wage every week without fail, I don't have to chase work or money, I get sick leave with pay, I get annual leave with pay, I get the social environment of a busy office and I don't have to fork out my own money for hardware and software.

 

Hope that helps a bit.

[Ky Lane]

As for being perm. I get a weekly wage every week without fail, I don't have to chase work or money, I get sick leave with pay, I get annual leave with pay, I get the social environment of a busy office and I don't have to fork out my own money for hardware and software.

 

God man, you almost brought me to tears then..

 

I've been freelance for about 8 years now, and its tough. Not just 3D, but I also do web/design work as well. Work is rarely guaranteed, it comes and goes. Its hard to make plans for anything, as a project worth alot of money (and your time) may turn up and blow everything up.

 

Ive just started lecturing at the local University to help with a more regular income to steady things up a bit.

[Iain Denby]

The days of job security have gone. You always feel insecure about work when you're freelance and for sure right now you feel just as insecure if you're employed! When I first went freelance it was as a result of being made redundant. I'm not sure I would have taken the risk otherwise. if you're job seems in place for a while I'd stick with it. If you're quiet at work the chances are you'd be quiet freelancing. I've never felt there has been a big difference between how busy in-house guys are compared to freelancers-the two seem to go hand in hand.

[Archibod]

Cheers all for your feedback.

I'll definitely be giving it a lot of thought, there has been a lot of negativity at work this year coupled with a very long commute everyday - I don't want to find myself in the same situation another year down the line. I think 2011 will be the year for change for me. I'll keep you posted on how I get on!!

 

Thanks again,