You're not just charging a client based on your skills. You're charging a client based on the years you spent learning that skill. The late nights, early mornings & times when you wanted to quit graphic design. This is what you are charging for.

f you see a better graphic designer than you: - Compliment - Ask for advice - Engage with their content - Network with others like them - Ask how they did 'x' technique Don't: - Get jealous - Copy it for commercial use - Develop imposter syndrome Allow them to motivate you.

“I’m a perfectionist” is just an excuse for procrastination. Perfection doesn’t exist. Ship the work. Refine it as you go. You’ll grow faster by getting it out there.

Don't just design to impress, design to solve. Great designs: - Meet needs - Solve problems - Elevate experiences The impact of your design is more important than the applause it gets.

I've been designing for a UK-China International Conference. The goal of the project is to encourage students to study overseas in mainland China. 🇨🇳 This is very early development so far. I think the logomark needs a bit of polishing, but I'm happy thus far. Thoughts?

Dropping a masterclass in your e-mail tomorrow! Don't miss out, subscribe today: jaffabranding.substack.com/subscribe

Launching in just under two hours. Don’t miss out:

Freelance graphic designers: You’re not just a designer. You’re also a: - Salesperson - Business owner - Project manager Mastering design is one thing. Mastering these skills is how you thrive.

Your logo should work before you add color. Test in black and white first. If it doesn’t work without color: It doesn't work at all.

A good client values your time. A bad client micromanages. Signs of a bad client: - Vague direction but endless revisions - Low budget but high expectations - “Can you make the logo bigger?” Learn to spot red flags early.

Your best marketing strategy? Consistency. - Show up every day - Share your work - Don't ever quit It’s not about overnight success—it’s about daily progress.

Success in design doesn’t happen overnight. It takes: - Practice - Patience - Building relationships Stick with it, and you’ll see the results

The easiest way to get better at design? Steal like an artist. - Study great work. - Analyze why it works. - Apply those principles to your own projects. Inspiration isn’t copying. It’s learning.

Your first 100 designs will be bad. Your next 100 will be better. The only way to improve is to keep going.

The most overlooked design skill? Asking the right questions. Before starting any project, ask: - What’s the goal? - Who’s the audience? - What problem are we solving? Great designs start with great questions.

Pricing tip: The first number you say is an anchor. If you start low, you’ll stay low. If you start high, you set the tone. Be bold with your pricing.

Your portfolio is only as strong as your worst project. If a piece doesn’t represent your best work, remove it. Quality > Quantity.

Just spent 2 weeks travelling in China 🇨🇳 The best experience of my life so far. Don’t forget to live.

Solo in Urban Shanghai 🇨🇳