What do you do for a living? How much do you earn? Do you still have a social life? Do you enjoy your work? Why do you spend most of your time on your computer? These are the queries I get from people.
What do you do for a living?
I work as a Freelance UI/UX Designer and Front-End Developer. I manage projects on other occasions.
Succeeding question would be, what are those things? Those things are the extent of “Web & Mobile Design & Development”.
UI or User Interface is the interface that user see on a specific application or website. It’s the whole look of the application, website and even games. It’s usually done with application tools such as Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator and the like. Is it different from UX? YES!
UX or User Experience is the planning on how the usability of applications/websites/games would be. It includes research, brainstorming, and wireframes.
Let me give you an example, Have you ever used Tinder? I doubt that you haven’t heard of it. For those who didn’t, Tinder has these functions where you have to swipe left or right some user. When you like them, you swipe right and when you don’t, swipe left. Either way, you’ll proceed to the next person and you will decide again if you like the person or not. Here’s the good thing about the app, if the person you liked had liked or right-swiped you too, you’ll be able to chat with that person. It’d be good to start a conversation with someone that has mutual feelings with you. 😉
The whole idea on how they plan the swipe and the chat thing is the UX, and the design of the app itself is the UI.
Front End Development is the execution to make the design possible. This part is where we code the design, slice it part by part to make it work on computer and mobile. Stacks that I use are HTML, CSS, Sass, Less, JavaScript, and jQuery only.
How can you work as Freelancer?
When you work on a freelance basis, it could be working on different companies with different workloads and time frames, rather than being employed by a single one. When you work freelance, you’d be able to work whenever you want – this is a BIG MYTH. The rules and obligations will still depend on each company. The good thing is you can choose a company wisely and If you are really skillful, you can demand your own terms.
How much do you earn?
The answer to this question is tricky. But it all depends on how much of your time and effort you are willing to devote to your craft. There are 2 types on how you can earn. They can offer you a fixed price with a milestone payment method. For a specific project, you’ll get a fixed rate where you have to finish phases before you can get your payment. The other is you get paid by the hour. Every second you work gets paid.
How can I start Freelancing?
I have another post where I give few tips on freelancing. Check the “9 Freelancing Tips For Startup Freelancers” and see some several tips on freelancing and sites where you should look for freelance projects.
Is it easy?
No!, There is no such thing as an easy job. In UpWork, the client posts a job and the average applicants are 100 contractors. The company will hire the most outstanding applicant of course. So, you just need to outstand the other 99 applicants to get hired.
Do I love my work?
YES! Here’s a protip – If you want to stand out among the other applicants, you need to be good at your craft and to be good at it, you need some love.
Do your work with LOVE.
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PS: Do I still have a social life? I drink occasionally with my friends, it releases stress and keeps me being creative.
Disclaimer: All ideas are from my own perspective.
