How The Smallest Design Project Can Become Your Biggest Leap Forward
The business was relatively slow and you chose to accept a low-budget project. Or maybe a friend asked you for a favor, and you couldn’t reject. At such times, it’s not very easy to motivate yourself as a designer. You tend to think that you’re used, not paid as you deserve, or not good enough to get better clients. However, there is a way to get rid of those negative thoughts, and turn that insignificant project into one of the greatest opportunities you’ve ever had.
For designers, the biggest asset is obviously their work. If your work is really good, sooner or later, you will be noticed and preferred. But what makes a ‘good design work’?
Some designers think that it’s all about big names. Design a tiny sticker for Apple, put the Apple logo on your portfolio, and new clients will race to be able to work with you. Well, it doesn’t quite work like that. Instead, a really good, well-thought-out, meticulously crafted design work you did for your uncle’s ice cream truck can become your biggest highlight.
That project can make its way to the most prestigious design magazines, books, blogs, and it can even get you a design award, while that sticker you designed for Apple during your internship at an agency can live for a day and die.
The other reason why you shouldn’t underestimate any project or client is that a tiny little work you do for someone can lead to something a lot bigger.
That’s how my story began with one of my biggest clients. About 5–6 years ago, this B2B brand reached out to me to design an e-mail invitation for one of their internal events. I didn’t know the name of the company, I couldn’t charge a lot for an e-mail invitation, and the project was too small to become a portfolio piece. My only motivation was the opportunity to impress the client.
So, I put a lot of effort, designed 5 unique invitations, most of which were completely out of the box, and created a beautiful presentation deck for the client. Their first impression was a big ‘wow’. Then, in a month or so, they asked for another invitation design. Then one more… After three successful and very well received invitations, they asked me for a quote for a comprehensive rebranding project. My approach and unique design work (even if it was for e-mail invitations) inspired them for a big change.
Since then, we’ve designed logos, sub-brands, stationeries, websites, apps, brochures, booklets, vehicles, decks, delivered brand strategy assets, produced films, animations and a lot more for that brand. We constantly grew together and our partnership still continues today.
Imagine what I would have missed if I looked down on that first invitation design project. What if I said ‘Sorry, I’m too busy’ and reject them? What if I designed a couple of mediocre, boring invitations to finish the project as quickly as possible to get my small check and move on?
Try to treat every project as if it’s the biggest opportunity you currently have. Try to make it your next, big portfolio piece. Try to turn it to a long-term relationship with the client. You will never regret that.
Remember, every new project, regardless of its scope, is a key to a better version of yourself. Treat it wisely.
