Working freelance is the dream for many of us. Being able to determine your workload, working hours, as well as progression, is more than appealing when you’re sat at a 9-5 desk job. In fact, 41% of self-employed people in the UK are freelancers and in the past 10 years, there has been a 103% growth in freelancers working within art and media roles.
So, if you’re thinking about going freelance, or already are, how should you determine where you work? Of course, you can work from home at no extra cost, but if you’re likely to have a lot of new business or client meetings this hardly screams professionalism. There are several options if you’re looking for larger space including co-working spaces, hot-desking and the good old-fashioned office rental. With that in mind, let’s take a look at how you should better design your freelance space to optimise productivity, client meetings and creativity.
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Aesthetic
A huge trend right now in interiors is Maximalism. This design ethos focuses on bright colours and lavish textiles as well as patterns and mixed materials. This is a good place to start if you’re looking to impress potential new clients as it shows you’re on top of current trends. Ultimately though, the aesthetic of your studio should represent your personality. Whether that be intense, bold colours or something more minimalist. Either way, your studio should reflect your work style.
Furniture
Aside from the obvious desk and chair, what else would you need in your office space as a designer? Good lighting is essential, especially if you’re a freelance fashion designer for example. Lighting can make or break a design studio so should be taken very seriously. Along with this, it’s a good idea to have a kitchen or coffee bar area for more casual meetings and catch-ups with fellow professionals. Similarly, having a seating area with some quality sofas and a coffee table can help to create a more relaxed and informal meeting area that is sure to impress.
Layout
As with most offices nowadays, your studio should be open plan. This “no walls” environment opens up that collaborative atmosphere creative people in particular love. It’s a good idea to section off your office area so there are clear distinctions between the beforementioned kitchen area, meeting area and your personal workspace. Instead of being chained to your desk, this environment also allows you to freely move around your office which can be beneficial if you’re stuck for creative ideas.
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