A THREAD

In Dec. 2018, I had just started out Logo design and 3 Creative Agencies rejected my application to work with them.

I spent almost the whole of 2019 developing myself with personal projects.

2 of those agencies reached out to me with job offers (via Instagram o)

I turned both down at the time because I was working a full time job, but now I'm currently a contract based designer for 1 of those agencies.

Not because I was doing free work looking for exposure, but because I invested in getting much better and improving my work quality.

The quality of your work is the major determinant in how much returns you get on exposure.

So rather than investing time in doing so much free work, invest in yourself and in your personal projects. Put them out strategically and you'll thrive.

For me there are 2 basis for doing free work;

1. I want to be mentored under someone in that space. If Chris Do asks for a designer to work free with him on a project, I'd jump on it! Growth!

2. I want to expand my experience. Not for my CV, but for my ability; Development!

I'm not trying to say doing free work for exposure is bad. No! Sometimes it's brings great returns. But at the same time, it's not certain! It's very unpredictable.

So rather than invest in a game of luck, be intentional about your development and controlled exposure.

Regards.