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Okay let's talk about that iffy subject of money, and how to make more money as a freelance designer. This feature covers how I made over $100k in my first year of freelancing, and the key lessons to help you do the same. View article
OUR NEW BLOG
What's here?
A personally written collection of insights and resources to help the next wave of UI/UX designers. To help you learn design, have a laugh, freelance, run a business and navigate your design design career. Proudly sponsored by the Process Masterclass.
Written, designed and edited by Nguyen Le
Categories
Career
WHAT WE COVER
Looking to get ahead in your career? In this section I share personal experiences and lessons from the last 15+ years doing digital design. From agency world, to freelance, to running an indie design business and all the career lessons in between. I hope these reflections serve you and your career well.
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CAREER / FEATURED
Lost your passion for your design job? And thinking about going freelance or running your own indie business one day? Here I share some of the very lessons that got me building the Process Masterclass and the journey so far. And how I 6-7 figure business that I’m excited to work on.
Advice I'd give to designers I've mentored over the years. And to my past self.
Sharing some lessons on how to become a more valuable designer, and what...
When I started my career I loved doing the work, but I was always afraid to...
Sharing valuable design and career tips from the last 15 years
As I sat down at my desk today pondering what to write. I came to the...
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Freelancing
WHAT WE COVER
Are you currently freelancing or moving to freelance? This section covers my thoughts and tips on making more money, remote work, personal freelancing experiences, and other tidbits of advice to help you navigate your freelancing career. Making 6 figures and beyond.
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FREELANCE / FEATURED
Okay let's talk about that iffy subject of money. How to make more money as a freelance designer. This feature covers how I made over $100k in my first year of freelancing, and the key lessons to help you do the same.
Looking to be a freelance designer? I break down the pros and cons of remote work and the freelancer economy.
Lessons learnt from my years as a freelance designer. If you're full time and thinking of going freelance this ones for you.
Email is one of the most powerful tools for succuessful freelancers. Learn how I use it effectively to close work,
A chronicling of my journey from working for clients as a freelancer to building my own project.
• More under Freelancing? | View all posts
Design Tips
WHAT WE COVER
Looking for design tips? This section covers the practical side of design. Tools change, technology changes, but the fundamental aspects of design remain timeless. These are some of the tips I teach to designers I mentor.
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DESIGN TIPS / FEATURED
In this feature I go through typographic tips that are great building blocks for digital design work. Build a solid foundation with this typography series as I share my ins and outs for using type.
This is a no frills account on exactly how I got better at visual design over the last 10 years.
How to break down a design project
A simple framework for leading design projects and how to break them down.
Steal my playbook for UI/UX design projects.
Various design tip videos
A collection of design videos and tips. Sorry yo! But this is still in the works check back soon.
• More under Design Tips? | View all posts
UX Design
WHAT WE COVER
Looking to learn more about UX Design? What we make as designers is ultimately used to serve people, to help solve a problem, a goal or a purpose. Learn tools and ideas on how you can serve users better. Cut through the noise and learn effective methods for you and your team.
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UX DESIGN / FEATURED
A no bullshit primer on UX Design
UX design is very simple. The objective is trying to design a great experience for the user, one that exceeds expectations and delivers on extended value. This is my simple approach to user-centric design and what it means.
A round up of my go to UX design methods, along with the top resource links to help you improve your process.
How to break down a design project
A simple framework for leading design projects and how to break them down.
Outcomes over excess documentation. The Lean UX Design canvas is one of my go to frameworks.
Learn how you can use these insights into creating better design work.
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Oh Snap! What a resource
Grab my design resource collection on Notion - The best resources, videos and articles that helped shape my career and craft over the last 15+ years. All in 1 place. Yes, it's free.
Business
WHAT WE COVER
Looking to become a more valuable designer? Then it’s a good idea to learn some business acumen. Effective design is the servicing of user needs and business objectives. Want to be more valuable? Then merge your design skills with some business acumen.
Mentors I’ve had throughout my career have been instrumental to my growth as a designer...
Looking to make that f* you money? Mindset is as important as skillset, expand your sandbox.
Today I'd like to share with you a super simple productivity framework that I use. I get asked a ton of questions about...
I used to never set goals, I just went with the flow. And that worked for a while – until...
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Productivity
WHAT WE COVER
Binging too much Youtube cat videos? Here are some ideas on how to be more productive. Forged through a lot of trial and error over the years. Learn how to get things done and reach your goals. Don’t be busy for the sake of being busy.
The difference between knowing vs. doing. Which are you?
Being a practitioner vs. being a theorist. In my opinion there are 2 types of learning you can do throughout your...
PRODUCTIVITY
Your goals and ambitions lie just on the other side of consistency
We are an instant gratification generation. We want things now. We want things to happen fast, but...
BUSINESS / PRODUCTIVITY
Today I'd like to share with you a super simple productivity framework that I use. I get asked a ton of questions about...
BUSINESS / PRODUCTIVITY
Feeling stuck? A strategy for accomplishing your goals
I used to never set goals, I just went with the flow. And that worked for a while – until...
• More under Productivity? | View all posts
Life Musings
WHAT WE COVER
Lessons learned along the way and some self reflections on life. Who we are, affects what we do and how we see the world. “Foster and polish the warrior spirit while serving in the world; illuminate the path according to your inner light.” – Morihei Ueshiba
Sometimes I think about how lucky I am to have fallen into design. To have carved out a great living doing something that I really enjoy.
15 years ago I was sitting on a tram on my way to work and contemplated whether I was good enough to be a designer...
One peculiar thing I like to keep note of often is my happiness levels. Seems like a weird....
Despite all the obstacles I've had in my life - the death of loved ones, crushing family debt, work stress, I've lived through my 20's with much joy...
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Inspiration
IN THIS SECTION
Looking for that creative jolt? Inspiration can come from anywere. Here’s my stash beautiful, interesting, useful things from around the web.
© VLADMIR GRUEV
© Jonathan Schubert
© HARDAL
• Snippets under Inspiration | Feed coming soon
Playground
To enjoy the work that you do, you have to keep your curiosity as a designer. This is my playground to make things, for the sake of making things, some full and half baked ideas. Don’t take yourself too seriously.
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