Exclusive Interview with James McDonald - EatFruitPlease
So James, firstly its great to get the chance to interview a young talented designer such as yourself. How did you start designing and how did you get into freelancing? How long have you been freelancing for?
Hello there Jason, great to be getting interviewed here at Lushable, such an honour. To answer your question, i’ve been designing and what not for over 6 years, although i’ve only been in the freelancing scene for four years, I can still remember the first day I opened Photoshop, I fell in love instantly!
What was what the first domain name you ever bought and what did you use it for?
Ha! Great question, well my first domain I ever bought was digital-kurruption.co.uk - my plan for this was to have my very own website were I would give off .psd’s of movie stars, celebrities, models, wrestlers, logos, everything really. Back in those days it was like the kind of niche that everyone was getting into. Unfortunately, I didn’t have enough experience yet to make it happen!
Your a student studying Multimedia Visualization with Product Design. How do you balance being at university and freelancing?
I love being a student and love freelancing, so I kind of balance it out by just
letting things go the route their suppose to go. Some days i’m in university from 9AM till 12PM so when I come home, I have all day to do anything that needs to be done.
In other cases I am at university from 12PM till 5PM and these classes are usually a
bit more demanding, so I’m quite tired when I come in and don’t really do much, but if theres stuff to be done I’ll have the urgency to do it.
So to talk about your freelancing, who is your typical client at the
moment, what type of work do they hire you for?
To be honest I can’t really answer this question. I don’t have a client who always
comes back for more work. Yes they’ll come back but not for another 3-4 months or
so. At the moment I’ve been working on alot of advertisement and logo designs. I
have recently learned some new tricks and techniques in Photoshop that I’ve been implementing to my work so what this space!
How do you go about finding work?
For the four years of being a freelancer, I have always had a place online were I
display my work so that really helps if a client is looking for previous work. I
also visit alot of forums and post in the marketplaces alot so that helps as most
people just stumble across your thread and think,’Hey I like this guys work, i’ll contact him’ really does outsource fast.
Considering your varied graphic skills, which ones do you think are most
vital for impressing a client?
I really focus on website design and forum design, but coming to the end of 2007 I
was getting alot of requests for wordpress blog design. I guess website material is my most favored, you can easily tell that by looking at my portfolio.. hehe!
How many hours more or less do you work weekly on designing for clients?
Basically when I have spare time, I dedicate it to working on clients. Obviously, I
love my social life especially with the age I am at, but I really love designing and will always make time for it.
So weekly i’d probably say I spend around 50+ hours. I’ve always been a really fast paced worker and always like to get paid quickly (who doesn’t?) so when i’m handed client work I usually try and get it done within a day or two.
After university do you plan on still being a freelancer?
As I’ve said previously, I love everything about freelancing and hope to step it up
more professionally this year. But I’ll just have to wait and see what happens, I
plan on taking a year out this year from university and find work either working
from home or working at a local design firm, but time is of the essence. If I was to
decide to work full time, i’d probably not have the time to freelance, but I always
make time for important things and it sure would be nice to have freelancing money on top of my monthly pay.
What software do you use for designing and what browser and operating system do you use?
I use Adobe Photoshop CS3 and Adobe Photoshop CS3 only. I have skills in other
programs although not to the advanced level that I have in PS. I tried Mozilla
Firefox when it was released and have used it ever since. I really need to upgrade
my computer, this month I plan on buying more RAM so I can run a few more windows, after all Photoshop takes up SO much memory. But I run on Windows XP Home Edition.
Where do you get inspiration for your designs?
One time ago, I wrote a post on EatFruitPlease and its when I was just introduced to the whole blogging scene and I wrote a post on were I got my inspiration from, was quite a nice post. Anyways, I’ve always loved nature like plants, flowers, birds everything about mother nature. I have my window 90 degrees from were i’m sitting at now, so when I’m lost for inspiration i usually just climb over my bed and have a look out the window for about 20 minutes. I know it sounds sad and depressing but it really helps me to start designing or it usually just clicks something in my brain to come up with something in Photoshop which then leads to a design.
Apart from designing for clients, do you plan on developing your own
projects?
A question that I will always keep asking myself. I usually relate my blog to this question because EatFruitPlease has probably been the only website i’ve kept for a good while and actually updated. I guess its the process that comes into place. Creating a blog post is really easy and simple to do, if it was hard and long winded i’d probably have no websites of my own. But I guess 2008 is a new year and I will probably invest in getting a website online. I have new plans for DynoThemes though. For all of you who don’t know
what DynoThemes is, its going to be a website were it’ll giveaway (free) fully functional, valid wordpress themes.
Me and a friend have been chatting about getting it online and see how it goes, so
we’re going to do just that.
Currently you only design but do you have any plans to learn code e.g;
XHTML, CSS and PHP?
If you look here its
one of my main goals for 2008. I’ve always said I need to learn coding so i’m going
to make it happen this year. Obviously if I get into a local design firm, i’ll probably get lessons and be taught basic xhtml/css but overtime it’ll develop. Believe it or not I used to code in HTML pretty well like my designs and stuff, but it was the period were I wasn’t freelancing. But definitely, this year i’ll get into it, its finding the time to delve my time into it but if I did become really good at it, i could make double what i’m making from freelancing at the moment… thats the
really exciting part about it hehe!
So here comes the $1million question, what advice do you have for other freelancers or designers wanting to start freelancing?
I always remember my time starting out and when I had free time I was always on my
computer testing out the tools in Photoshop, reading and trying tutorials, becoming
friends with top end designers - this is really helpful as you really do learn alot
from someone more experienced. I’d also highly recommend any new starting out
designers to get involved in freelancing and making money straight away. The more
quicker you do, the more experienced you’ll become at it overtime. Thats one of my
long term regrets is not getting into freelancing quicker, I was too focused on how
my designs looked aesthetically rather than looking at the more brighter side and
attempt trying to sell.
Lastly another pointer to beginners, there’ll be times were you’ll feel down because
your work isn’t selling. Don’t get down. I’ve experienced it many times and i’ve
just kept trying thats basically the only way you can overcome it is to just keep
trying.
I’d just like to wish any beginners out their luck in their journey ahead of them.
Thanks for taking some time out to answer these questions James, best of
luck with your future and current projects.
If you are really interested in James’ work you can check out his landing page on
KolaKube.com - if your further interested in hiring James then please email him for
further information about either getting his resume or examples of his work.
You can view James’ blog over at EatFruitPlease.com
January 2nd, 2008 at 1:48 am
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January 2nd, 2008 at 2:02 am
Looks great mate, thanks again!
January 2nd, 2008 at 2:29 am
Good interview isn’t it, thanks for doing it
January 2nd, 2008 at 3:14 am
Very good interviews. I don’t have any skill about design. Maybe, I will try.It seems impressive to become designer.
Thank for your information. Very nice
January 2nd, 2008 at 4:39 am
really good interview, keep up the quality blogs
January 2nd, 2008 at 5:16 am
Quite enlightening.
It’s always great to hear from the young entrepreneurs out there and to “get inside their heads” so to speak.
January 2nd, 2008 at 6:25 am
Good advice for starting out in web design and it’s good to hear from some one actually doing it. Gives hope to others who want to pursue the same path. Great interview.
January 2nd, 2008 at 9:58 am
My opinion this interview is great. Realy good job! And this interview realy help me in my own site. Thank you.
January 2nd, 2008 at 10:37 am
I have been a fan of James’ work for a while now and still love what e does. Its nice to be able to learn a bit more about how he started out as well as just more general stuff.
I proudly have one of James’ designs on my blog. Where i’m sure it will stay for quite a while.
Great interview.
January 2nd, 2008 at 11:16 am
well who else can agree with him better then i myself that its more better to be on the scene to get the things quickly, i was just getting knowledge only and was unable to workout my freelancing work, but when i started it my pace of learning has doubled.
January 2nd, 2008 at 11:36 am
Cool!
January 2nd, 2008 at 12:02 pm
Whoah nice interview, I enjoyed reading it. This inspired me to make some lay-outs and designs for websites hehe. Good job posting it here.
January 2nd, 2008 at 12:20 pm
Good job with the interview. I would really love to see more interviews from the movers and shakers of our industry.
January 2nd, 2008 at 12:43 pm
Very useful interview.. I try to create some web design, but it’s wasnt good.. I don’t use Adobe Photoshop CS3, but i thing i need to try this program.. thanks for this interview
January 2nd, 2008 at 12:51 pm
Nice interview there, very clear and not full of jargon the normal internet user would feel confused at reading it.
January 2nd, 2008 at 1:09 pm
Sorry guys, Jason hasn’t fixed the website address yet - its actually www.kolakube.com
January 2nd, 2008 at 3:18 pm
Yeah my Laptop has broke… First time I’ve ever actually had a problem with apple products.
I’m fixing things up on the interview now. Sorry for the little c/k mistake..
January 2nd, 2008 at 4:58 pm
Very useful interview. thanks for this
January 2nd, 2008 at 5:01 pm
James looks like an enterprising guy! Good luck!
January 2nd, 2008 at 7:11 pm
I have been enjoyed by reading this interview. Very nice. I hope that this is not the last yuor interview. Good luck
January 3rd, 2008 at 1:35 am
I have been feel enjoy by reading this interview. and you {james} looks like a great guy and an enterprising guy!!
January 3rd, 2008 at 9:40 am
I am looking for post on online eduaction and what i came across makes me doubt the value of such education , anyway i wish you success
January 3rd, 2008 at 10:20 am
Very good interviews.I will try.It seems impressive to become designer.
Thank for your info. Very cool. i will realy use it.
January 3rd, 2008 at 12:59 pm
Nice interview. James looks like an enterprising guy. Good luck!
January 3rd, 2008 at 1:05 pm
Great interview. It’s nice to hear what the leaders in our industry has to say and I hope you guys can interview more people.
January 3rd, 2008 at 1:49 pm
Great interview guys, nice to hear about him here. He is an great and talented dude .
January 3rd, 2008 at 2:17 pm
Looks like this guy is going to have a very successful career. He has the background, the experience and he loves what he does. You really need to love what you are doing with web design because it’s exceedingly competitive out there, and it can take a while to build a reputation. But once the reputation is established, it’s gets easier, because you can then charge a lot more money for your work, and clients will start coming to you instead of you hustling to get clients.
I used to design, but I had to give it up and chase more profitable web enterprises: once you have kids, everything changes.
January 3rd, 2008 at 3:28 pm
Nice interview guys, very interesting. James is very talented and a very clever guy keep the good job.
January 3rd, 2008 at 4:24 pm
Great job, very interesting interview. it’s nicee, that somebody make blog’s like this
January 3rd, 2008 at 4:30 pm
Nice Interview . of this Young and Telented Guy
January 3rd, 2008 at 4:51 pm
He must be one great photoshop freelances huh? How much money does he make?
January 3rd, 2008 at 5:32 pm
this guy have good knowledge nice interview
looking good answer of the question at there
January 3rd, 2008 at 6:01 pm
Great interview, answered all things I had questions about.
January 3rd, 2008 at 6:30 pm
Nice interview. This kind of things motivate others to reach their goals
January 3rd, 2008 at 6:38 pm
Great job, very interesting interview.
answered all things I had questions about
He is an great and talented
January 3rd, 2008 at 6:54 pm
Designing is great. Been doing it for quite a few years here myself now.
January 3rd, 2008 at 8:50 pm
Nice interview i am interested in design too so this was really interesting for me
January 3rd, 2008 at 10:02 pm
Thanks for the interview. I think this blog definitely needs more of them. I’ve just started getting into design myself - flash, etc. Trying to learn as much as I can.
January 3rd, 2008 at 10:23 pm
Nice interview. Good flow and stayed interested. Cheers!
January 3rd, 2008 at 11:51 pm
Nice interview, Nice read.
January 4th, 2008 at 1:40 am
Great interview.! He’s Cool. Thank you
I will use it
January 4th, 2008 at 1:44 am
I’m a beginner and this interview sheds quite few lights on quite few things for me.THX!
January 4th, 2008 at 3:27 am
I was impressed that this man concentrated more in web design than in business administration or any other organization skills. Probably I to reach such a success I had to start studying more web-desgin. It makes sense though, because if you are more deeply involved in that field of work, you will be able to create more vivid and real project conceptions. Nice interview! Thanks!
January 4th, 2008 at 5:48 am
He has the background, the experience and he loves what he does. You really need to love what you are doing with web design because it’s exceedingly competitive out there, and it can take a while to build a reputation. But once the reputation is established, it’s gets easier.
January 4th, 2008 at 6:33 am
nice interview of young guy it will help him in future
January 4th, 2008 at 8:04 am
Good interview and i don’t know what I can add more .
January 4th, 2008 at 8:51 am
I have been to his blog “eatfruitplease”. Pretty good work at a very young age. Looks like another bill gates in making!
January 4th, 2008 at 11:38 am
The interview was thought out and impressive. I’m trying to get into web design currently but at the beginning stages I am struggling. Its good to know that with hard work it can get easier.
January 4th, 2008 at 12:04 pm
I’m just glad I didn’t go into web designing or something creative. My brains just don’t grind.
January 5th, 2008 at 7:50 am
I am not big profesional so i think this interview is good because i would make batter one :).
January 5th, 2008 at 11:13 am
great interview.
Lots of talent.He is definitely going to become successful.
BTW his blog http://www.eatfruitplease.com/ is really good.
Hoping to get some tips on web design from his blog.
January 5th, 2008 at 1:51 pm
well interesting interview
thanks for url now i will go to look more about him
i like this interview
January 5th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
That was a great interview. It gave me a great idea of the ideal life of a designer. I wish the best of luck!
January 5th, 2008 at 5:24 pm
Wow, I don’t know how he’d get himself to do that much freelancing and all while still going to university on a daily basis. I just can’t bring myself to do that much work, even though in total it’s only a little more than two days work each day!
January 5th, 2008 at 5:52 pm
Cool Interview. He really seems like a Guy like me.
January 5th, 2008 at 6:31 pm
Nice interview
I like it
January 7th, 2008 at 3:16 am
Great article! I would consider him to be a young startup much like myself. I love to see this types of articles posted as they give me more inspiration than I already have
January 8th, 2008 at 1:53 am
very interesting.
i’m adding in RSS Reader
January 8th, 2008 at 3:08 am
nice to see that … very interesting
January 8th, 2008 at 7:17 pm
very good interviews. i have look more this. thanks for this all!
January 8th, 2008 at 8:07 pm
good interwiev , but i dont like mcDonald
January 9th, 2008 at 12:53 pm
nice interview of young guy. That`s all.
January 9th, 2008 at 1:56 pm
Yes only this was not yet on.
A very good interview here.
Inspires many more others to do something useful
January 10th, 2008 at 1:05 pm
Very intresting post…
thanks for this useful information…
ur blog rocking.
Happy pongal and sankaranthi….
January 10th, 2008 at 1:35 pm
Cool interview.
January 10th, 2008 at 9:40 pm
I love these interviews with web entrepreneurs. It’s great to see where all these people got their ideas and inspirations.
January 11th, 2008 at 4:37 pm
Revival sweeps into small Ga….
Some church members were skeptical at first, Powell said, but the man “is on fire for God … and loves…
January 12th, 2008 at 6:03 pm
Very usefull interview
January 13th, 2008 at 3:37 pm
I love web interview Its really good. Thanks.
January 16th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
WOW..i love web interviews..preety interesting guy here
January 17th, 2008 at 8:50 am
He has a good touch of designing. He is very nice and it was cool to read this interview. Before we interviewed painters, now designers. Huh, technology is going forward.
January 31st, 2008 at 6:39 am
What do you mean ?
February 2nd, 2008 at 4:17 am
Thanks for sharing
February 2nd, 2008 at 10:36 am
its realy good interview and people are very good
February 10th, 2008 at 1:35 am
I’d prefer reading in my native language, because my knowledge of your languange is no so well. But it was interesting! Look for some my links:
February 15th, 2008 at 1:50 pm
I’ve enjoeyd reading this ,because James is a really interesting person .
February 17th, 2008 at 6:24 pm
Great interview!
maintaining freelanceing and university is a tough job.
But James makes it sound so easy
great class man!!
March 3rd, 2008 at 11:55 pm
I couldn’t understand some parts of this article Exclusive Interview with James McDonald - EatFruitPlease, but I guess I just need to check some more resources regarding this, because it sounds interesting.
March 24th, 2008 at 8:55 am
I’d prefer reading in my native language, because my knowledge of your languange is no so well.