There is both an art and science to freelancing, and graphic designer Geoff Sence has certainly got them right. Overflowing with dreams and aspirations, Geoff has developed a style blending vintage with modern, able to maintain that delicate balance to strike with rich and colourful visuals.
We reached out to discuss his past 8 years as a freelancer, including his first time with the industry and future hopes for creatives all around the world.
Where are you from and how did you get into the industry?
I come from France. I studied Arts and then advertising in Paris. I then started as a Freelance Graphic Designer on platforms like Fiverr in order to build my portfolio. I have been a freelancer for about 8 years.
Where are you based now and who do you work for?
I now live in London and I still work Freelance as well as working for a big Tech company. I intend to get a job in house or in a studio as a Graphic Designer.
Explain your creative style and process
After receiving a brief, I gather as much information as I can to identify the problem I’m solving. I then brainstorm ideas, sketch out mockups and start turning this information into visuals with the appropriate softwares. I’m passionate about colours so that’s what pops up in my mind straight away, and I try some combinations of colours to display emotions in the visual. I then seek feedback before submitting my final work.
Please provide one sentence about your spotlighted work on Creativepool
I’ve created a visual for a newsletter about American Motels, I chose a combination of colours that depict night atmosphere and a beautiful red to give character to my design.
How has technology affected the way you work (if at all)?
Technology is constantly making designers’ lives easier by improving software user experience with new functionalities. Anyone who feels a bit creative should be able to create a simple animation nowadays. On the other hand, it takes time to follow and keep up to date.
If you could change one thing about the industry what would it be?
Unfortunately, some companies don’t value creative people enough offering only long-term unpaid internships or low salaries. Branding and visual advertising are big contributors of a brand’s growth so it’s important to value more the creative people and the industry in general.
What’s your secret to staying inspired and motivated?
I generally get inspiration from creative platforms like Creativepool or Behance and when inspiration is there, then the motivation comes along naturally.
If you weren’t in your current industry, what would you be doing?
I would work in the football industry; it has always been one of my passions so maybe in marketing.
What’s the work achievement you’re most proud of?
I am currently working on an app related to nightlife and it’s a big challenge but it’s very exciting to work with other designers, developers and stakeholders. But the process is very long as I have to produce plenty of screens on Sketch.
What advice would you give to other aspiring creatives in the industry who are looking for commissions?
Start with Fiverr or Upwork and create your portfolio, create and extend your network in the industry on LinkedIn or Creativepool etc and clients will become regulars if they like your work and your style.
What’s your one big hope for the future of the creative industries?
There are hundreds of thousands of creative people out there that can’t express their creativity because learning software is long and difficult and also very expensive to use. We should nurture creative talent from a young age by integrating creativity into the school curriculum in order to prepare the ones that want to work in the creative industry in the future. Creative people will always be needed.
