“HI,”
“Hmm”
“I called you several times, but you didn’t answer,” he said with a grim face.
“Oh, I must have kept it somewhere and didn’t hear. But why did you look for me?” I asked as I already knew the answer.
“Hmm, I wanted to get some logo done by you,”
“Oh, you should have just send the details in an e-mail,” I said as I always feel a bit uneasy when I have unexpected visitors.
“But now I can work with you and get it done quickly,” He said with a happy smile.
I just looked at him shocked, a nightmare is about to happen……..
Yes, this is me. An #introvert , who do commission #design #projects , but I hate personally meeting people or calling them unless it really important. I might have panic attacks, or anxiety sometimes, even though you won’t notice. As I have learned the secret to mask them out and portrait a different personality but still being me.
What if I tell you my mobile only rings about 5-10 times a week, and I hardly call anyone unless it’s pretty important. I don’t carry it around with me everywhere I go. I have found ways to keep in touch through other means.
So how do I #communicate with my prospects clients?
Apart from meeting with a few closely known clients, with others I communicate through e-mails and have a chat (type) when it’s really necessary. And I have worked with many clients in this way so far with zero issues.
When I get a message from a prospect client, I always chat and gather the information and their vision or ideas for the end result. But if I feel I might not be suitable for their projects, I am polite enough to decline and help them find who will suit their work best. If I felt this is the right job for me, I further discuss with them through chat and confirm before I will go ahead with it.
With e-mailing I am able to send out the design drafts and discuss what need to improve and what their thoughts are on the design. And finalize the design project with the standards I have kept for my design work. Remember all these time I haven’t used a phone call, zoom call or any other way communication apart from messaging and e-mailing.
Is being an #introvert a disadvantage as a designer you may ask,
Well, from my experience I haven’t experienced any disadvantages so far. But I had lost a few clients because they wanted to do a lot of zoom video calls and call a lot. But I don’t regret losing those projects.
Being an #introvert is a blessing in disguise for me. This helps me to concentrate more on the creative work I do without many distractions. I have created a workflow that I follow from start to finish. Which have given me the ability to bring out my creativity in a way that is unique to me without others interfering to my flow of thoughts or my work.
Where I find my peace and my tranquility, in my home, with my work and with the nature I connect in my garden. These influence my mind and my workflow in a positive and an energetic manner. Which helps me with my creative work and mindset, that I have built up after years of practice.
How does it feel working with a client on site, face to face, as an #introvert?
Truth being said, it’s a bit uncomfortable. Especially when I have to work with a person I am not familiar with or have some connection to someone I know. Another thing that irritates my workflow is the continuous nagging and looking over the shoulder, giving suggestions before I can give out a draft. This disrupts my creative mindset and I end up doing the worst design I can ever imagine. (Fun fact: some buyers love that design… mmm)
What about networking as a introvert?
When it comes to networking, I share my work process and my fun projects on social media and youtube. Sometimes I do a vlog to give out some information about my recent projects. Apart from work I also share my photography and garden walks. I engage with a variety of people, and I love engaging with them on my social media platforms. This is also a way where I get to find new clients or people who are interested in my artwork.
What’s plus about being an #introverted #designer?
When it comes to commercial projects, I find that having introverted qualities help me to observe my client’s temperaments and understand their final goal with the project at hand. And having proper communication apart from unnecessary zooms and calls, I have the time to concentrate on a better project design.
When it comes to personal projects, they are created in my mind and as well as my write ups. I love my personal quiet time when I am doing these projects. Because these are the projects that gives me feel of fulfillment in my work.
Conclusion:
For me being an #introvert in the #creative field is a blessing. A personality that I am able to see the world in a bit of a different
angle and make it beautiful in simple quiet ways, unnoticed to the world but bring a happy smile on their faces.
