# Freelance TV

_Published on 28 April 2017 at 9:04 PM · Updated on 1 July 2025 · Around 2 minutes to read_

**Dann Petty** has put together a series called [Freelance TV](http://freelance.tv/) that documents freelancing. Inspired by the interviews, I thought I’d talk to the many freelance roles I have for filled over my career.

**Independent**

There is a stigma with the word freelancing that made me uncomfortable early in my career. To me I did not work for free, I was not some guy working in a basement etc, rather I was an independent professional and I guess, literally a one man show for the first 10 years of my career, because I chose to be self-employed as I had no formal design education.

**Freelancer slash unemployed**

Between working at agencies, I was forced to freelance in order to bring in some sort of income between finding full-time employment.

**Freelance employee**

While holding a position at agencies, I have worked as a freelance designer while also earning a full-time salary. This was nice way to earn some extra income, but it’s time-consuming and really difficult to pull off given the attention to detail I am used to putting into projects.

**Freelancer at an agency**

Probably my least favorite experience has been freelancing at agencies. The sitting at an agency having to design or direct seems forced and just didn;t sit well with me. People don;t treat you with the same level of respect and you pretty much just feel like a screwdriver executing someone else’s bad ideas.

Whatever your situation and your reasons for freelancing, I hope it gives you both the freedom and rewards you deserve.

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