Thomas Frick

This artist started off in a studio,

then decided to go freelance…

What did you learn from your time working at a studio?

Joining a studio enabled me to learn how to work in a team and be part of a process. But more than anything, it meant I could improve myself really fast – a lot faster than when I was learning at university.

What made you decide to go freelance?

I had already started doing freelance jobs when I was in the studio, and I didn’t want to join another studio immediately afterwards. Even though I was scared, I thought I had to try living by myself and being my own boss. Step by step, I managed to make enough contacts to be able to start working full time, and have enough money to live and eat. I tried to diversify as much as possible. Now clients approach me. I’m pretty comfortable, but it took years to reach this point.

Do you prefer working in a studio or being freelance?

Personally, I’m really happy with my current freelance position and I would suffer if I had to go back to working in a studio. Being in a studio brings a lot of advantages, but there are many advantages in being freelance too: working at home, being able to choose your working hours, having awesome rates if you’re talented and reliable, being your own boss, choosing you holidays and your free time.

Any advice for other artists?

Know your environment, look at what others artists do, try to understand how and what they do what they do, be curious and try to improve yourself with what you see. And most importantly, don’t fear the future!