Freelancing isn't that mad - a panel event for early-stage independent creatives
- 8 hours ago
- 2 min read
Once you go freelance, there's one thing that you learn very quick - nobody really teaches you how to do it. For the most part, you figure out day rates by panicking, googling and guessing. You say yes to unpaid "exposure" gigs because you don't know you're allowed to say no. And somewhere in the middle of all that, you're still supposed to be making great work.
We've been there.
On Wednesday 29th July, we're hosting Freelancing Isn't That Mad - a panel night at Uncommon Creative Studio's new Clerkenwell office, built for creatives who are early in their freelance journey and tired of winging it.
More of us are going freelance than ever, sometimes by choice, sometimes because a "restructure" made the decision for us. According to PWC, "50% the global workforce will be freelance by 2030." In the UK creative industry, nearly a third of us already are. So why does it still feel like a made-up way of working?
That's the gap we're trying to close.
The panel talk will feature experienced creatives from both ends of the spectrum, from freelancer to founder and recruiter, this way we can make sure we're sharing a wide view of what it take to build as sustainable freelancer career as a creative. Speakers.
Jedidah M. - Film Director and Founder of CTRL + CREATE
Naomi Dacosta - Design Recruiter
Nate Agbetu - Curator, Strategist and Entrepreneur
Moderated by our very own Aisha Ayoade, Co-Founder of Yellowzine.
Whether you're a designer, director, writer, photographer, or you're not even sure what to call yourself yet, if you're trying to make freelancing actually work, this one's for you.
"I became freelance in 2024, and honestly it felt like there was a hidden set of rules and regulations that no one would share. Every conversation with a client or potential client felt like I had to advocate for myself in a way that I simply didn't really have the tools for. Luckily for me, I have a brother that's been a creative freelancer for years, so he was able to tell me what was 'normal' and what was… exploitation. But not everyone has that - we're basically trying to be that sibling for other people in the same shoes." - Aisha Ayoade, Founder, Yellowzine
The details
Freelancing Isn't That Mad Wednesday 29th July, 6:30 – 9:30 PM Location, Uncommon Creative Studio,102-108 Clerkenwell Road, London, EC1M 5SA
Founding Partner: Uncommon Creative Studio
Programme Partner: Tangerine
This event is our soft launch of something bigger: MAD Academy, our next chapter dedicated to supporting creative freelancers from the African and Asian diaspora.
We'll be sharing more soon, but mark your calendars: applications open 30th July.
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