Comments on: Can web designers be optimistic as the crunch begins to bite?

By: Designing throug a ‘recession’

Designing throug a ‘recession’ — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 08:35:49 +0000

[...] copyright Aaron Russell The truth is, as freelance web designers we have good reason to be optimistic. With slashed [...]

By: Oneiric Designer | My steps taken when the recession affected me as a designer

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 00:19:08 +0000

[...] I needed some experience for my portfolio and two year old don’t sit. I’m I ready?YES!!! Aaron Russell a recent freelancer him self, writes “The truth is, as freelance web designers we have good [...]

By: Designing through a recession | David Airey » graphic designer, logo designer

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 13:34:31 +0000

[...] copyright Aaron Russell The truth is, as freelance web designers we have good reason to be optimistic. With slashed [...]

By: Andrew Kelsall

Andrew Kelsall — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 10:05:55 +0000

Hi Aaron,

just like David and Brian, I have not been effected by recent work requests. Infact, it’s quite the opposite. The trouble is, I feel clients are looking for cheaper quotes…but at least the work is still there. I think now more than ever, designers ought to expand their skillset into Marketing, especially online..this is where the money lies.

Not that ant true designer does it for the money, but reality does bite! Great post…

By: Benjamin Dyer

Benjamin Dyer — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 08:52:43 +0000

Aaron, that’s a great article. I am glad things are going well for you in the land of self employment.

I really do think we have a lot to be positive about, our industry has a resilient ability to bounce back and people turn to us to find cheaper better solutions. That said there is going to be pain and we will all feel it.

By: Brandon Cox

Brandon Cox — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 02:58:25 +0000

People who are out of work are often forced to get creative, so many are launching new online initiatives, which is great for us! But I’ve noticed a lull in activity from established small businesses.

By: Aaron

Aaron — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 09:21:46 +0000

@Shaun - Glad to hear business is good. It seems a lot of people are saying that too. And I agree I've had no shortage of credit card companies littering my mailbox with crap. I just hope we're still saying it's over hyped this time next year. @Sarah - Yeah, probably a wave we'd rather not be riding, but here's to us posting about this next year and how we got through it! @Brian - Good luck with the mortgage app. Hopefully with the hundreds of billions of tax payers money the banks have received of late, you'll be alright. If not, then I think as a tax payer you'd have good reason to be a bit annoyed! @David - Also, glad to hear business is good. Good luck with your own property search and mortgage app.

By: David Airey

David Airey — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 08:41:14 +0000

I moved back to Northern Ireland with the intention of finding a mortgage (Edinburgh prices aren’t very appealing), but will be holding off for a while yet, as I expect prices to continue falling until the market ‘rights’ itself.

There’s something seriously wrong when a property you could rent for £500 per month needs mortage repayments of £1,000 per month.

Brian, good luck in your own mortgage search.

Anyway, back on topic, business has been great for me, so I’m in agreement, Aaron. Freelancers and those with low overheads are in a better position than most in these times.

By: Brian Yerkes

Brian Yerkes — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 20:02:21 +0000

Great post Aaron. I haven’t felt any sort of hit from this economic downturn…and I live in the States where it is even more serious than the rest of the world right now in terms of how fast it is crashing.

Last week was one of the most historic that the US stock exchange has ever seen, yet the number of inquiries from potential clients my company received last week was a record high! It is true that some businesses take economic downturns and use them as a chance to market more effectively…but I did not expect it to happen the same week as the market crashing below 9,000!

I will be applying for a mortgage soon and it will be interesting to see if I am still approved …I was about to buy a year ago and was approved fine…but I am not so sure about it this time…loans, mortgages etc are going to be tough to get from here on in for the next few years I think.

By: Sarah Parmenter

Sarah Parmenter — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 19:14:42 +0000

Great article Aaron, it’s certainly food for thought isn’t it. I don’t expect for one minute the storm has passed, as you say, it’s only the beginning and it’s going to be an interesting wave to ride with everyone.