Anna Wilson
Keep at it. Follow the nudges. If it’s something you truly feel called to and there’s nothing else you’d rather be doing, it’s meant to be and will work out.
I’ve always been drawn to beautiful and interesting design and visuals but never really knew how to get on the path to ‘work in design.’ I studied journalism as I’ve also always been interested in writing and words and came to London to develop a career for myself.
I started working for the NHS in communications and would sit with the two in-house designers every day and ask questions. So I learned a lot from them on the job and ended up taking on design work within that role. I still wanted to learn the Adobe programmes properly so I took the year-long part time course at Shillington College. After I graduated, I had planned to launch into the design industry but found out I was pregnant with my first daughter so stayed put. This pushed me to take on freelance work and only take on the projects that I really wanted to do.
What does a dream project look like to you?
A dream project is working with a client who has a clear idea of what they want but are happy for me to take creative direction, and collaborate along the way. I love when clients completely trust me and give me free reign to play and explore, but know what their end goal is.
What is something that makes you feel stressed in your business?
Constantly having to market myself! I’m actually working with a mentor right now who is helping me with this because I know I need to put my work out into the world consistently, but I feel a lot of resistance around it. She’s providing me with accountability to finish my new website and put a plan together to utilise Pinterest.
Lily + Pair jewellery branding by Anna Wilson
Where do you look for inspiration?
I do love Pinterest for loads of instant visuals. London is oozing with inspiration so now that life is opening again, it’s nice to get out as I get inspired from different forms of typography on signage, street murals or promotional posters.
What challenges do you think the creative field will face in the next 10 years?
There seems to be more people working for themselves, so that means more design work but also more designers! I actually think it’s an exciting time for the creative field as more people are starting their own business and you can reach anyone across the world. Especially because of the past year, life has been expedited as people have become very clear on what they want and are just going for it!
Sukha Interior design branding by Anna Wilson
Chapter one event branding by Anna Wilson
“Don’t be afraid to invest in your knowledge and business. There’s a lot you can learn for free online but there will be times when you hit a wall and need some guidance to grow further.”
What is your best tip for reaching your business goals?
Keep at it. Follow the nudges. If it’s something you truly feel called to and there’s nothing else you’d rather be doing, it’s meant to be and will work out. There is no such thing as an overnight success so you just have to show up every day.
What is something you would like to learn more about?
I wanted to learn more web design and coding but I’ve now discovered a platform called Showit that operates like an Illustrator programme and doesn’t require any coding! I’m always learning something - I love to learn and grow and expand my skills. Currently I want to learn more about processes, the art of client enrollment and putting together a marketing plan.
Do you have any tips for staying motivated and productive?
I like to break down the big goals into smaller more achievable ones as otherwise I get very overwhelmed. So I’ve started writing down three main goals I want to achieve each week which makes them feel manageable. This manages my expectations and also if I get all of them done, it frees up time to do another task if required or do something else I enjoy.
What advice would you give someone who is just starting their own design business?
Don’t be afraid to invest in your knowledge and business. There’s a lot you can learn for free online but there will be times when you hit a wall and need some guidance to grow further. I’ve taken many courses and had mentors at different points when I knew I needed advice from others.
Any last thoughts?
It’s taken me years to get to where I want to be (with two kids in between!) and I just want to say it’s all possible if you keep at it. Really celebrate your unique style and you’ll find your niche.
Connect with Anna
Do you want to get more organised in your business?
With Kayla you can on-board your clients, collaborate with other creatives and get all the files you need on time and in the right format.
