Have you ever wondered how to start your own graphic design business? Or maybe you want to hear from real-life freelance designers and learn about their real-world business results!

 

Our Aventive Academy graduates have grown their freelance graphic, brand, and web design businesses — from doubling their prices, to finding their niches, to signing bigger clients & making more money!

 

Today we’re speaking with Farrah Dodson, an Oregon-based brand designer & the founder of Everwest Design Studio. Farrah graduated from our Profitable Designer Program, and she has an incredible story along with some remarkable design projects.

 

Hi Farrah! Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

My name is Farrah and I am a brand designer based in Bend, Oregon.

 

I’ve always been artistic, but I first fell in love with design while studying at Portland State University where I received my Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design from a highly competitive program.

 

Since then, I’ve built a professional background working as an in-house brand and editorial designer for large-scale companies in the fashion and publishing space.

 

After being fully immersed in the design world for nearly a decade, I’ve developed a deep-rooted passion for telling brand stories through graphic design and have seen the positive impact and doors it can open for businesses.

 

As a result, I felt very called to open my own design studio to help more businesses grow and connect with their target audience through strategic brand and web design. Thus, Everwest Design Studio was born!

What type of design services do you offer?

The core services I offer through Everwest Design Studio are brand identity design, website design, and editorial layout design.

 

To learn more about my offerings, check out my website. You can also view some of my favorite projects I’ve done in my portfolio, and be sure to follow my design studio on Instagram @everwestdesignstudio for branding and website tips and a peek into my entrepreneurial journey!

 

What inspired you to enroll in the Profitable Designer Program?

After discovering Aventive Academy on Instagram, I decided to attend one of Kady’s free workshops on the topic of growing a freelance graphic design business. During the workshop, she shared her own entrepreneurial story, advice on how to attract and land high-end clients and tips for pricing your design services.

 

After hearing what a wealth of knowledge Kady is, I was sold and signed up for Aventive Academy’s course the very next day!

How did the Profitable Designer Program help you become a better freelance business owner?

The Profitable Designer Program taught me literally EVERYTHING I needed to know about running a successful design business: from putting together a business plan, pricing my services, and even how to write successful project proposals and legal documents.

 

This information was incredibly valuable to me in repositioning and rebranding my freelance design business. Although I hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Graphic Design, I was never taught the essential skills of managing a successful design business.

 

What numbers have changed in your business since taking the Profitable Designer Program?

Since taking the Profitable Designer Program I have DOUBLED my prices and gained so much more confidence in myself and my business.

 

I’ve just recently launched my rebranded business, but I’m already getting more leads than ever before because I am showing up, running my marketing the right way, and communicating my value to potential clients.

 

 

What is something that you’re most proud of when it comes to your freelance career?

I am very proud of the portfolio I’ve built over the years and how honed in my style and aesthetic is. I feel confident in creating truly inspiring visual identities for my clients that will attract their target audiences and build lasting connections.

 

I also have a lot of pride of ownership in my business. Even though it takes time to grow, being an entrepreneur is incredibly rewarding!

 

What are some of your long-term goals?

My main long-term goal is for Everwest Design Studio to become a very well established and trusted brand and web design studio among my local community. There is a wonderful small business community here in Bend, Oregon, and I would love to become more involved in it and help more local entrepreneurs elevate their businesses into thriving brands!

 

I also would like to eventually set my schedule to a four day work week. That has always been a dream of mine and the flexibility of being my own boss definitely makes it a reachable goal!

 

What is your number one piece of advice for aspiring freelance graphic designers?

Know your worth, the value you bring to the table, and charge accordingly! I see so many designers charging way less than what they should be.

 

Also, don’t give up if you don’t get a ton of clients right away. Building up a steady clientele takes time and hard work, but you can do it and once you do, it will be so worth it!

 

Share your work as much as you can and reach out to your personal network and ask them to spread the word about your services. The power of word of mouth is pretty incredible.

 

What concept from Aventive Academy would you suggest that every freelance graphic designer learn, and why?

I think that every freelance graphic designer should learn how to set up a proper business and brand plan and understand the “What, Why and How” behind their business and mission.

 

Writing my business plan really helped me figure out who my ideal clients are, how to communicate my unique value to them, how to correctly price my services, my brand voice and so much more!

 

What do you consider your most successful design project?

I would say my most successful design project is the rebrand I created for Seamwork, a modern sewing pattern company dedicated to spreading creativity by reviving the art of sewing a handmade wardrobe. Prior to the rebrand, Seamwork’s branding was very playful and youthful and it didn’t necessarily attract their ideal customer base.

 

So after a lot of research and brand strategy, I created a more elevated and sophisticated aesthetic to better align with their products and target audience.

 

I created a beautiful color palette with a variety of earth tones and neutrals and a graphic design style that utilizes dynamic framing and layering elements to create striking visual experiences that reflect the aspirational style represented by Seamwork.

 

In addition to this rebrand, I was also the sole editorial designer behind each monthly issue of Seamwork Magazine for over five years — something I’m very proud to have been a part of! When I was growing up, it was always a dream of mine to work for a magazine, so getting to design one cover-to-cover every month felt like a dream come true.

 

You can view the full project here.

 

Where do you get your inspiration for your designs?

I love to seek inspiration from a variety of resources. I live in a beautiful mountain city in Oregon, so I take a lot of inspiration from the outdoors and natural elements. Hiking along the river and through the forests really helps me refresh my creative mindset when I’m feeling blocked or stressed.

 

I’m also really inspired by book cover designs, so I enjoy browsing through bookstores. When I’m looking for everyday inspiration, Pinterest is my go-to because its super accessible and there is a plethora of gorgeous design projects to be found.

When you’re not designing, do you have a favorite free time activity you like to do?

When I’m not designing, you’ll likely find me outside exploring my local landscape of Central Oregon, catching up on my favorite fantasy series, or having a sip at a local wine café or coffee shop.

 

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Thank you Farrah for sharing the story of your freelance design studio! We love having you in the Aventive Academy community and are so proud of your success, as well as your locally-driven passion for helping companies in the Bend, Oregon area. We look forward to seeing you continue to shine and to seeing your design studio grow even more.