“This article is not meant to be a ‘oh woe is me… it’s so expensive to be a web developer’ moan, I’m merely pointing out the costs that a lot of people (myself included) overlook when they set out to work on their own.”
Phil Thompson on some of the often overlooked costs involved with being a freelancer.
Spencer Fry 29 September 2008, 07:05
#1
That guy doesn’t list an external monitor! Does he only use one monitor? I hardly know any designers that can get away with that.
Phil Bowell 29 September 2008, 08:20
#2
@Spencer, he uses an iMac so it has a large enough screen to get buy. I’m forced to use a single 24” screen at work as a graphic designer and I survive.
Sam Brown 29 September 2008, 09:18
#3
I am firmly in the dual-monitor camp, after surviving for the longest time with only a single monitor (albeit my 15” MacBook Pro screen), the dual setup is well worth the money you spend on it.
There are quite a few other things I would have added to the list:
As well as the boring stuff such as rent, bills, accountant etc. Still, it's a pretty decent well thought out list. A good start.
Shaun Inman 29 September 2008, 12:39
#4
I did dual monitors for a couple years (after weening myself of a third 640×480 use solely for palettes and Audion) but I’m down to just one again. Not because of budget though. Focus is key to quality. Embrace unitasking. ⌘ + tab is your friend.
Sam Brown 29 September 2008, 22:05
#5
@Shaun – True. To be honest I say dual-monitor, but the only reason I bought my Cinema Display was to have a bigger monitor. I do use my MacBook Pro screen for Email and iTunes though, but that’s it.
Phil Thompson 29 September 2008, 22:10
#6
Until last month, I’d never known the joys of the external monitor; a place I was working had an external Apple display so I could hook up my macbook to it and wow – what a difference!
If I could go back in time to when I bought my imac, I’d definitely buy a macbook (normal, air or pro) and an external monitor, coupled with an extra keyboard, mouse and an iCurve. That’d be one hell of a setup.
Sam Brown 29 September 2008, 22:16
#7
@Phil – It is a pretty decent setup! :) I love it.
That said, I love the iMac’s and think they are great desktop machine, Cameron Hunt has a very sweet setup if full-screen proper dual-monitoring is your thing. Personally I just love my big screen and use the secondary for simple stuff.
Darren McPherson 30 September 2008, 00:30
#8
I’m easy on the monitor front. My old work a web agency I had 3 monitors, it was great.
My current job, an in-house company I only have 1 but its a 24” widescreen. It’s not so bad. I’m used to it.
At home it’s a macbook and a 22” widescreen.
I’m hoping to dive into the freelance world over the next year or 2. Consuming all the advice I can get.
Darren McPherson 30 September 2008, 00:38
#9
Sorry if im spamming. but the post from “Darren” on imgiseverything.com is not me:)
Phil Bowell 30 September 2008, 09:47
#10
The iMac’s are very nice. I have one at home which I use for the odd bit of freelencing and personal stuff. It does the job. I by no means de-cry the dual screen but like Shaun I prefer the single screen for focus.
Hi, I'm a UI designer developer based in Edinburgh Scotland working as lead web designer at foursquare in NY.
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