Hobby is lovable. Lucky people are those who don’t have to sacrifice hobby for sake of their professions. And some of them are our inspirations who successfully converted their hobbies into freelance and have become ideal. Emrajina Islam is one of them! Apart from being a successful graphic designer plus entrepreneur, and an excellent mommy she is employed as an ambassador at Payoneer Bangladesh since 2016. She is also the founder of an IT company- Emrajina Technologies. Else, she is involved in some other entrepreneurship. She is working to engage women in the IT sector.
The story behind this Basis Freelancing Award winner (2013) startling personality is also amazing. She quelled our queries on different aspects. Do you want to listen? Alright, let’s go!
A Story of Self-reliance
She cherished a dream to be an artist in her childhood. Afterward, her hobby of drawing drives her to accomplish a Fine Arts certificate course at Bulbul Lalitakala Academy. She is a graduate of English Literature.
In the struggle of becoming self-reliant, she started her career in a telecommunication company. She has teaching experience too! But finally, she opted for freelancing due to its flexibility, provision of creative working opportunity as well as financial freedom. She engaged herself in various graphic designing courses to turn her hobby into freelancing.
Her freelancer journey began with a 25-dollar job. It was 2011 when she got registered in the then Odesk which is known as Upwork today. But before bidding on projects, she carefully prepared her portfolio spending almost 3 three months! After winning the first project, she didn’t have to look back anymore. Earlier she used to design logos, brochures, banners, websites, T-shirts, etc. Later on, she started working as a project manager at Elance along with her favorite designing shots. She enriched her experience in voice-over and business support too.
At a stage, she started getting blessed with dozens of projects. Then forming an agency named Creative Kittens she started their ‘project outsourcing’. Now it consists of ten 10 employees. Basically, it’s a designing agency. However, it also provides back-end office operation, data entry, research, 3D image, photo-video editing services, etc.
Why freelancing
A freelancer sells service that is based on some relevant skills. Being a go-getting graphic designer Ms. Emrajina aptly explained this.
“Graphic Design is a vast sector in freelancing. There are thousands of logo design, color correction related jobs. But an average level skill won’t be sufficient to do something extra-ordinary. You should know every minimal thing, be it common work like background removal or photo-editing. Suppose, if you think adding element means cut & set a picture then you seriously lack in. You should learn some crucial things like how to use different shades, what is shade correction, how to illustrate a substance of a picture realistically. Else, you should thoroughly know about color sense and usage of updated tools. Keep pace with the latest design trend, customer choice, etc.”
She says, “You are a graphic designer that means your taste is better than others.”
Moreover, she opined that freelancing is a one-man journey. Here bidding, cover letter writing, client negotiation all are up to the freelancer. It requires both patience and skill. Especially dedication, communication & stress-taking ability, and honesty are some must skills.
Necessary Skills to Become a Graphic Designer
A freelancer sells service that is based on some relevant skills. Being a go-getting graphic designer Ms. Emrajina aptly explained this.
“Graphic Design is a vast sector in freelancing. There are thousands of logo design, color correction related jobs. But an average level skill won’t be sufficient to do something extra-ordinary. You should know every minimal thing, be it common work like background removal or photo-editing. Suppose, if you think adding element means cut & set a picture then you seriously lack in. You should learn some crucial things like how to use different shades, what is shade correction, how to illustrate a substance of a picture realistically. Else, you should thoroughly know about color sense and usage of updated tools. Keep pace with the latest design trend, customer choice, etc.”
She says, “You are a graphic designer that means your taste is better than others.”
Moreover, she opined that freelancing is a one-man journey. Here bidding, cover letter writing, client negotiation all are up to the freelancer. It requires both patience and skill. Especially dedication, communication & stress-taking ability, and honesty are some must skills.
Freelancing Demands Balance & Professionalism
Unlike a 9-5 job, a career as a freelance graphic designer is far more flexible. You are not confined in a life-like cage. But Ms. Emrajina utters a caution. She says if someone fails to balance between personal and professional life, she or he can’t be happy. She knocked her memory, “Earlier I used to work like a robot. It wasn’t smart.”
Moreover, she emphasizes professionalism. She suggests that a witty freelancer exceeds clients’ expectations, treats them as friends or relatives, updates regularly. She also thinks that a hard-working mentality along with a positive attitude is enough to succeed, this won’t suit a whimsical person.
Challenges for Women
From solo freelancer to agency owner, her journey wasn’t a bed of roses. As a woman, she faced many difficulties.
She says, “Here chances and challenges both are high for women. They have to look after children, maintain various family issues. To build up a career in freelancing you have to deliver works on time, communicate with clients properly. This is tough for Bangladeshi female freelancers. So securing family support is essential for them.”
Why Freelancing Better for the Women
However, she thinks that freelancing can be a great working type for our women. It is free of office politics or transport-suffering.
“Corporate pressure and fear of potential harassment hinder our women. They get reluctant. So freelancing will be much comfortable for them. Even based on a general life-skill or book-keeping skill women can do this. They just need cooperation from family members to shine.”
On Preparation for This Journey
“Better you research before opening an account. Suppose you are a writer, then you should find out the best marketplace for writing. Then you discover the most demandable jobs on which you can choose your niche. “
She adds, “Learn from the high-profile freelancers how they made their profiles for selling service.”
Ms. Emrjina also told that Google, Youtube can be a good friend of a newbie for learning. Writing on your own blog will be wise as it easily attracts clientele.
She says, “Your blog will serve as a portfolio. Learn from others how they built their own, but never copy. If you don’t have a portfolio, forget freelancing.”
She encourages in a different way. She thinks properly delivering a project is more important than winning it. She firmly hopes that Bangladeshi men, women both will ensure a unique height in the freelancing world. Prominent platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and Toptal are ready to welcome them.