Dave Keizur
AWAI Member Since: 2004
Age: 55
What’s your current occupation?
Freelance Graphic Designer
What’s your former occupation?
Database conversion and management for the Spares Division of the Boeing Company
What was the first project you landed?
I was actually hired by a fellow graphic designer who I met at AWAI’s Bootcamp in 2004. She was writing a book for a good friend and wanted a website designed to complement the book.
What are your current projects?
I’m working with several small businesses and small business owners on a variety of projects, ranging from flyers to websites. A local finance company is having me design postcards for a direct-mail program that they intend to launch in the coming months, as well.
What has been your proudest graphic design moment?
Seeing my design published in a national magazine. I took over the design of a ¼-page ad with a 7-day deadline to get it into the publisher’s hands, because my client’s designer went on vacation before the design was finished. I had the concept ready in 24 hours, the approval and reworks done 3 days later, and the file submitted to the publisher 3 days ahead of schedule.
What’s your favorite niche to design for?
No favorite niche – I enjoy the challenges of designing for all types of projects.
What’s your income goal for this year?
My goal is $150K. Although I’m not quite there, I’ve been doubling my income each year since 2004.
What’s your design routine?
I usually sit down at my computer about 9 a.m., clear out all email, and then start working on projects. In between projects, I work on my marketing, update my website or work on projects for my business networking group.
I make sure to take breaks every hour or so, even for just a few minutes, to keep the creative juices flowing. Depending on the projects at hand, I usually quit for the day around 4 p.m.
Please give us an example of how your life has changed since becoming a freelance graphic designer.
I’m much happier now than when I was working a 9-to-5 job. I’m still looking for a steady flow of work (things seem to be feast or famine from month to month), but this still beats punching a time clock.
AWAI helped refine my skills as a graphic designer. I have a college degree in art and design, but most of my work since then was self-taught and for the companies I worked for. AWAI’s Graphic Design Success program and Bootcamp gave me focus and an understanding of what I was doing wrong before, and showed me how to improve my work.
My hope is that I can achieve the same measure of success as Mike Klassen and Dennis Rome, two of my fellow attendees at AWAI’s 2004 Bootcamp.
What success tip would you like to share with your fellow freelancers?
Learn to network. It is by far the least expensive way to advertise yourself and your business. Join a business networking group in your area, such as BNI or LeTip, or join your Chamber of Commerce.
If you sit around waiting for jobs to find you, you may have a long wait. Even small jobs help build your portfolio.
When did you realize you were living the freelancer’s life?
My current business is only a fraction of what I’m shooting for, but it does continue to grow. I’m sort of the everyday Joe who continues to grind it out until I get to where I want to be. I’m getting a lot of experience growing slowly. I’m gaining the experience I’ll need so when the large, lucrative projects come my way, I’ll be able to handle them without any panic or second-guessing of myself. As long as I keep moving forward and keep designing, I know I won’t fail.
