02. Elayna Speight on Becoming a Freelance Designer + Her Passion for Illustrations https://i0.wp.com/nachesnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/S78002-pin.jpg?fit=740%2C900&ssl=1 740 900 Nache’ Snow - Speaker, Author, Productivity Junkie, and Host of the Studio 78 Podcast Nache’ Snow - Speaker, Author, Productivity Junkie, and Host of the Studio 78 Podcast https://i0.wp.com/nachesnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/S78002-pin.jpg?fit=740%2C900&ssl=1 January 1, 2017 August 8, 2018

02. Elayna Speight on Becoming a Freelance Designer + Her Passion for Illustrations

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Studio 78 welcomes Elayna Speight, a former junior graphic designer turned freelance designer and artist, who shares her story about her transition from a typical nine-to-five to an entrepreneur. Elayna’s path to entrepreneurship was untraditional, like most, but she shares how an unexpected recommendation for her network illuminated her path to full-time freelance design work. Elayna also shares how lulls in job opportunities provided her time to build her brand and build confidence in her decision to step out on faith.

Elana is based in the Washington D.C. area, and her unique and dynamic illustrations can be viewed and purchased at her Etsy shop and on her website.

Her story is both inspirational and informative and serves a good example of how frustration coupled with faith can chart the path to professional freedom.

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Highlights

CORRECTION: In the interview, Elayna said her first internship was at Washington Performing Arts, but it was at Washington National Opera. She now freelances at the Washington Performing Arts.
She was frustrated and overworked as a junior designer and decided to step out on faith
Initially the jobs didn’t role in, but she knew it was the right decision
Elayna took time to build her brand when she didn’t have a steady stream of clients
People from previous jobs put her name in to a major company, which allowed her to land her first major freelance job
Elayna and Nache’ are tall bloggers that are part of a an amazing tall community (see links below)
Elayna is an artist and freelance designer, most of her revenue comes from her designs
She discusses taking part in Jake Parkers’s Inktober challenge that helped her post more on IG and strengthen her illustration skills
Started creating fashion illustrations with natural hair because she didn’t see it represented in other illustrations
Tips for getting started with illustration: Her dad took photos from albums and used them to practice illustrating
Elayna and Nache’ discussed their love for Skillshare to learn different business and creative skills
On marketing: Used Etsy ads, Pinterest, and Instagram to get new work out there
Elayna and Nache’ discussed frustrations with Facebook , but also ways it can be beneficial
The benefits of going to a designer is they can help you craft your brand
Dream: To have her art on a billboard or in magazines like Ebony and Essence
Other passions: Food, she loves to cook and bake
Product Elayna can’t live without: Netflix and Hulu