We at Fiverr love it when ambitious doers set their own course and challenge the status quo. So we’re thrilled to support a professional sailing team on a mission to make this elite sport accessible to anyone hoping to venture into uncharted waters.
Posted by Team Fiverr on Wednesday, August 29, 2018
Sailing is usually sponsored by big brands like Volvo and Rolex, so we are honored to bring our #MadeOnFiverr sense of scrappiness to an activity often associated with old money and fancy connections. But just because we’re the new kids on the block doesn’t mean that we don’t want to look good. So we asked Fiverr Pro seller ollysweatshirt to design Team Fiverr‘s sails. Read on to find out what inspires her, how she approached this unique creative brief, and why she thinks creative collaboration is changing the future of work (and sports)!
Tell us a little about yourself. Who you are, what you do, and what makes you tick as an independent professional.
Hi! My name is Olga Davydova, aka ollysweatshirt on Fiverr Pro. I’m a 25-year-old Moscow-based illustrator, member of the Artists Trade Union of Russia and a parent.
I’m a multidisciplinary artist. I’m in love with surface pattern design, illustration, wall murals, lettering and packaging design. From the beginning of my career I’ve decided to be as independent as possible. So I love to curate my artwork production myself.
How did you get your start as a designer? What inspired you to take the leap from side hustle to full-time freelancer?
I started building my freelance/remote-working career after film school graduation in 2015. I already knew that all I needed to be happy is to grow as an artist (particularly illustration and design), to communicate with the whole world, and to be with my family. And it is a huge gift that now, in the 21st century and age of the internet, that creatives can work from any place in the world.
What are the key elements of design?
I decided to capture a group of the sea creatures on this illustration and to make it a bit mysterious. So I added core sea animals along with the fantastic sea beast, who is their kind and fair king. Hope, they also have a strong parliament
Walk us through your creative or work process. How did you design the sails for the Team Fiverr boat?
The main source of inspiration for me was an object, which I was entrusted to decorate with my design – a yacht sail. I imagined how the boat would look among sea waves. Also, my imagination always starts to work after I establish a task and framework for it. So the brief, along with Fiverr’s brand colors was a good kickoff for my creativity.
I believe that this illustration has a strong connection with the Fiverr Community, as with the Fiverr logo. All the creatures cohabitate together, peacefully living near each other in all of their diversity.
Do you have one piece of advice for someone just getting started as a Fiverr seller?
Stay motivated, look at beautiful illustrations every day and ask yourself every time, why specifically you like them. Try to analyze each design element around you and surround yourself with well-crafted things. Design is a lifestyle.
Also your portfolio is your face, your compass, and everything. Fill it with only your best work, with things that you would want to make. If you don’t have enough cool examples of client work yet, just be a client yourself! Imagine the brief, the project of your dream, make it, add to your portfolio and your real dream project will find you soon.
What advice would you give to a first-time Fiverr buyer?
Decide what you want to get as a final result. Try to find something similar on Pinterest or Behance. Write a short brief with reference pictures. After that, search for an artist here on Fiverr, whose work is similar to what you want and write her or him to discuss the details before placing an order.
Be respectful to your designer, be ready to get their pricing, because the more experienced and in demand they are, the higher the price. Be as descriptive with your brief as possible. And you’ll get an awesome product which can boost your business as a result!
How has working on Fiverr changed the way you think about your profession? How is the ability to sell on Fiverr from anywhere in the world changing the future of work?
Thanks to Fiverr, I can work with different companies and individuals from around the globe rather than just from my hometown. Designing a pattern today, an illustration for a game tomorrow – there is a great diversity of projects. And I absolutely love it! Also, it’s very important that working through Fiverr is safe for both a buyer and a seller.
How do you balance working as an independent professional with being a creative?
I’ve set a rule that on weekends I work only on my personal projects. For example, recently I finished a big Zodiac Sign series this way. I’ve been working on this project for about four months. I believe that it’s important to develop personal projects because it’s essential to experiment and evolve.
What are your business goals for the coming year? Would you like to do next?
Firstly, I would like to work with some bigger corporations. I want to design a wonderful product which will make a lot of people happier. It could be apparel or a product design, or, maybe, a children’s toy or an illustrated book.
And also I would be happy to make a couple more colorful and inspiring wall murals.
Why is it important for freelancers to continuously uplevel and improve their skill sets?
I think that it’s necessary to always learn something new and improve your skills. Not only for freelancers but for any professional. Your career, mental health, and your happiness, as a result, depend on that. So, always create challenges for yourself and meet them.
How is online collaboration helping to democratize creativity?
Today, as a buyer, you can find the best and most suitable seller for a project yourself, on Fiverr.
You don’t need to contact agencies. And as an artist (illustrator/designer), you can extend your portfolio all over the internet and also be continuously inspired by fellow worldwide artists. So the world is more open today than ever. It’s inspiring, isn’t it?
Want to know more about Olga‘s creative process or Team Fiverr sailing? Ask us in the comments below!
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