We recently connected with Ally Plume and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Ally, thanks for joining us today. The first dollar you earn in a new endeavor is always special. We’d love to hear about how you got your first client that wasn’t a friend or family.

When I first went freelance, it wasn’t something I had planned. I had been working as the only graphic designer at my previous full-time job, but a round of layoffs in December hit most of the company, including me. After the shock settled, I immediately started working on my portfolio and sharing the news with friends and family. A few weeks later, I received an unexpected call from Brighton, a local agency, who needed help animating a project. It turned out that a friend I had confided in was also friends with Brighton’s motion designer, Bradley Davis, and had passed along my name.

In that moment, everything clicked—I realized how much my relationships and hard work mattered. It wasn’t just about finding work; it was about the support system I hadn’t realized I had built. The feeling of hope and excitement when I landed that project was incredible, knowing that people believed in me and were willing to help me succeed.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I graduated from Lindenwood University in 2019 with a degree in Interactive Media and Web Design, where I gained skills in Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, HTML/CSS, and After Effects. One of the most pivotal moments in my career came when I took an Intro to Motion Graphics class taught by Darren Collier. His mentorship inspired me to dive deeper into motion graphics, and I was fortunate enough to take an independent study where I explored areas like character animation and Cinema 4D.

After graduation, I had the opportunity to interview at Paradowski Creative, thanks to Dan Rayfield seeing my work on LinkedIn. My time there as a Junior Motion Designer, under the guidance of Eric Bowman, was invaluable. Eric not only mentored me but also shaped my approach to motion design through his extensive knowledge and passion for the craft.

From Paradowski, I moved to Aligned Media, where I continued to grow, learning the intricacies of timelines and developing strong client relationships under the leadership of Bryan Arnold. Eventually, I transitioned to Zumper, a real-estate startup, where I served as the lead brand designer and was responsible for creating all video content. This role taught me how to manage multiple creative elements and maintain brand consistency across platforms.

For the past year, I’ve been freelancing full-time while also teaching Motion Graphics at Maryville University. Teaching has given me the chance to pay forward the mentorship that shaped my career. I strive to create a supportive environment for my students, where they feel comfortable asking questions and making mistakes, so that they can gain the technical skills they need to succeed. Helping students grow, just as my mentors helped me, is one of the most rewarding aspects of my career. It’s a privilege to be able to guide them through their own creative journeys.

I believe my diverse skillset sets me apart. I specialize in projects that combine illustration, design, and animation—essentially taking a script and bringing it to life, from the initial sketches to animation and sound editing. I pride myself on offering a holistic creative service, which allows me to provide seamless, cohesive results that tell a story visually.

What I’m most proud of is how my work helps my clients. Whether it’s simplifying complex ideas through animation or crafting engaging visuals that capture attention, I strive to create work that makes a real impact. I want potential clients to know that I’m not just a designer or animator—I’m a partner who’s invested in bringing their vision to life in a way that’s both beautiful and effective.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

The most effective strategy for growing my clientele has been finding common ground with other professionals in my field. I make it a point to connect with designers and animators on platforms like Instagram and LinkedIn, not just to promote myself, but to genuinely engage with their work. When I come across great work, I always make sure to give kudos to the creator and show real interest in their process.

By being active in these creative communities, I’ve built relationships that often lead to new opportunities. I also post my own work regularly, sharing insights into my process and the story behind each project. This has allowed me to foster a network that’s based on mutual respect and creativity. In turn, these connections have helped me grow my clientele organically, as word-of-mouth referrals and collaborations come naturally when you’re genuinely invested in the success of others.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

When I started working at Paradowski Creative right out of college, I quickly realized that despite working hard in school, I still had so much to learn about the industry. I was creating my work in the most manual and time-consuming ways because I hadn’t yet been exposed to many of the industry standards and tools that I now use regularly. This inexperience led to a challenging moment—after my first six months, instead of receiving a full-time offer, my contract was extended. It felt like a setback, and I questioned myself.

But instead of giving up, I saw it as an opportunity to grow. I leaned on my team for guidance and worked relentlessly to improve. Their mentorship, combined with my determination to elevate my skills, paid off. Four months later, I earned the full-time position I had been working toward. That experience taught me that resilience isn’t just about pushing through hard times—it’s about being open to learning and finding ways to rise above your limitations.

Now, as a teacher, I strive to share these industry insights with my students to set them up for success. I want them to avoid some of the hurdles I faced, so they can enter the industry equipped not only with technical skills but also with the practical knowledge that will help them navigate real-world challenges. Watching my students grow and helping them gain that competitive edge is one of the most fulfilling parts of my journey.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.allyplume.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allisonplume/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allyplume/