We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Blake Spiegel. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Blake below.

Hi Blake, thanks for joining us today. Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?

I would be happy to! Well, to most, the journey as a full-time creative might appear to be an uphill battle, but what I’ve come to realize was that it was never that far out of reach. Many designers, artists, and creatives have ventured down this path successfully, whether they approached it deliberately or not. So, hopefully I can shed some light on some of the more difficult parts I wish I knew before I started.

My professional creative adventure kicked off right after I graduated from college back in 2018. Let me tell you, those early months were both terrifying and thrilling. I was faced with the daunting challenge of making a name for myself with just your creativity on your side. But as it turned out, the scariest journeys often lead to the most exciting destinations.

In those first few years after college, I was obsessed with creating the work that I was genuinely passionate about, even if it wasn’t for anyone in particular. I spent hours upon hours creating passion projects in my freetime and on the bus. I designed things I loved because it brought me joy. Little did I know that these passion projects were attracting the right clients. Sure, down the road some client projects may have had loads of potential but, well, pretty tight budgets. I mean, I was already doing what I loved for free, so why not make a few bucks from it, right? This meant I put in a ton of hours for very little return, but what it did give me was a portfolio filled with work that I was crazy about. The opportunity cost of doing this type of work was invaluable, and also taught me a lot of great lessons along the way.

Fast-forward a few years of value-based pricing, hard work, and saying “no” to the wrong-fit clients, I found myself with a portfolio of work that I truly enjoyed creating. I soon realized this was called “finding your niche.” In a nutshell, my path to making a full-time living through creativity was anything but straightforward, it was a journey of self-discovery and staying true to my passion. It took some guts to start with low-paying gigs, but it turned out to be a gateway to more fulfilling opportunities. The key is to keep at it, keep refining your strengths, and create the work you want to get hired to do.

So, if you’re also on a journey for that perfect balance, my advice is simple: Experiment with all the things that make you unique. Figure out your strengths and acknowledge your weaknesses. Then, focus on creating the work you love and want to be known for, and then make a lot of it.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Definitely! Thanks again for having me. My name is Blake, and I’m a full time Senior Designer by day, and an independent freelance designer by night.

Similar to a lot of creatives, my journey into design can be traced back to my early years. My parents were entrepreneurs and always kept the door open to doing what I loved, no matter what the cost. I have to thank them for where I am today. As soon as they were around, I was glued to a computer and knew my way around them pretty well at a young age. I was also drawing… A lot. So, when I found out that you could create art on computers, graphic design immediately felt like a second language to me. I felt like I found my calling in High School as I ventured more into the duality of digital art and printmaking. I doubled down and studied design and typography for 5 years before making my way to Minneapolis in search of a career.

In my professional life I now work full time at a branding agency called Sussner. Outside of that, I specialize in creating dynamic and intricate branding that tells a unique narrative for my clients. Ultimately, I aim to help new and established businesses achieve their business goals with specialized visual solutions, and I do my best to make that process easy. My goal is to continue to create thoughtful branding for those who value the unique.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

That’s a great question… For me, the most rewarding aspect of being a designer is the sense of fulfillment that comes from seeing a client truly happy with the end result of a project. It’s deeply gratifying to look back and see how a creative solution aligns with their goals and brings their ideas to life. I relish the opportunity to expose the creative process for clients, showing them the journey from concept to execution, and seeing the impact that makes on their business. Collaboration has always been a source of fulfillment and motivation for me.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

This has taken a long time to figure out, but my personal mission is to create thoughtful branding for those who value the unique. It sounds simple, right? Well, that’s because it is. Be thoughtful, and be unique. There’s something incredibly satisfying about creating something truly one of a kind for companies that value it the most. Sometimes this means I have to take a step back and ask myself if what I’m creating is meeting the status quo, or is going to (hopefully) surpass their goals and expectations. If my answer is ever remotely near the camp of status quo, my job has only just begun. It’s not easy work, but it sure does feel great to look back and see the process that took you there. It’s a journey filled with genuine care for the craft of great work, and a deep connection to helping people realize their businesses potential.

Contact Info:

• Website: spiegeldesign.co
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blakespiegel/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blakespiegel/