We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Lisa McCormick a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Lisa thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with 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?

Working for yourself is weird in a lot of ways. When I say that I’m a freelance illustrator, it feels like most people have this perception that I don’t have a real job or don’t make any money. There’s also a perception that being a freelancer is sort of a lazy way out of a “real career” and that people think I probably work a few hours a day and get to just doodle whatever I want and that’s that. The irony is that neither of those perceptions are even close to the truth. But, I get it. It’s hard to understand someone’s work experience without having gone through it yourself. I wonder how many people’s jobs I’ve misunderstood…

Making a living out of freelancing is really, really hard. I started freelancing here and there while I was in college, along with working several other odd jobs. After graduation, I had a job as a graphic designer at a company (I made merch for college bookstores around the country) and continued freelancing nights and weekends. After a year of working for that company and freelancing on the side, I decided it was time to make the jump into full time freelancing. At that point, I had my first big client lined up and a strategy for my new business venture, as well as a website and other online portfolios. I was able to move back in with my parents while I got my feet off the ground (thank you mom and dad!) and focus hard on building my clients. I worked mostly in the outdoor industry and would travel to trade shows and do a ton of face to face networking as well as send out cold emails to everyone I could come up with.

Needless to say, freelancing is a huge HUSTLE. Luckily, I’m kind of extroverted so I was able to meet new people pretty easily, but I really struggled with “selling myself” and trying to get clients. I also really struggled with things I didn’t think about before starting–like taxes and what to charge for different projects. I quickly learned that freelancing means you wear all of the hats: marketing, accounting, sales, and of course Illustration and Design. It’s a lot.

Fast forward to 2022 and I have been freelancing full time now for 6 years. The first few years were tough. Everything was a huge learning curve and it takes time to work out the kinks and figure out the business side of things, as well as refining your skillset. I’m thankful to say that the last 3 years or so have been way different than the first 3. I no longer have to “hustle” for work and have been able to build my portfolio and client list so that I’m always busy. I also have a lot more confidence in pricing my work and know my value (I used to really struggle with charging people and imposter syndrome).

I think one of the major milestones I hit was back in 2020 I started teaching for Adobe on their platform. I taught illustration in Adobe fresco and that really helped elevate my credibility and bring me a different level of clientile. Also, being active on social media and networking in real life was really helpful. I can’t tell you how much Instagram has been helpful for me in having new clients reach out and find my work on there. It’s wild how lucky we are to live in a time when you can instantly get connected with people all over the world and promote your work for free online.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m a freelance illustrator, graphic designer and artist. I have been drawing since I was a little girl. My earliest memory is being in my parents old house doodling with crayons. As a teenager, I competed in city wide art shows around Chicago and learned how to do charcoals and oil painting at a local art studio. I’ve worked professionally as an illustrator and designer for the last 7 years and I really can’t imagine doing anything else.

I love collaborating with brands to create exciting new pieces. My work spans across a range of different mediums and industries. I’ve worked with PNC Bank and the Chicago Bears to create a series of illustrated GIFs for Instagram. I created 8 designs for Carhartt’s new 2023 Spring Line that will be on their shirts, hoodies, hats, etc. I made a custom design for Patagonia’s Chicago locations that were limited edition and screen printed in stores on shirts. I illustrated a coloring book for Kawasaki to giveaway at their big cross country summer trade show. I’ve done a ton of packaging designs for different cideries, breweries and vineyards. One of my on going clients is the marketing agency for the zoos, aquariums and museums around the country so I’ve been able to travel around to different states and see stickers, hats, water bottles, hoodies, etc with my designs on it which is super cool! I also teach for Adobe from time to time on their Adobe Live sessions.

I think the biggest thing that I have to offer to my clients is my personal style. My work is very hand drawn, filled with vibrant colors and usually exudes joy and doesn’t take itself too seriously. I think most people are looking for a human touch in such a “digital world”. We want to see something that was made by hand and is slightly imperfect and unexpected, and that’s what I offer.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

In 2018 I got my first iPad! It was a hand me down from my mom and it seriously changed my work. There was a learning curve to figuring out how to work the programs and draw digitally–but once I got over that, it improved my work ten fold.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

Bring more joy and beauty into the world.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.madebylisamarie.com
• Instagram: @madebylisamarie
• Linkedin: Lisa McCormick
• Other: Dribbble: https://dribbble.com/MadeByLisaMarie and Behance: https://www.behance.net/LisaMcCormick