Hi First name / friend, The first month of the year is done, and what I want to know is, how has it been for you? Calm, hectic, creative?
For myself I've actually been fairly quiet with client work. I've been freelancing for 7 years now but I still get THE FEAR when I don't have any clients calling. I'm trying to use this time to not panic and get organised. I've finished my portfolio website as you know, and I've started posting on LinkedIn, which was one of my goals for this year. Obviously these things don't pay the bills but it feels good to get some personal projects moving in the right direction.
Enough about me, this week's edition of the Friday Finisher has some fun packaging I came across a few months ago while I was in Miami, a website for font lovers, and an article about habits freelancers should be making. Also, don't forget the Design Prom is coming up next week. If you haven't got your free ticket yet, there is still time, but don't wait for long!
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Reminder: Tickets Are Still Available
The countdown is on. The free online design conference Design Prom is just days away, and I'm so excited to virtually see you all there :)
📅 Mark your calendars: February 12–14
💖 Grab your FREE ticket below
🌟 Over 20+ world-class speakers
✨ Exclusive access to the Prom Pass, loaded with bonuses worth over $2K.
Whether you’re a branding pro, a web design wizard, or just looking for fresh inspiration, this is your chance to glow up your design biz and have a blast doing it! I'll be doing a 30 minute talk all about my social media journey and why you should share your passions with the world.
I would also really recommend upgrading your ticket to the Prom Pass as you get access to a huge amount of speaker's products, from templates, e-books, courses and more, it's a huge saving instead of buying them all individually! The price also goes up next week! |
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7 Creative Habits Every Freelancer Should Master
Freelancing gives you the freedom to work on your own terms, but without structure, it’s easy to fall into unproductive habits. Whether you’re just starting or years into your freelance journey, adopting the right routines can help you stay inspired, book better clients, and keep your creativity flowing.
From setting clear work hours to building a strong online presence, this article from Behance breaks down seven essential habits that every freelancer should integrate into their routine. If you want to improve your workflow, grow your client base, and avoid burnout, this article might be one for you. |
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Hot Sauce Just Got Hotter One of my joys in life is walking around a fancy supermarket and drooling over the packaging #justgraphicdesignerthings aha.
When I was in Miami a couple of months ago I came across a hot sauce that packed a punch on the supermarket shelf.
Yellowbird, the Texas-born hot sauce brand recently got a re-brand by Brooklyn-based studio Gander. Known for their playful and vibrant work (think the amazing Graza olive oil and Magic Spoon cereal), Gander gave Yellowbird a fresh look that matches its growing popularity.
The new branding ditches the old chaotic colors for a signature warm yellow across all bottles, with each flavor getting its own pop of colour. The Yellowbird mascot got a major personality upgrade too. Now, it's a cute little character that interacts with you on the website, appearing in fun scenes like roasting peppers or tending a garden.
I know you all love funky bold packaging design so if you haven't already seen this, go take a look, and Yellowbird if you're reading this, hook me up with a sponsor? |
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Mockups That Actually Look Good When presenting your designs, a high-quality mockup can make all the difference. Bendito Mockup is a platform offering premium, realistic mockups that help designers showcase their work in the best light possible. Whether you're presenting branding, packaging, or digital designs, using well-crafted mockups ensures your work looks polished, professional, and ready for the real world.
A poorly executed mockup can undermine even the strongest concept, while a high-quality one enhances details, materials, and the overall aesthetic. I've actually used a handful on my own portfolio website, and I've had many of you ask where they are from, Bendito is the answer.
Now I'm aware I've shared Bendito's freebies before, but I just wanted to highlight that I reached out to them to give me a coupon code for you all, where you can get 20% off their whole store if you use my code CALLUMMCHU20 - don't say I'm not good to you. |
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A Site For Font Lovers If you’re obsessed with typography, Typewolf is a goldmine of inspiration. Unlike basic font directories, this site showcases real-world examples of beautiful typefaces in use, helping you see how fonts truly come to life in branding, editorial design, and websites.
It’s also packed with expert font pairing recommendations, curated lists of the best typefaces, and deep dives into the latest typography trends. As someone myself who is always a little nervous about making typography pairing mistakes, this website gives me some guidelines to keep me in check.
Whether you’re searching for your next go-to font or just geeking out over great design, Typewolf is a must-visit. |
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NDSM
Amsterdam, 1033NA, The Netherlands |
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