Matthew Holland

I’ve always been in to art, I’ve never really done anything else and always knew it would be something I’d do just not what profession until I got to A levels and began my course on Graphic Design/Arts in which I took on further to university and now have the privilege of working with some fantastic people. I don’t generally do much else outside of design but my biggest hobby is photography, I enjoy motor sports and music, especially live music.

How did you started to work from home?

Working from home more just happened as I was at university, I wanted to get experience of working as a graphic designer but didn’t have enough previous experience to get in anywhere and be taken seriously so I did the opposite and began freelancing and bringing the clients and work to me, my big breakthrough was with my project for HTC which this threw me right in and I could quit my poor part time job as a cleaner previously and do what I’d enjoy doing for a living, no regrets on quitting my job previous.

Although starting out freelancing can be scary, stick at it and great things will happen!
I know get to travel about the South West meeting and working with some brilliant individuals and companies, charities and events.
University is great and it’s well worth the experience but one thing no one can teach you is communication and working with people nor the best method to get work, I’ve just found get yourself out there and known has been the best means.

If you haven’t seen this guy, check him out! Chuck Anderson of No Pattern – He left college after graduating and went straight into working now he is huge! His list of clients is ridiculous and I have followed the work of this man for years now and I have found every bit inspiring.
He is also a great laugh on Twitter with his tweets.

How long do you work from home and earn a living to you or you must still go to work?

As I’ve just finished university believe it or not, freelancing and working from home was a good means and method to fit it around university life but now going full time the progression has been great, I work from 10 – 6 and won’t answer emails after 7pm as you need time to un wind and get away from work, as much as I love it, I still enjoy having my own time to myself, watch tv, food, friends etc.

Although I don’t work every day, the time I’m not designing I’m networking and speaking to potential clients *note* everyone could have work, you never know who they know.
Billy your friend, knows a friend of a friend who is looking for a designer to do something for his office window – All about connections and who you know now a days so get on LinkedIn!

What is your normal day?

Coffee in the morning is a must, quick walk around the block to get some fresh air then back to get onto the computer for 10am and usually spend a good hour going through emails then by 11/12 time to do design work but I always work to music so speakers on, Itunes open, shuffle and go.

How often you work from home?

I don’t work weekends, as a print designer the printers aren’t open weekends so there is little point me doing work but I will spend this time on Twitter or other social network sites relaxing but still looking out for work for the following week.
As mentioned above, working 10am too 6pm week days and then get out the house for meetings or coffees with clients to discuss work – this is a weekly thing so a diary has been required from the beginning if you want to be taken seriously keep your time and plans well managed or you’ll be all over the place.

How to look your home office? 

My current office is in fact also my bedroom, this being student houses aren’t very big but once we move out and sort out the next apartment there will be a separate room or I’ll be working out of an office space in the city centre with other designers.
Can get lonely otherwise.

What would you say to people who want to start working from home?

Working from home has a lot of luxuries but also distractions, if you feel like you’d get distracted too easily it’s probably not best too but the bonuses from working at home is no office drama, no queuing for bathroom or to make a coffee, transport isn’t required as much. Can enjoy your own music which personally is a big thing for me.

If your thinking of freelancing I personally can tell you now! Stop thinking about it and do it.

The more you thinking about it and let it eat away at you clearly it’s something you want to do and I’ve learnt that in today’s society that you have to take risks, upset people and see some tears but it’s worth it, especially if you’re not enjoying your current job.

Thank you very much for your time!

Examples of Matthew’s work