How It All Began

If I would have told you that I wanted to become a geography and art teacher prior getting into graphic design you might have told me that "that is probably a really great way to build up a career that will suit you the most." I imagined myself becoming a teacher, teaching students about the natural world, space and just opening their eyes up to see the greater picture about our World... Well, this path quickly faded away when I happened to hold a camera in my hand. No, not a DSLR, not at all... afterall it was about 15+ years ago. It was one of those big, chunky cameras that you've had to insert a VHS tape and record everything looking through a lens and carrying the equipment on your shoulder.... yeah, I'm old and I know. :)

When I left school and got my first job as a graphic designer, I loved everything about it. I've had a big office, a few printer and a sense of freedom that I've enjoyed very much. Creating things on the computer was always something I've enjoyed doing. My work from the very beginning aside corporate work, was creating Star Trek themed artwork just for fun and it was indeed fun. Creating for myself was never a problem, until my critical self came by and more and more pushing me to redesign after redesign and so on... like I was never satisfied with my work. Some people would say that it's a weakness. I always believed that it was a necessary lesson to become the person professionally who I am today. Everyone can do better things and it comes down to the very old methodology of practice, practice and practice. So that's what I did in the past 15+ years, practicing... and to be fair I'm still doing it, the only difference that I'm getting better at it now. :)

Professionally I've had he chance to challenge myself as well. I've had the fortunate to work with smaller and bigger clients over the years, helping them reaching their goals with branding and design ideas. I'm really proud that I was able to do good work before and I thank for that for my 17 years old self who kept practicing and reaching for bigger things. I think without that person I would not be able to be here, on the beginning on my freelance career, launching a business and getting my message out to the world. The message that kept me going and always kept me craving for more... "be your best self." 

Freelancing In 2020?

Freelancing is definitely something I was looking forward to transition towards. I've never really had the courage until recently, around mid 2019. I was always afraid that I might not be good enough, or might not be as well known. I was never awarded by any institution, never won any price for a design project and I've seen that the market is full of very talented and creative people and they should get recognition for the work they do. In some occasion I was thinking that why do I want to even think about this when the market is saturated, there are design studios everywhere or even freelance work sites where you can get work done for a very cheap price. Why would I start this crazy business idea? Why would I start freelancing in 2020?

I think the mean reason behind every decision comes from within. Starting your own gig should not be something that you have to prove to others, it's something that you've should do for yourself, for your own personal growth. When I've started my Star Trek YouTube channel Trekkerprise, I've had no desire to do it because of fame. I just wanted to make videos and having fun. Creating a channel and connecting with people through that fantastic TV series was a great way to prove to myself, that "hey, I can do this." I am still working on video ideas and even though I've learned a lot over the last three to four years, I must say that the basic promise and the biggest reason I'm still doing this is because I have fun with it. Freelancing is almost the same thing for me. I want to put myself out there, I want to be visible and even if I will not get any interaction I know that deep down I will be satisfied with this because I did it. I tried getting my voice out there, being hones about it and just having fun along the way, where ever it will guide me and for how long.

Rocktiger Design is a promise for myself, for my wife and for that 17 years old person who did not give up and pushed himself to become the founder of this business and bravely embark on the journey of a freelance designer. And his biggest journey is just beginning...