I am a big believer in the power of "side quests". Over the years, my own side projects have transformed into vital parts of my business and completely changed my career trajectory. In this episode, I am joined by Mélanie Johnsson, a creative director, illustrator, and designer who is equally obsessed with the magic of the side quest.
We dive into how these personal projects have brought her new clients, created a vibrant community, and allowed her to push her creative boundaries without the constraints of client briefs. Whether you are considering launching a magazine, a community challenge, or an exhibition, Mélanie's proactive attitude will empower you to stop waiting for opportunities and start creating them yourself.
Thanks to Ivy Malik for sponsoring this episode. If you wanna learn how to co-create a sale so it doesn't feel like selling head to lizmosley.net/ivy and watch the free training video.
Key Takeaways - Proactive Career Growth: Side quests allow you to create the exact type of work you want to be hired for, effectively controlling your own professional narrative and journey.
- Creative Freedom and Values: Personal projects provide a space to align purely with your own vision and values, which is essential for preventing creative stagnation.
- Building Community and Authority: Projects like the "Pattern Challenge" or the "Mimi" platform establish you as an expert and build lasting associations in the minds of potential clients.
- The "Art Director" Mindset: Transitioning to broader titles like Art Director or Creative Director allows you to sell your "brain" and problem-solving skills rather than just a specific technical output.
- Overcoming Loneliness: Creative communities and in-person meetups serve as a vital antidote to the isolation of freelance life, offering validation and shared support.
Episode Highlights - 01:50: Mélanie's background growing up in a creative family and her initial "rebellion" against design .
- 13:10: The creation of Spellbound magazine and the joy of self-publishing.
- 14:15: How the "Pattern Challenge" transitioned from an Instagram prompt to a charitable physical product.
- 20:45: Proving creativity: How a client relationship led to 3D rendering and product design.
- 26:15: The logistical challenges and dreams of building a physical creative studio.
- 36:10: Rebranding and the power of solving visual problems through a "Creative Director" lens.
About the Guest Mélanie Johnsson is a French Art Director, Designer, and Illustrator based in the UK. She works with brands across various industries, from skincare to editorial, and is the founder of the Mimi platform for creatives.
Mentioned in the Episode - Spellbound Magazine: Melanie's self-published creative magazine.
- #thepatternchallengebymel: A long-running creative community challenge on Instagram.
End Credits I would love to hear what you think of this episode, so please do let me know on Instagram where I'm @lizmmosley or @buildingyourbrandpodcast and I hope you enjoy the episode!
This episode was written and recorded by me and produced by Lucy Lucraft lucylucraft.co.uk
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