Corporate Isn't So Bad: Interview with Brett Nyquist

Corporate Isn't So Bad: Interview with Brett Nyquist
Written by Samuel in Interviews

In the freelance world, it's both common and easy to deride any thought of working a corporate job. But the truth is, given the right environment, working for someone else can be very gratifying and, for some people, better than freelancing. So today's interview is with Brett Nyquist, a baseball player turned freelancer turned corporate designer (with freelancing on the side). After reading the interview, make sure you check out some of his work at BrettNyquist.com.

So when and how did you get into creating websites as a profession?

I was in and out of web design for the last 5 years. After college I went off to play professional baseball for awhile, so I was able to do some side projects during the off seasons. It wasn't until that dream ended that I started to pursue the web design path a little more.

You used to be a full-time freelancer for a while – what was the toughest aspect of freelance full-time?

Gaining more clients and having a steady flow of work was probably the toughest part. Referrals only bring in so many new projects but to continue to grow you need to be able to seek out new clients. I'm not a huge talker so that was probably the most difficult part for me.

What prompted you to leave full-time freelancing to enter the corporate world?

I went back to a company that I had worked for on and off while playing baseball. It's a great company and right next to my house -- tough to beat that. But it was also a situation where I would have a steady paycheck, benefits, and time to work on other projects on the side. So for me personally it was a no-brainer.

I understand that you still freelance several hours a night. How do you balance the time and commitment between your day job and your freelancing?

I do run into some pretty late nights, but it's well worth it. I make my availability clear to my clients, and I haven't found it that hard to get things turned around just as quickly as I did when I freelanced full-time. The steady paycheck from my full-time job it allows me to go after projects that really interest me, instead of taking on ones that would normally just be budget-fillers.

What do you do to stay sane during workdays that keep you computer-bound both at work and at home?

The only time I really see daylight is on my drive to and from work. It sure seems that way sometimes. I do try and get out of the house as much as I can, whether it's just going out for dinner or to grab some brews. But even then the entire time I'm looking at advertisements, signs, billboards, menus, etc., and wondering how I can incorporate them into my designs.

What do you like most about the corporate world?

I work at a place that started out in a closet and is now a $20 million dollar company. So I try to take and learn things from here and apply them to my own work. I look up to a lot of the people I work with and am continuously learning from them.

What do you miss most about full-time freelancing?

Probably the freedom to work on projects that I choose instead of getting projects thrown on my desk. With freelancing you're allowed a lot more creativity and can try new things (obviously depending upon the client's scope) but it's not as containing as working for a company.

I often hear students say that they want to have their own design or development business right out of university (declaring the corporate world as "stifling" and "boring"). What advice would you have for them?

For some that might work, but for me I learned so much more after being in the corporate work environment. I was able to learn things from people I work with and apply that to my freelancing. There are a lot of things that go into running your own business that a lot of us aren't even aware of, and that college doesn't prepare us for. I'm definitely not trying to discourage anyone from doing it, but if you can gain as much experience as you can in the real world, you'll have a better chance at being successful.

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Community Comments

Luke
1/7/2008 9:35:38 AM

I agree that sometimes, given the right situation, freelancing is not as good as working for corporate. The problem is that such situations exist so rarely in my opinion...

Landon
1/7/2008 2:14:15 PM

Where would be a good place to look for jobs right out of college if that is the route one was to take? Or, would it just be best to put a resume on monster or similar sites?

Brett
1/8/2008 7:23:31 AM

There are a bunch of job posting websites dedicated to design/development. Sites like Authenticjobs.com, Krop.com and also Freshwebjobs.com are all really good for finding creative jobs.

I would also recommend getting some of your sites listed into the design galleries. I have received a few job offerings just from companies that have seen my work on various galleries

Landon
1/8/2008 12:19:07 PM

I'll check those sites out. Thanks Brett.

Brett
1/8/2008 1:52:31 PM

Better yet, check this article out from Freelance Switch.

http://freelanceswitch.com/finding/the-monster-list-of-freelancing-job-sites/

Huge huge list of job posting sites.

Mill---
1/8/2008 1:58:31 PM

Thanks for the interview and the comments. I think freelancing is sometimes overly glorified ;-)

Samuel
1/8/2008 2:15:37 PM

I second Brett's three-fold list above. The monster list can be helpful too, but there's a some "chaff" mixed in with the the really good ones.

Bijan
1/8/2008 7:53:41 PM

Neat interview,
good insight and opinion.

I'm glad that you asked the question about college students and them starting design studios. Because that is what I want to do!

Cheers,
Bijan

Micheal Pons
5/7/2008 9:25:48 AM

Do not underestimate the power of paying your dues in corporate America.

There is a lot to be said for working in the corporate world vs. owning your own shop. Although the though of "doing your own thing" right out of school is very appealing to romance-prone creative mind, there is a lot to be learned for the corporate setting.

Here are some of the things you can lear while working for "the man"

• Back Stabbing.

• Taking credit for others' work and ideas.

• Navigating through BS politics.

• Gratuitous use of words like web 2.0 and R.O.I.

It seems sad, but these are all very handy skills that you will surely use when dealing with your own clients. The bigger you get, the more you will use them.

Web Design Lincolnshire
5/8/2008 3:57:59 AM

I've been in the corporate for 3 years and I hate it, although it has its benefits, if you enjoy security which we all do.

I am working on a business and going freelance. I find in the corporate world you are not valued.

I don't mind hard work at all, but I enjoy to be in control, rather have 40 hours of my week dictated.

Loser
6/20/2008 8:21:28 PM

You couldn't make it in baseball, I doubt you'll make it in the real world. I hope your poor work ethic in baseball isn't as bad as your new career. Good luck, you'll need it.

Life
10/31/2008 3:06:58 AM

Nice Interview, very informative. Thanks and greetings!

Web3
11/10/2008 10:23:03 PM

I have had a very similar experience with freelancing... found the sales aspect hard. I think once you have kept your head down long enough in corporate it will be possible to build up enough clients to go back to freelance eventually...

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