12 Things They Don't Teach In Design School

12 Things They Don't Teach In Design School

Author: Alvalyn Lundgren March 12, 2025 Duration: 23:01

You can't run your freelance business on creative talent or skills. You have to develop business skills, which aren't taught in design school. The focus of degree and certificate programs is on creative expertise and portfolio development for the purposes of obtaining a job as a creative. Even those programs that do offer business courses only skim the surface of what's necessary, leaving the entrepreneurial creative out in the cold when it comes to building their businesses. In this episode I present 12 things they don't teach in design school but that you need to know if you want to build a business from your creative work.


Alvalyn Lundgren guides the conversation on the Freelance Road Trip Podcast, a space built for independent creatives navigating the winding path of running their own practice. This isn't about abstract theory; it's a practical companion for designers, illustrators, and photographers who feel the constant push and pull between their artistic drive and the realities of invoices, clients, and sustainability. Each episode feels like a candid conversation from the passenger seat, tackling how to protect your creative energy while building a business that doesn't burn you out. You'll hear honest discussions about pricing your worth, finding clients who respect your vision, and setting boundaries that allow both your work and your well-being to thrive. The whole point of this podcast is to merge that innate creativity with actionable strategy, moving beyond just getting by to building something genuinely fulfilling. Tune in for a blend of mindset shifts and concrete steps that help you steer your freelance journey with more confidence and clarity.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Freelance By Design
Podcast Episodes
Not Using Contracts? What Could Go Wrong? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:05
Many freelancers in all sectors work without written contracts. They rely on verbal agreements which can be vague and incomplete. Neglecting to put project parameters and expectations in writing before you begin a projec…
Freelancers and Financial Crimes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:01
A new reporting requirement affecting LLCs and s-corps — small and independent businesses legally registered with their secretary of state — is coming your way in 2024. The Corporate Transparency Act establishes a federa…
Up All Night [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:16
Stress resides between an expectation of an ideal and what actually is. When the expectation of the ideal — balance (symmetry) — collides with the messy realities of life, you can feel like you're not good enough or you'…
There Are No Guarantees [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:09
There are myriad courses, programs, and coaches available to help you learn skills to succeed in your freelance business. You have a lot of teachers, coaches, and "gurus" to choose from. Or you can choose none and learn…
How To Negotiate With Clients [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:06
As a freelancer or creativepreneur, negotiating skills are crucial and can make a significant difference in the success of your creative business. In this episode, we'll address the purpose of the negotiation process, ex…
What's the Difference Between Marketing and Branding? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:53
Marketing and branding are related concepts that are often used interchangeably, but they are distinct and have different purposes. Freelance designers create brand assets and identities for their clients, but fewer free…
How To Thrive In Your Creative Business [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:41
Establishing and managing a business so you can make a living from your creative work — your way — isn't easy and probably not what most of us expected when we started out. With all the competition out there, and now wit…
The Impact Of AI On Your Creative Business [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:32
AI is disrupting the creative industries in a variety of ways that are both beneficial and detrimental. In this episode we consider both the problems and advantages of using AI as a freelance creative, and propose answer…
How To Sell Expertise When You Don't Have Expertise [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:08
Freelancers in general prefer to work with high value clients. An effective way to attract high value clients is to sell expertise, not time. How can you sell creative services if you're just starting and have little or…
Form An LLC For The Right Reasons [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:43
If you're a freelance creative who's considering forming an LLC because it will protect you and your clients from worker misclassification under California's AB5 and possible Department of Labor rulings regarding indepen…