Agency Bytes Ep 065 – James Martin, Made by James – Designers Helping Designers
In Episode 065, I have the exciting opportunity to speak with James Martin, also known as Made By James, a talented UK-based designer renowned for his dedication to design education and his candid presence on social media. I invited James because I deeply admire how he’s grown his following and how he communicates with his audience.
James shares his journey from a solopreneur to becoming a design partner at Lincoln Design, highlighting the evolution of his career and the importance of giving back to the design community. He openly discusses the range of emotions he experiences during the design process, including imposter syndrome, and provides valuable Adobe tips and tricks.
In our conversation, James talks about understanding your worth and pricing your services appropriately. He emphasizes the fear of saying no and its impact on self-worth, sharing his 13% rule for pricing to help increase confidence in charging higher rates. James also underscores the importance of setting the right prices and not undervaluing oneself.
Finally, James reflects on the significance of letting go to grow and the importance of celebrating achievements along the way. This episode is packed with insights for designers at any stage of their careers, offering practical advice and inspiration for building a successful and fulfilling design practice.
Key Takeaways
• Building a community and giving back through design education can lead to personal and professional growth.
• Consistency and authenticity in sharing your work and knowledge on social media can help establish your personal brand.
• Transitioning from a solopreneur to working with an agency can provide new opportunities and a larger team to collaborate with.
• Understanding your worth as a designer and pricing your services accordingly is crucial for sustainable business growth.
• Saying no to clients who don't align with your value and pricing can lead to better opportunities and a stronger business. Don't let fear and self-doubt dictate your pricing. Set the right prices based on your value and expertise.
• Use the 13% rule to increase your prices incrementally and build confidence in charging higher rates.
• Focus on proving your value to clients through case studies and demonstrating the impact of your work.
• Let go of certain tasks and responsibilities to allow for growth and scalability in your business.
• Take the time to celebrate your achievements and enjoy the journey rather than constantly chasing the next goal.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background
02:06 Starting to Share Work on Social Media
05:00 Evolution as a Designer
06:45 Transition to Working with Lincoln Design
09:11 Giving Back and Building a Community
12:09 Transition from Solopreneur to Agency Partner
19:15 False Sense of Security on Social Media
21:22 Knowing Your Worth and Evolving as a Designer
23:15 Saying No to Clients to Say Yes to Yourself
23:47 The Fear of Saying No and Self-Worth
25:06 Setting the Right Prices
26:28 Proving Your Value to Clients
27:27 The 13% Rule for Pricing
29:22 The Evolution of the Partnership with Lincoln
30:28 Focusing on Helping Designers
33:29 Letting Go to Grow
James Martin, better known as Made By James, is transforming the design education landscape with his rebellious creativity and relentless determination. He has dedicated 20 years of his life to achieving creative excellence, being sought after by clients for the impact his work has on businesses and the meticulously crafted experiences he delivers.
He now has one purpose: to build the best designers on the planet.
Through his real-world experience, he understands that to land your 'dream client,' you first need to become a 'dream designer.' The status quo within the design education space is focused solely on external outcomes when the real focus should be on internal transformation. He knows if he can help designers become comfortable with the unpredictability of the real creative world, then the predictable stuff becomes even easier to manage.
His full focus is as an educator to brand designers, but he is also a best-selling author, public speaker, and creative partner at Lincoln Design Co., where the team works daily with the likes of Disney, Liquid Death, and Nike. He is dedicated to guiding the next generation of designers with action, honesty, and love, creating a future where designers and clients thrive together.