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Arun Bhattacharya (a Kolkata based Indian web designer) has earnt an amazing $10,000 his first 4 weeks on DesignCrowd in what can only be described as a design contest rampage. Arun who operates James Brown Design Studio and who joined DesignCrowd in January of this year (2011) earnt $10k in his first 4 weeks, has established himself (in 2 months) as our #1 Web Designer and our #1 Indian Designer. In this case study blog we interview Arun to find out how he did it. |
Gender: Male
Location: Kolkata, India
Earnings: $10k in 1 month
Best purchase with earnings: Digital SLR Camera
Design Portfolio Samples:
Tell us about yourself in 50 words or less - where do you live, what sort of designer are you?
I am from Kolkata, a city on the eastern part of India. I always had a passion in designing starting from simple leaflet design to brochure and logo designs. I finally found my interest in website design. This is my career at the moment [but] I intend to grow further.
How can others make $10,000 in 1 month? What advice would you give other designers?
Think innovative, think lateral. Keep the ideas fresh by having more than one brainstorming session over the course of the design process, rather than one long one at the beginning.
James' $10,000 in earnings came exclusively from web design jobs and web design contests.
What is your top tip to aspiring designers?
Keep an eye on the best design websites and magazines. Designers work in an evolving industry and you have to be up to date with contemporary trends in the market.
Logo designers, you might also like to see Elisha Leo's 7 logo contest tips (for designers).
How did you develop your skills and get to where you are?
After college, I had taken an initial training in design and multimedia course. Which helped me to learn to use design tools such as Photoshop, Illustrator and others. A friend of mine wanted a simple leaflet designed [which I did and which] turned out to be quite good. I believe that I always had a good eye for color and that helped me to come up with professional looking designs as I could criticize my own designs.
How did you learn about design, what training did you get?
I had taken a short course on design and multimedia and that is how I learnt using the tools. I believe to be a designer its more important to have an eye for good things and to understand "good" and "bad" in terms of a design. It helps one to realize [what clients want to buy and what they do not].
What is your preferred design software?
My preferred design tool is Adobe Photoshop.
What is your design process?
To come up with a design, I do sketch a rough but at the same time its not a standard procedure for me. Sometimes, I can visualize the layout very well and can directly hit computer first.
Where do you think creativity comes from?
Creativity is always unlimited. Creativity cannot be planned and cannot be strategized. It comes from within and it is the thought process that helps one to be creative.
What web development or coding languages (if any) do you know?
I work a lot on PHP/MySQL, .net/MSSQL, AJAX, Jscript, HTML/CSS
What is the best thing about being a designer?
The best thing about being a designer is to be able to produce what is in my mind.
Describe a typical day in your life as a designer.
Nowadays I take work very seriously. Hence a typical day in my life would be to wake up late in the noon, work till next day morning and sleep off. Not much gets in the way of my work like before. So I don't think I can contribute something interesting from my life.
What websites or other designers inspire you?
www.Cssmania.com, www.thebestdesigns.com
What are the benefits of being a freelance designer?
Being a freelance designer, helps me to work independently and for myself. I get to think a lot and also believe that gives me the space to be more creative.
If you could be any logo design in the world which one would you be?
ICC Cricket World Cup 2011
If you could design for anyone in the world who would it be and why?
It would be for Arcelor Mittal. I believe that for a company of their stature, the design could be much better and more elaborate.
If you weren't a designer what would you be?
Landscape Photographer - Ideally for National Geography
Why do you use DesignCrowd and how has DesignCrowd helped you?
DesignCrowd has given a great opportunity to designers like me to come up with their best designs and compete fairly. The other best thing about DesignCrowd is that it does not limit designers from interacting with clients through phone, instant messenger or any other medium unlike other bidding sites.
Have you found that using DesignCrowd gives you access to more clients?
Absolutely, and in a very unique manner.
Do you enjoy designing now as much as you did when you first started?
Yes, I get to learn new things every day. I am also inspired seeing other good designers and try to take pointers from the same.
Written by DesignCrowd on Wednesday, April 13, 2011
DesignCrowd is an online marketplace providing logo, website, print and graphic design services by providing access to freelance graphic designers and design studios around the world.
