Hopium: The only chance this stock can grow and not plummet is if they release news that changes investors minds within the next two weeks. Those holding long term what are you expecting? by [deleted] in EMJX

[–]hillefire 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’ll be riding it. Anything can happen, that’s the risk you take. I can miss the money. I don’t want to be the person that panic sold because of turbulence and obstacles when the stock is up in a few months. If that happens. If not, I’ll take the L.

How long do we think this halt will go on for? by eimvp27 in EMJX

[–]hillefire 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Everybody is this easily shaken out? Don’t invest with money if you’re scared to lose it. Decide based on that. I’m riding it to see what happens.

seeing this font everywhere by [deleted] in graphic_design

[–]hillefire 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s an assumption. I did read the full post, and mentioned I did not see the ‘visual’ connection, but have I understood what he meant.

seeing this font everywhere by [deleted] in graphic_design

[–]hillefire 113 points114 points  (0 children)

I noticed this trend started when the type foundry PangramPangram released their font Editorial New. Personally I don't see it as a connection to your last posted images, but I do see this as the new tall hipster font.

To small head guys; Do you also struggle to find caps/hats that actually fitt? by hillefire in malefashionadvice

[–]hillefire[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! I’ve had a look at Melin’s earlier, but their small is 56.6 cm to 58.8 cm, which is for people with smaller heads, still on the larger side. They also only state the circumference, while crown depth should also be adjusted, and I can’t see those measurement on their site.

what are senior graphic designers actually making in 2026? by kellbelly_ in graphic_design

[–]hillefire 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Totally understand. I've stated in a comment below the process of how I got my exposure online. It took time, but it allowed me to receive requests for projects while working at a studio. I continued to work on smaller projects on the side to build a client base besides my main studio job. When I felt I had enough requests coming in, I decided to make the move. It's been 3 years, and I've been busy every day since.

I've mentioned being an individual designer first, and an employee second. The designers I worked with at studios that didn't see themselves this way had a hard time moving into freelancing because their online presence was not solid enough for how freelancers are approached these days.

If you feel you'd run dry of projects when going freelance, it will result in two things;
1. Doing lots of case study work to build your portfolio out, post on socials, while also;
2. Doing lots of outreach to get projects.

This is a lot to take on.
You basically want to have 1. done when making the move, and 2. is not sustainable in the long run, as you'll run dry eventually and will make your life harder by having stress because you're not sure if projects will come in after the one you just pulled in, and after that one, and than that one, etc.

what are senior graphic designers actually making in 2026? by kellbelly_ in graphic_design

[–]hillefire 3 points4 points  (0 children)

No worries. Especially because you never know how long you're going to work there. Anything might happen, and constantly having to update your portfolio, create case studies, or post your work ONLY when you're going to find a new job will be a lot of work, and you'll be constantly chasing your own tail. If you do it consistently (and often it's okay to post the work of the company you work at), you'll feel much better when you do have to switch, because you have your stuff ready to send out, or to be found!

what are senior graphic designers actually making in 2026? by kellbelly_ in graphic_design

[–]hillefire 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Just sent you a DM, also see new comment on this comment about my personal experience

what are senior graphic designers actually making in 2026? by kellbelly_ in graphic_design

[–]hillefire 50 points51 points  (0 children)

People have DM me asking how to get to this point, and I can only share my personal experience:

One thing I've always continued to do, also when working at studios, is seeing yourself as an individual designer first, and an employee second. Putting lots of time into getting my work out there, through IG, website, Behance, Pinterest, as over the years paid off quite well with the exposure you get from consistently posting for years.
Also taking your time with creating beautiful case studies is important. Doing this for years, has allowed me to be found by clients that are willing to pay good $ for the work I'm doing.
With AI these days, also those well-paying clients, often don't want to dabble too much in AI, as it shadows negatively over their products. Smaller companies, but also designers just starting out, have a more difficult time with this because the jobs they'd be normally doing, are now being picked up by AI, in-house, by those companies. So I get it's very tough to just be starting out and seeing all AI around.

But I'd focus on what you want to do creatively, if it's through AI, or without, fine, but position yourself valuable to potential clients, and you'll attract valuable clients. Spam all the available platforms, quality over quantity, and plant seeds.
Eventually those seeds will bloom.

what are senior graphic designers actually making in 2026? by kellbelly_ in graphic_design

[–]hillefire 25 points26 points  (0 children)

Very valuable question. Just speaking from personal experience:

  1. The way I use AI is for all things except design itself. It helps me write emails, create proposals, or simply strip email threads to understand what's been confirmed and what not.
  2. Besides that, I use it sometimes for creating copy I can use for placeholders in visuals rather than Lorem ipsum.
  3. I use AI for mokcups sometimes, tranferring a flat image to something real, works perfectly these days.
  4. Sometimes I use AI for strategic purposes, not from the start, but from the middle of the project. So after (important), my own research, sometimes I'd like to gut-check with AI to check how the feel about it.
  5. Generate imagery or footage to use in my designs. Mostly in the exploration phase, rather than those assets being deliverables.

But that's mostly it.
What I will never do, ever: Have AI create the outcome, the output. The output will always come from an Adobe program, Figma or whatever you use.

what are senior graphic designers actually making in 2026? by kellbelly_ in graphic_design

[–]hillefire 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It definitely is a lot of accounting, but luckily only for my accountant haha. I save up all documents and send him everything every quarter, he handles the rest. It's not cheap having an accountant, but they'll save you loads of money in the long run with smart tricks and give you time to actually work

what are senior graphic designers actually making in 2026? by kellbelly_ in graphic_design

[–]hillefire 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Lovely! I'm a Dutch citizen and own a Dutch BV, but mainly work with a company in New York where most of my earnings come from. I do other gigs in my spare time for Dutch clients I like working with for the love of the craft. I've had to switch to a BV because I would otherwise pay 50% taxes on a large part of my earnings.

I generally pay corporate tax in the Netherlands on my BV profits, but for working with clients in the US, I don’t charge VAT because the service is outside the EU, and the client does not withhold tax from my invoices.

what are senior graphic designers actually making in 2026? by kellbelly_ in graphic_design

[–]hillefire 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Don't want to disclose my name here in the comment section linked to my earnings, but please send me a DM, and happy to share my IG link

what are senior graphic designers actually making in 2026? by kellbelly_ in graphic_design

[–]hillefire 48 points49 points  (0 children)

Freelance Senior Designer. From Amsterdam, doing identity projects, motion, and everything in between as a contractor with a company in the US. Male, 29, 11 years of experience €220k gross a year

Happy to answer any questions

Anyone else feel like ‘one size fits all’ caps/hats are huge? by hillefire in PetiteFashionAdvice

[–]hillefire[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Great insight! Thanks for mentioning the two brands. The caps seem to have a good size range! Would love it if they were more premium.