What does a typical Thursday look like for you, starting from when you wake up – to heading to bed? 

Most days I get up at 7am in my live-in studio and feed the cats.  I make coffee in my Bodom, and catch up on my emails.  If I don’t have a heavy deadline, I’ll work on drawings and blog posts for finalfashion.ca and ragsandmags.com. 

If I do have a deadline, I’ll start work as soon as possible.  My most productive hours are earlier in the day – if I get started early I’m usually pretty happy with how much I get done.  I listen to CBC Radio One so I don’t feel too lonely – or sometimes I’ll watch a little internet television while I work. 

A lot of my projects are technical flats for designers – these are diagram type drawings of garments off the figure which show proportions and details correctly.  Designers use these to communicate to their production people, or to put on their line sheets which are like wholesale catalogues.  The rest of my work is drawing fashion figures or more creative illustrations – for websites, editorials, posters, or whatever.  The real challenge in my job is being able to translate the client’s idea into an image that communicates the original idea in a persuasive way. 

By early afternoon I’m hungry and I make myself a little lunch (usually last night’s leftovers).  It is pretty unusual to have a reason to leave the studio and I’m almost always by myself.  In the early afternoon I’ll often come up with some kind of errand so I can get out into the world – pick up some food, go to the bank and the post office, or shop for art supplies or something.  Or I’ll just call my Mom for a little company. 

When I get back in the studio its back to work though its more challenging to keep the momentum up in the late afternoon unless I’m really strapped to a deadline.  Afternoon pastimes: clean things up (I like to keep the studio neat), or my hobby, cooking and baking.  Otherwise – its a good time to get back to emails, do paperwork, or update my portfolio (daniellemeder.com). 

If I’m lucky, in the evening I will have an event to go to.  I’ll make dinner with my roommate, get dressed up and prettified (as best I can – I’m pretty low-maitenance for a fashion girl) and check out a store launch, a press briefing, a fashion show, a party, whatever is on.  I’ll always see friends at these events, and I’ll take notes and sometimes sketches to make posts out of later for the blogs. 

Then back to the studio to sleep, and start all over again.  I pretty much have no work/life separation at all. 

What was your first job out of school?

Production intern for a clothing line.  Not a good fit for me – I learned a lot about what I didn’t want to do. 

What are the 3 skills you require most to do your job well?

Sociability.  If you’re going to be in any business, its a people business.  Its so important to be genuinely interested in other people no matter who they are – be kind, be curious, be confident.

Integrity.  Meet your deadlines.  Communicate well – be up front with your clients, and everybody.  Be honest.

Faith.  Believe that what you are doing has value.  Trust your own abilities.  Be persistent. 

Notice how I didn’t say talent?  Its important to know your craft well, but not the most important thing. Technical skill might get you a job, but it won’t build a business. 

What do you love most about your career?

The process of building a reputation, getting higher profile projects, and being able to feel progress drives me.  I love that I can be myself, that this type of career seems to come naturally to me, and that every project is a step towards becoming the person I want to be.  

If a woman wanted to get into this business, what are your recommendations of how they should start?

If you were one of those kids who drew all the time, this may be the right business for you.  Don’t assume that raw talent and innate desire are enough – you need a bit of entrepreneurial spirit to be able to create a living from it.  Figure out what your strengths are and play to them – know your niche.  Having a quality web presence opens many doors.  Make sure you have a great website.  Always have business cards and make sure they are beautiful.  Do not be shy – seek out the people you need to know.  Get yourself out there.  Take risks.  Ask lots of questions.  Always be learning. 

Do you have any warnings?

Being a freelance creative type is sometimes very lonely.  Even if you build a strong network, you will find yourself in situations where you won’t be able to find anyone with a similar experience to bounce ideas off of.  You will make excruciating mistakes and learn things the hard way.  Its not stable – things will swing wildly from devastating failure to incredible success, sometimes in the same day.  Build emotional and financial buffers to keep yourself sane. 

If you could try a different career on for a year, what would it be?

I think it would be pleasant to work in a greenhouse, get a steady paycheck, do physical tasks, and be around growing things all day.  But not for a whole year. 

Read Danielle’s Blog at http://finalfashion.ca/