We recently connected with Karl Rowley and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Karl, thank you so much for agreeing to open up about a sensitive and personal topic like being fired or laid-off. Unfortunately, there has been a rise in layoffs recently and so your insight and experience with overcoming being let go is relevant to so many in the community.
I became self-employed thanks to an unexpected layoff. After an assignment in Paris, France, during the dot-com bubble, I moved back in 2001 and joined an agency as a web designer. September 11 came and the world stopped turning. Less than a year later, the agency was in trouble and any reason was good enough for layoff. That’s when my sister, who sits on the board of a non-profit, begged me to fill in for the graphic designer who let them down right before their big fund-raiser. I agreed and rushed through my breaks and lunch hours to get it done that week. But the boss thinks I’m plotting behind his back. He calls me in his office, throws me out with a bang, but I didn’t leave without a fight. I revealed with proof in hand that I’m volunteering for an organization for the handicapped. Great drama breaks out, he awkwardly apologizes, but I leave anyway, albeit with generous compensation. I found myself at home, stunned, especially for helping out with free work. A few days later, a colleague who was now afraid to do her own clients in her spare time, offered to pass them on to me. My name started doing the rounds, another agency offered me to freelance for them, the non-profit entrusted me with all their annual projects, and I got paid this time, and we even won an award with the United Nations! And the rest is history. Incredibly, I recently celebrated more than 20 years as a freelancer! I always say that if the train stops at your station, don’t blink and hop on!
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I’ve always been a graphic designer, and I’ve dabbled in just about everything, from print and web to advertising, kiosks, brochures and more. I’ve even done packaging and 3D calendars. I learned my trade at university, by hand, in the ’80s, but by pure chance, my first permanent job was on a computer. At the time, it was a huge revolution. So, over the years, I’ve acquired a multitude of creative, technical and organizational skills. However, I know I’ve always had a lucky star, so I believe it’s also essential to give back. For the past 20 years, I’ve been donating a percentage of my annual sales to a non-profit. It’s my way of saying thank you. Over the past few years, I’ve also delved into e-commerce, launching my own store of exclusive designs for home decor and accessories, inspired by mid-century modern style, through my own brand at MidCentury.Style. This adventure is multi-faceted: Dropshipping, YouTube channel, and a blog. With all the specialized work this requires in terms of product design, social media, SEO, etc., it keeps me up to date with the meteoric evolution of these platforms, and this kind of hobby is my greatest personal motivation.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
First, work hard. I was raised by my grandmother who was a teacher for nearly 30 years. She taught me to work hard until you get it right. If you know in your soul that you can do something, never quit and never take no for an answer. Second, be extremely patient. Don’t rush things. This is my all time best quality. Time may be the only thing that never comes back but it can easily be your worse enemy. Being patient helps achieve anything, tame emotions, open up creativity, and put things into context. Lastly, I’d say love what you do and who you do it with. It’s a huge classic but it does make a difference. You cannot do the same thing all your life without loving it and without admiring the people surrounding you. A President once said something like “I want to be the less intelligent person in the room”. This is so true in so many ways. Work hard, be patient, and learn from your colleagues are the keys for achieving balance in anyone’s preofessional life.
Tell us what your ideal client would be like?
My ideal client is the one that trust me and who I can trust in return. A lot of big corporations are over-organized with too many people involved with very little room for innovation or advice. The ones that I had the best relation and success with were the ones who are open and offer freedom to create, innovate, and consider original solutions. In return, they trust that I know them well enough to always propose things in line with their goals. They give you great feedback and understand the value of partnership. Some clients, after a while, trust me enough to just send a quick email with a general goal and specs, and I start from there. That’s when the magic happens and the most punchy ad, ideal logo, or unique kiosk come to life.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.krafix.design
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/krafixdesign
- Other: My online store at MidCentury.Style
