What is your name?
Charles Andrew Christie
What is your occupation?
Mobile UI / UX Designer
Where do you live and work?
Shelf, Halifax
Can you tell us about yourself?
I am a forty six year old with a mental age of twenty one – have a lovely wife and two wonderful kids, and live in a dream home in Yorkshire. My main passions (apart from my family) are Snowboarding, Music, Golf, Architecture (especially Pre-Fabs), Cooking, Wines and single barrel Kentucky Bourbons. I love anything creative, particularly compelling User Experiences and find inspiration anywhere from kitchen appliances to vehicle dashboards, airport terminals to games consoles.
How did you get into freelancing?
I got into freelancing as a cure for the anxiety I felt commuting to my office and managing people (neither of which I enjoyed). As a freelancer I am responsible for myself alone. Since my clients have no interest in meeting me, commuting to and from an office is no longer required.
Why do you love freelancing?
It offers me creative and work / life balance flexibility (although there’s more work than life balance). And I don’t have to drive anywhere!
What is your proudest career moment?
Being chosen by Adobe to Beta Test their software in the 1990’s, in recognition of my early skills using their software.
Who if anyone has influenced your work?
My greatest influence is the World around me and the everyday objects that reside in it.
If you could give someone just starting out one piece of advice, what would it be?
Always produce the best quality work that you can - if a budget is small, don’t work to the budget, work to the best quality. Trust me, you will be rewarded in the long run.
What is the hardest thing about freelancing today?
Competing against freelancer websites selling freelance at ridiculously low rates!
What do you think the future holds for freelancers?
Given the state of the economy, the drive for freelance skills will increase dramatically, as companies look to reduce internal overheads by outsourcing – that’s the positive! The negative is rates will reduce, as more people vie for the available work.
Tell us something about yourself that people wouldn’t expect?
Having built my own home (to strict Planning Guidelines), I’d love to build an ultra-contemporary eco home – preferably on a Scottish Loch : )
If you would like to learn more about Charles' work, you can contact him via Behance:
Profile- http://www.behance.net/charles_christie
Contact- http://www.behance.net/charles_christie/frame/about