Your Guide to Creative China
Freelancer: Joe Schaefer
Published November 9, 2009
Contact the Author
"Freelancer" casts the spotlight on individuals working as freelance artists and designers in Shanghai. CreativeHunt talks to them about the creative and commercial climate for their work in the city, the challenges they face in their field, and upcoming projects.
So let’s the lay the foundations here: why did you move to China after studying in Japan?
I didn’t exactly move straight from Japan to China. After my year studying abroad in Sapporo, I had to return to Ohio State to finish the last year of my undergrad degree. The original plan was to graduate and then get back to Japan with one of the various teaching programs like JET in order to see my Japanese girlfriend who still lived in Hokkaido. Then one day she called me up and said, “Hey, instead of you coming back to Japan, let’s move to China.” I said “ok” and a few days after I graduated I was on my way to a mysterious place called Tianjin.
What exactly were you doing with all those spreadsheets at the IT company in Shanghai? Sales?
My first real deal job out of college was as a sales rep in this Japanese company here in Shanghai. At some point I had got it in my head that I wanted nothing more than to be a ‘sarariiman’ (salary man), clad in a suit and tie, shootin’ the shit with my Japanese co-workers over some frosty brews after work. This seemed like the natural progression in my tireless quest to learn and live all things Japan.
Ballsy move, quitting. What made you decide to ditch the regular paycheque in favor of the freelance lifestyle?
Well, I got my wish. I was an honest to god salary man. I was all suited up with the briefcase, meeting clients, joking with my boss, getting wasted and clowning with my colleagues, but it wasn’t nearly as glamorous as I had imagined. In fact I had experienced the first major disappointment in my love affair with the land of the rising sun, the hobgoblin of Japanese society, their business culture. First of all the gruelling overtime is WACK, and the borderline masochistic devotion everyone seemed to have for the job does not jibe well with me. Surprise meetings at 7:30 Friday evening? Joey don’t play that… Don’t get me wrong, it was an amazing experience, but all traces of novelty had worn off by the 2.5 year mark, not to mention by that time I would rather jam a hot poker in my eye socket than fill out a spread sheet. I had friends who were writing, starting their own businesses, creating their own fashion labels; it seems like as an expat you can do just about anything here in Shanghai, which has always been one of my favorite aspects of this city. I figured I would try something different, something wild and crazy and new.
How many months have you been independent? Why not join an agency?
I am fast approaching my 1 year anniversary of being independent. I haven’t had much of an interest in joining anything full-time because it is important for me to have free time for my personal projects. It is just too hard to gather up the energy for anything significant when you are working full-time. Freelancing lets me take on occasional work while leaving ample time for my own stuff.
What kind of work would you say you specialize in?
I initially set out to do cartoon illustration, which has always been what I would call my specialty, but since becoming freelance, I have forayed into voice acting, as well as writing. I’m up for anything.
What kind of jobs/clients have you had so far?
I did a few projects for Greenovate here in Shanghai, making materials they used in classrooms for their GECKO program. The founder, Mihela, is so damn cool. She has really gone above and beyond to help me and give me advice (and a scanner!!!). I did the illustrations for an eye care book made by Orbis, also for Chinese kids. I like drawing stuff for younger peeps because I can make it fun and cartoony but also add a touch of weird, a hint of darkness just like the cartoons I loved as a kid like ‘Ren and Stimpy’. I also have done various projects for friends and family.
How do you promote yourself?
I don’t go out of my way to market myself. Almost all my projects have come from people I happen to meet, or from friends who know people. After having lived here for 4 years I suppose I have built up a decent network.
What’s the hardest part of being a freelancer in Shanghai right now?
Because of the current state of the global economy companies are less likely to have the budget to pay for projects that they would normally pay for. I have come across a few projects where I am told, “I would love to pay you for this, but we just don’t have the money right now.” Other than that it’s pretty rad.
Where do you do your work? Describe the setting…
I like working at my desk at home. I can listen to music, pace around my living room, do jump kicks, whatever. It’s where I have all my pens, art pads, reference books, and my light table as well so it’s where the bulk of the work gets done. Sometimes it’s nice to go to a coffee shop or somewhere where there are less distractions to do brainstorming or sketching, but my apartment is my ‘Happy place’, minus the tricycle riding midget.
Any advice for illustrators considering making the jump to the freelance lifestyle?
Shanghai is a great place to start. Lot’s of work for everyone and creativity is in high demand. It helps to have some steady part time work on the side. I do a bit of tutoring too...
Hit up Joe at stevedave4@hotmail.com for more samples.
Joe Schaefer has been living the life of a freelance cartoon-style illustrator (and sometimes voice actor) for just over a year now. He's just getting his first jobs as an illustrator in Shanghai and his quirky drawings have been used in GECKO’s teaching materials and an Orbis children’s book. He hopes to one day produce a full comic book. Something zombie-based, most likely.
So let’s the lay the foundations here: why did you move to China after studying in Japan?
I didn’t exactly move straight from Japan to China. After my year studying abroad in Sapporo, I had to return to Ohio State to finish the last year of my undergrad degree. The original plan was to graduate and then get back to Japan with one of the various teaching programs like JET in order to see my Japanese girlfriend who still lived in Hokkaido. Then one day she called me up and said, “Hey, instead of you coming back to Japan, let’s move to China.” I said “ok” and a few days after I graduated I was on my way to a mysterious place called Tianjin.
What exactly were you doing with all those spreadsheets at the IT company in Shanghai? Sales?
My first real deal job out of college was as a sales rep in this Japanese company here in Shanghai. At some point I had got it in my head that I wanted nothing more than to be a ‘sarariiman’ (salary man), clad in a suit and tie, shootin’ the shit with my Japanese co-workers over some frosty brews after work. This seemed like the natural progression in my tireless quest to learn and live all things Japan.
Ballsy move, quitting. What made you decide to ditch the regular paycheque in favor of the freelance lifestyle?
Well, I got my wish. I was an honest to god salary man. I was all suited up with the briefcase, meeting clients, joking with my boss, getting wasted and clowning with my colleagues, but it wasn’t nearly as glamorous as I had imagined. In fact I had experienced the first major disappointment in my love affair with the land of the rising sun, the hobgoblin of Japanese society, their business culture. First of all the gruelling overtime is WACK, and the borderline masochistic devotion everyone seemed to have for the job does not jibe well with me. Surprise meetings at 7:30 Friday evening? Joey don’t play that… Don’t get me wrong, it was an amazing experience, but all traces of novelty had worn off by the 2.5 year mark, not to mention by that time I would rather jam a hot poker in my eye socket than fill out a spread sheet. I had friends who were writing, starting their own businesses, creating their own fashion labels; it seems like as an expat you can do just about anything here in Shanghai, which has always been one of my favorite aspects of this city. I figured I would try something different, something wild and crazy and new.
How many months have you been independent? Why not join an agency?
I am fast approaching my 1 year anniversary of being independent. I haven’t had much of an interest in joining anything full-time because it is important for me to have free time for my personal projects. It is just too hard to gather up the energy for anything significant when you are working full-time. Freelancing lets me take on occasional work while leaving ample time for my own stuff.
What kind of work would you say you specialize in?
I initially set out to do cartoon illustration, which has always been what I would call my specialty, but since becoming freelance, I have forayed into voice acting, as well as writing. I’m up for anything.
What kind of jobs/clients have you had so far?
I did a few projects for Greenovate here in Shanghai, making materials they used in classrooms for their GECKO program. The founder, Mihela, is so damn cool. She has really gone above and beyond to help me and give me advice (and a scanner!!!). I did the illustrations for an eye care book made by Orbis, also for Chinese kids. I like drawing stuff for younger peeps because I can make it fun and cartoony but also add a touch of weird, a hint of darkness just like the cartoons I loved as a kid like ‘Ren and Stimpy’. I also have done various projects for friends and family.
How do you promote yourself?
I don’t go out of my way to market myself. Almost all my projects have come from people I happen to meet, or from friends who know people. After having lived here for 4 years I suppose I have built up a decent network.
What’s the hardest part of being a freelancer in Shanghai right now?
Because of the current state of the global economy companies are less likely to have the budget to pay for projects that they would normally pay for. I have come across a few projects where I am told, “I would love to pay you for this, but we just don’t have the money right now.” Other than that it’s pretty rad.
Where do you do your work? Describe the setting…
I like working at my desk at home. I can listen to music, pace around my living room, do jump kicks, whatever. It’s where I have all my pens, art pads, reference books, and my light table as well so it’s where the bulk of the work gets done. Sometimes it’s nice to go to a coffee shop or somewhere where there are less distractions to do brainstorming or sketching, but my apartment is my ‘Happy place’, minus the tricycle riding midget.
Any advice for illustrators considering making the jump to the freelance lifestyle?
Shanghai is a great place to start. Lot’s of work for everyone and creativity is in high demand. It helps to have some steady part time work on the side. I do a bit of tutoring too...
Hit up Joe at stevedave4@hotmail.com for more samples.
