Freelancer in the Spotlight - Meet Jason Mallett
We recently interviewed Jason Mallett, Freelance Motion Designer and Video Editor, to find out why he chose freelancing and more about being a Motion Designer and Video Editor.
What is a Motion Designer and what do you do?
Motion Design is more of a set of skills as opposed to a specific discipline. I find myself working on various things across each project; whether it’s:
- Bringing to life a piece of design I’m given by a studio.
- Designing graphics for movement.
- Text animation.
- Video editing.
- App/website simulation.
- Lots of social posts and short form advertising.
In short; if you’re seeing something move on a screen, nine times out of ten, a Motion Designer made it move.
How did you become a Motion Designer & Video Editor?
I started in the video world editing holiday videos about ten years ago, and I got really bored of the built-in/pre-built titles and what not. So I learnt to build my own. Once I started making text move, I’ve always had a love for typography, I moved on to making graphic design move... then BOOM! I’m a fully fledged freelancing motion graphics designer, winning a YunoJuno Sweet FA for something that started out as a hobby!
"Working with Jason has been a pleasure. He comes up with great ideas and has produced some amazing work, which the whole team and client has been extremely impressed with.”
Chris Robertson
How long have you been freelancing?
Five fun years now. Coming up to six.
Why did you decide to go freelance?
After leaving a full time job in 2014, I pursued writing music for TV and Film, after studying music my entire life. After about a year, it became apparent that the income wasn’t quite as stable straight away as I’d hoped - my first royalty cheque bought me a coffee and a pain au chocolate - I can’t complain too much.
I then decided to pursue earning money from my hobby of editing video and adding titles (to put it simply).
What's the best thing about choosing to be an independent professional in your field?
The freedom.
What's the hardest thing about freelancing?
The freedom.
"Jason is AWESOME, he gets the work done with great proactivity and every time he comes in it's like having part of the team with us. HIs work is thorough and really well executed”
Natalie @ C_Space
| Aspect | Employee | Independent Contractor |
|---|---|---|
| Control and supervision | Direct control over how, when, and where to work | Freedom to set their own schedules and methods |
| Payment | Regular wages; taxes withheld by employer | Paid per project; responsible for their own taxes |
| Benefits | Health insurance, retirment plans, paid leave | Must arrange their own benefits |
| Termination | Often requires notice and may include severance | Can usually be terminated at any time without benefits |
| Tools and equipment | Provided by the employer | Typically use their own tools |
What's one thing no one ever told you about freelancing you wished you'd known at the beginning?
Having to wear multiple hats, whilst I love a good five-panel cap, and taking on many different roles as one person. Being on top of finances, figuring out how much you’re “worth”, bookkeeping, working out how to submit a tax return every year, gaining the interest of new clients, keeping the interest of existing clients, emails, other admin - all whilst working on great projects being super creative and enjoying yourself.
How has YunoJuno helped you as a freelancer?
- Meeting new and an awesome community of like-minded freelancers in fields different to my own.
- Getting paid on time (sorry, but it’s true. And SO freakin’ valuable... I’ve gone 90 days without being paid from one particular client which did NOT go through YunoJuno).
- Awarding me Film & Motion Freelancer of The Year 2019, gave me a huge amount of confidence & belief in myself. I’m sometimes criticised of my modesty, and that I should be more vocal, proud & confident in the work I create and that I CAN chase the big dog clients and agencies. Winning this award has massively help bolster that foundation for me.
Can you talk about a project you're proud to have worked on?
I worked on the Kia X-CEED Digital Out of Home project as lead Motion Designer. Creating bespoke deliverables to go across London Underground Digital Ribbons (the long screens on the escalators). It was a big ol’ challenge making up to 32 screens work together seamlessly in one long asset.
A showreel of my latest and best work:
What advice would you give to someone who wanted to become a Motion Designer?
The worldwide community of motion designers is so talented, open, inviting and resourceful. Everyone I’ve met is out to pay it forward and nobody should be afraid to ask questions. Never stop making things for yourself.
If a client was reading this, why should they hire you?
Beard?
Reliable. Enthusiastic. Nice guy. Hard working with an attention to detail. Love what I do. Always learning. Enjoy a challenge. Passionate about design & typography (love a good Serif with some tight kerning). I thrive working as part of a team, but more than happy to work alone if needed :(
Love a good coffee (making & drinking) and also a bit of a nerd; PlayStation, cartoons, comic books, movies and D&D (yes, that is Dungeons & Dragons).
"Jason is among the best freelancers I've had the pleasure of working with.There are plenty of talented people out there, and Jason is certainly among them, but not so many with such great communication skills, a proactive approach, quick attention to feedback, and a genuine interest in creating the best product. My clients were thrilled with Jason's work, and so was I. I'm looking forward to working with him again in the near future.”
Geoff Fogden
Meet Jason
Jason is a freelance Motion Graphics Designer & Video Editor. Since 2014 he has had the huge fortune of working with a range of awesome clients in the advertising, television, gaming, music, marketing, education & business to business worlds. Some of which include Google, Samsung, Unilever, EA, BBC, Bloomsbury & Amstel. His skills have put him in various roles across different projects, such as Animation Director, Design Director, Lead Animator, Post Production Supervisor, Animator, Editor, & Creative.
Jason also plays in a band and writes music - Please see the live show of the artist Salt Ashes, where Jason played drums:
