Choosing Independence

After working in the footwear industry for some time, I decided to take a different path and become a freelance designer.

To be honest, it was a little scary.
I told myself that if things didn’t work out, I could always go back to my family home — keeping a small sense of security in the back of my mind.

But freelance work turned out to be very different from what I had imagined.

I had to find my own projects, and often manage multiple contracts at the same time.
Once things started moving, it became difficult to step away, and the pressure slowly grew — in some ways, heavier than when I was working at a company.

Although my income increased compared to my time as an employee, contracts could also end just as easily.

There were times when things felt unstable, and I wasn’t sure how long it would last.

Over time, through a mix of trial and error, I gradually found a rhythm and ended up working mainly with two design studios that provided more consistent projects.

During this period, I took on a wide range of design work — sometimes by choice, and sometimes simply because the opportunity was there.

Before becoming a shoe designer, I had worked in casual wear design, and alongside that, I also worked on graphic design, textile prints, skincare packaging, and product design.

Looking back, I realize that I said yes to almost everything.
Whether it came through connections or someone asking, “Would you like to try this?” — I rarely said no.

At the time, I wasn’t thinking too far ahead.
I was simply trying to keep going.