Challenges and key business skills for freelance designers in the creative industry

Abstract

This study investigates entrepreneurship within the Creative Industry, emphasizing the challenges and competencies of freelance designers in establishing sustainable businesses. Drawing on a literature review and a questionnaire conducted between April and May 2024, the study identifies key challenges such as pricing, client acquisition, and time management. Although participants exhibited strong communication and organizational skills, they showed deficiencies in financial management and entrepreneurial knowledge. The absence of structured planning also emerged as a critical concern. The study recommends the adoption of tools like the Business Model Canvas to enhance business structuring and suggests that future research examine freelancers’ participation in collaborative networks and the effectiveness of continuing education models.