What is Freelancing? Join an evening of insight from those in the know

Are you thinking of going freelance? Or curious to understand what it’s really like behind the scenes? Maybe you’ve just taken the leap and want some advice for the journey ahead. However freelancing fits into your plans right now, our next What is...? event is here to help. We’ll be joined by a stellar line-up of creative freelancers who’ll share the realities of working independently – from building a client base and managing finances, to staying motivated and making the most of the freedom freelancing can offer.

Join us online on Thursday 16 October, from 5pm to 7.30pm BST as our panel share practical tips, honest insights and first-hand experiences to help you understand what freelancing is really all about. They’ll discuss:

After the discussion, you’ll have the chance to ask your own questions in a live Q&A. Create an account and register now to secure your spot!

Who will be there?

This event will be hosted by the brilliant Zoe Thompson, a freelance zine artist, workshop facilitator and content creator. Zoe will be joined by a stellar line-up of freelance industry professionals. Check out the full line-up below:

Zoë Thompson
Zoë is a freelance zine-maker and facilitator based in London who champions the power of zine culture as a radical and playful tool of expression. She is also the founder of sweet-thang zine, a community and indie press that publishes work by Black creatives worldwide, and has worked with organisations such as the Southbank Centre, Wellcome Collection, National Gallery, Design Museum, Tate Modern and King’s College University.

Arlo West
Arlo (they/them) is a freelance graphic designer and the founder of Studio Arlo and Not Your Business. They create sh*t hot branding and websites for queer, trans and neurodivergent folks who deserve to feel fully seen, celebrated, and never talked down to. They’re a D&AD New Blood Winner (Creative Crisis, 2018) and were just named Creative StartUp of the Year (North West) at the StartUp Awards.

Francis Augusto
Born in Angola, Francis is a London-based artist working across photography and film recently incorporating oral histories. His work examines identity, the everyday and belonging through documentary practice informed by his sociology background. Recent work includes commissions by the Bodleian Libraries and British Journal of Photography, plus an Arts Council England-funded project Songs of Love & Loss (2023).

Morgan Hastie
Morgan is a young, multi‑award‑winning graphic designer from Glasgow, Scotland. Alongside studying for her design degree, she works as a freelance designer specialising in visual identity and packaging. Her work is influenced by her travels, cultural exploration and a passion for storytelling.

Yo Hosoyamada
Yo is a Japanese illustrator currently working and living in London. After studying and working in the Architecture industry, she pivoted into Illustration, studying at Camberwell College of Art. Since then, she has worked as an illustrator for clients such as YouTube, WIRED, Toyota, The Telegraph, The Times and Monocle Magazine. She is currently represented by Handsome Frank in the UK and Vision Track in Japan.

What is “What is...?”

Starting out in the creative industry can feel overwhelming – there are so many different roles out there, and it’s not always clear where you might fit in. That’s where our What is...? series comes in.

These events shine a light on different creative careers, offering direct insights from professionals who share their experiences and advice.

How to register

Our What is...? events are for anyone at the start of their creative journey – whether you’re still studying, a recent graduate, self-taught or switching careers.

This event is open to:

This event is free to attend, and there are unlimited spaces. However, you’ll need to create a free account to register, so be sure to sign up now!