Matt Massara

Matt Massara is a freelance designer based out of Charleston, SC.

Do you consider yourself a freelancer or a founder?

Freelancer.

What do you tell your parents that you do? 😂

My mom asks me this at least once a month! I still don't know how to answer it. I do everything from branding and naming to screen printing and selling T-shirts.

How did you first get into graphic design and how has your skillset and interests evolved since then?

I first got interested in design when I was little through skateboarding. I would always pick outboards by Jay Howell and get these zines from the skate shop for punk house shows that inspired me. Then, I wound up going to art school, and here I am now.

What inspired you to make the leap from full-time to freelance?

My partner got her dream job Fuzzco in Charleston, S.C. So we both quit our jobs as in-house designers to move here and that’s when I really started freelancing.

What has surprised you most about being your own boss?

The waves of work — I find myself either feeling like I’m not working enough or I’m working from 8 AM until 1 AM. I’m still working on the whole time-management thing.

How do you manage the business side of freelancing?

At first, the hardest thing for me was pricing myself. Other than that, I love communicating with clients and keeping good relationships with them.

Outside of design, you also have a few passion projects. Can you tell us more about those?

We started a market here in Charleston called Hangover Market. It’s an artist market that takes place four times a year at the Counter Culture Coffee Training Center.

Do you have any creative recommendations?

I’m not a real big TV or movie person, but I’ve recently been into the book “Against Everything: Essays” by Mark Greif.

Where do you look to for inspiration?

I get a lot of inspiration from my friends, music, and nature. I love being outdoors biking around and camping. Especially here in town, there is a lot of old sign painting that is inspiring.

What's one piece of advice you'd give to aspiring creatives looking to go full-time freelance?

To dive right in! It’s scary at first but it all works itself out in time.