Delaney Buell Designs Blog
week 3
12/17/2025
🌟 The Highs and Lows of Freelancing: An Honest Reflection
Freelancing has been one of the most challenging and rewarding chapters of my creative journey. It’s pushed me creatively, professionally, and personally in ways I didn’t fully expect. Like most freelancers, I’ve experienced both incredible highs and very real lows—and both have shaped how I see my work, my value, and myself.
🌟 The Highs of Freelancing
Moments That Make Me Proud
One of the moments that consistently makes me proud to be freelancing is realizing how much my work experience has grown in such a short time. Freelancing has allowed me to collaborate with talented artists, designers, and organizations, helping me build both my portfolio and my confidence. Every new project feels like another step forward.
When I Realized My Work Had Real Value
Art has always been my strongest form of communication. I realized my work truly had value when clients began trusting me to help translate their goals and ideas into visuals that support their business—whether through logo design, label design, or motion design for expanded branding. Being able to visually communicate someone else’s vision is something I take great pride in.
Unexpected Freedom
One freedom I didn’t expect was how much freelancing would expand my network. Working with a wide range of clients has introduced me to new industries, perspectives, and creative opportunities. Actively attending networking events and advocating for myself has also pushed me out of my comfort zone and made me far less introverted than I used to be.
A Project That Reignited My Confidence
One project that truly reignited my creativity and confidence was my work with I Love A Clean San Diego on a water restoration campaign. I served as the lead on an instructional, educational motion design project focused on bioretention basins. The goal was to make the content engaging and accessible for both children and parents at the event booth.
Beyond the motion design, I helped create an interactive experience—handing out starter “gold medallion” tree seed links so kids could begin their own bioretention basins at home. Seeing people genuinely engage with the work reminded me of why I love what I do.
Why I Keep Going
Art has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. Whether it’s 3D animation, motion design, illustration, or experimenting with new forms of media, creativity has always been my constant. There’s an endless world of inspiration out there, and the idea of not continuing on this creative path doesn’t feel possible to me.
🌧️ The Lows of Freelancing
The Biggest Challenge
One of the hardest parts of freelancing is maintaining a steady income, especially in the beginning. It often means balancing part-time jobs while still searching for full-time opportunities within my field—a reality many freelancers know well.
Moments of Uncertainty
After graduating college and not immediately landing a job in my field, I struggled deeply with imposter syndrome. As an artist and brand designer, it was difficult not to question my abilities during that transition period.
The Impact of Slow Periods
Slow periods can be mentally challenging. Waiting for the next gig often makes me anxious and creatively scattered, even though I know these phases are part of the freelance cycle.
Boundaries I’m Still Learning
One boundary I’ve struggled to maintain is taking time off and practicing self-care. I tend to work straight through without realizing it—like a dog with a bone—until I remind myself to step away, take a walk, and clear my head.
The Doubt That Returns
The doubt I return to most often is feeling like I’m not good enough or experienced enough to apply for certain roles. Thankfully, with the support of my creative friends and my personal assistant, I’ve been able to rebuild confidence, self-worth, and trust in my abilities.
Final Thoughts
Freelancing isn’t easy, but it has taught me resilience, adaptability, and the importance of believing in my own value. The highs make the lows worth pushing through, and every challenge has helped shape me into a stronger, more confident creative. I’m still learning—but I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.
week 2
Hello Readers!
Recently, I found myself slipping into a deep creative slump, the kind that makes even the work you usually love feel distant and unreachable. I was sad, unmotivated, and trying to force inspiration that simply wasn’t coming, which only made me feel more disconnected from my own creativity. In the middle of all of that, my boyfriend Daniel suggested we go bowling, something simple and unexpected that I honestly did not think would make any difference. But saying yes and stepping away from my routine turned out to be exactly what I needed. Being in a new environment, laughing, moving around, and just enjoying his company pulled me out of my heaviness in a quiet, natural way. For the first time in days I felt present instead of pressured. By the time we were heading home I felt ideas coming back to me on their own without forcing anything, and I could feel my creative spark slowly waking up again. That night reminded me that self-care can look like giving yourself permission to leave your work, reconnect with the world around you, and let life refill you in ways you do not expect. Sometimes the most healing thing you can do is step away so you can return stronger, clearer, and genuinely inspired.
week 1
Hello Readers!
My name is Delaney Buell, and I'm incredibly excited to share a little bit about who I am and why I'm starting this blog. I have a degree in 3D Animation from the University of Silicon Valley, USV. My college Journey took a bit longer than four years, partly because of COVID lockdowns and taking part-time classes, but that extra time taught me a lot about persistence, adapting, and rebuilding creative habits. Coming back to in-person classes after the lockdown was a huge hurdle. In one of my animation projects throughout the courses, Project X, our professor constantly reminded us that working together and filming reference videos as a team would make the whole process so much easier. It almost felt like we had to relearn how to collaborate. Being disconnected for so long made it more difficult to stay focused, and after graduating felt like I had to catch up, rebuilding my confidence, sharpening my skills, and relearning how to work. around other creatives again. After finishing my degree, I decided to learn motion design to expand my portfolio. I worked part-time jobs while attending networking events and making connections in the industry. Getting a personal assistant was a turning point for me; she helped review my applications, emails, and posts before I sent them out. Because of my dyslexia, I was never fully confident that my online presence was important, but having support has provided me with the confidence to finally put my work out there. It has made a huge difference. Today, I freelance in graphic design, branding, illustration, and motion design, and I'm finally ready to share more of my creative world.
Why I Want to Blog
This blog was my first sneak peek at everything I've been building. I want to share my creative process because, yes, there is a method to my creative madness and give people a behind-the-scenes look at how I work and what inspires me. My experience working during San Diego Design Week, where I did an illustration-based motion, the design piece on bio-retention basins really helped me to realise how much I want to connect people with information through design. That project reminded me why I love visual storytelling so much: it’s a bridge: The connection of people, ideas, and communities. I'm starting this blog to reach others, whether through shared creativity, inspiration, or just comfort. Knowing someone else out there is building their path, too. I want to talk about my passions, my projects, and all that I'm learning in the process. Can't wait to share more with you all.