Turning Necessity Into Opportunity With Graphic Designer Pam Cheney

When the pandemic brought the world to a standstill, graphic designer Pam Cheney found herself stuck in Australia with no job and no visa. 

"I started freelancing out of necessity because I didn't have a job to go back to," shared Pam.

Four years later, Pam has a thriving freelance business with clients worldwide. As a Top Rated Plus freelancer on Upwork, she has garnered five-star reviews from hundreds of clients for her branding and website design work. 

We sat down with Pam to learn about her freelancing journey and how she’s trying to make a difference in the world with meaningful design. 

How it all started: a desire for adventure

Pam’s thirst for adventure has taken her far and wide—from Canada to Australia via Scotland and New Zealand.

In 2013, upon graduation with a degree in graphic design, Pam decided to venture out of her hometown, Montreal, Canada, and move to Glasgow, Scotland. After working there as an in-house graphic designer for two years, Pam had been well and truly bitten by the travel bug. 

She returned to Canada for a while before eventually setting off on a brand new adventure, this time to New Zealand. A few years later, with her itinerant spirit firmly in place, Pam and her partner set out to travel the world again. Then the pandemic happened. Stuck in Australia without a valid work visa and no job options at hand, Pam decided to head back to New Zealand and start freelancing.

“Honestly, I didn't think I would like it at first. I thought to myself, I'm doing this because I don't really have a choice. I can't get a job at the moment. I can't leave the house. But I ended up really, really loving it, and I can't see myself going back,” reminisced Pam.

Making a positive impact, one design at a time

"I'm a designer, and I know I’m not going to change the world on my own. But if I work with the right clients, I can help give them the platform to make an even bigger difference.."

Pam’s self-awareness has led her to work with clients whose values resonate with her own. With a focus on “meaningful design,” Pam has worked with clients worldwide and helped them achieve their goals with designs she describes as “approachable, friendly, and human.” 

“I like working with organizations and people who aim to do good in the world and want to make a difference, whether it be environmentally or socially,” she elaborated.

Some of the projects she cherishes most include designing material for a women’s shelter in Kenya and a website design project for a company trying to decolonize fundraising. 

“If I can create a brand that's going to stand out or help create a social media kit that's going to help them reach more people, then that's my way of contributing to their success.”

The perks of freelancing 

For Pam, the ability to choose clients she aligns with is one of the key benefits of freelancing. But the perks don’t end there. “I'm able to choose the clients that I want to work with and just plan my schedule the way I want it.”

When we spoke to her, she was in the midst of a busy moving week. She wasn’t just moving from one apartment to another; she was moving to another country, her current home—Australia! The flexibility of a freelance business allowed Pam to plan and organize this move without needing permission from a boss. Being able to work from anywhere has also allowed her to travel freely and visit her family and friends in Canada while taking her work with her.

Finally, Pam turns one of the most abiding myths about freelancing on its head. While many continue to insist freelancers don’t earn well, Pam told us, “I didn't think I'd be able to earn as much as I earned in an office job, but now I'm earning double what I used to earn.” 

Finding freelancing success with Upwork

Pam’s career trajectory is a reminder that being new to freelancing doesn’t have to be a hurdle. As the world’s human and AI-powered work marketplace, Upwork helps freelancers connect with clients, even if they’re just starting out. With no other professional network to speak of, Pam turned to Upwork when she started freelancing.

“Upwork allowed me to engage with potential clients more effectively and take meaningful steps forward. I appreciated how user-friendly and approachable the platform felt, especially compared to the more complicated setups of other platforms—it made getting started far less intimidating.”

Pam also finds Upwork’s portfolio and messaging features particularly helpful for finding and communicating with clients. Additionally, she appreciates Upwork’s payment protection: " It's nice to just not have to think or worry about that with Upwork and just know that it's taken care of.”

Advice for freelancers: Communicate with your clients

Pam is not only a Top Rated Plus freelancer on the platform; she also has a 99% Job Success Score. Her number one tip for freelancers with similar aspirations is to communicate with clients.

Clients appreciate skilled work but are more likely to form long-term relationships with freelancers who also keep them in the loop. Pam makes sure her clients never feel disconnected from their own projects. She shares expectations at the start of the project and continues to involve them in the process with ongoing conversations and wireframe updates. “It means that the end result is they're happier with the work because they've also had a part in it.”  

On a different note, Pam also gently reminds new designers to be patient with themselves and not work themselves to the point of burnout. “Be kind to yourself and just take the breaks. Go for a walk, get out, and get away from your computer. Don’t think you need to stay and cram out as much as you can because you don't need to.”

Message for clients: Freelancers care about your success

When it comes to design, what do clients stand to gain by working with a freelancer versus a design agency? According to Pam, it’s all about the personal touch. 

A freelancer is invested in the client’s success. “A freelancer is there to guide and push you. They want you to succeed for two reasons: 1. it looks great in their portfolio, and 2. if they enjoyed the experience they will tell their friends. That's good publicity!!” 

Pam is always open to new projects with companies making a difference in the world. Send her a message or invite her to submit a proposal if you would like to work together.