Article: Forever Freelancer | Celsy Sabilla
Forever Freelancer | Celsy Sabilla
Graphic designer and creative. Founder of Hour Hall studio. Bali & Jakarta.
There's always a moment, a meeting, a Monday, a very specific email, that made you think "I can't keep doing this." What was yours?
When the inflation hits hard in your own home country. Shout out to our president.
Going into your own practice, what did you think the hardest part would be, and what is it actually?
One of the most challenging parts of running my own practice is staying disciplined — making sure the studio stays afloat while managing different people involved: designers, project managers, client relations, and scoring new projects.
What's the skill you've had to develop that has absolutely nothing to do with what you actually do, but makes or breaks everything?
Leadership and putting on different hats. I'm a creator, a decision maker, someone who leads but also deals with timelines and numbers — all those spreadsheets. Also just getting out there, meeting people, and being open to new opportunities.
If you had to pick up to three GIFs to describe the energy of a memorable client, what are we watching?
Raging in front of my screen — this one.
When the client and the studio are on the same page — this one.
Chasing invoices — this one.
What's a phrase that instantly tells you a project is about to become complicated?
"So we're still in the process of figuring out the business but would like to start the branding ahead." You just know there are going to be delays and uncertainties halfway through.
What's the most studio founder sentence you've ever had to say?
I grow my own vegetables. Just in case, you know — societal collapse.
Tell us the lowest rate you ever accepted. The actual figure. No rounding up for dignity.
* This answer is anonymous. The number becomes part of a collective figure drawn from everyone in this series.
IDR 3,000,000 — around $250 at the time. But it was a fun project, something I wanted in my folio. I just take things and be experimental about it.
What would you put on a business card that actually captures what you do?
Cat sitter.
What have you gained that would've been difficult to find anywhere else?
Staying true to yourself and having good intuition so you can make the right call for your own decisions. Saying yes to projects without having full experience is okay — as long as you're confident and committed, you'll realize its full potential. Sometimes you gotta act the part.
Finish the sentence: "Forever Freelancer means…"
"Free rein."