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How to "Fail upwards" with Winnipeg graphic designer Sam Posnick

Posted by Mike Green, SCENE writer | Tuesday September 13, 2011

Sam Beer Money Side bar.jpg
(Sam Posnick)

If you want to learn "how to succeed as a creative freelance without really trying," well then, Sam is your gal.

Winnipeg illustrator and graphic designer Sam Posnick dispenses sage advice like Lionel Richie says "Hello". She is also a top notch designer whose illustrations have been featured on Urban Outfitter products, amongst others.

Sam bestows her witty, charming observations at Winnipeg's next PechaKucha night. But, just in case you can't pull yourself off the couch, Sam delivers some of her trade secrets right here, in a short Q & A session with SCENE.

What inspired you to "fail-upwards"?
It occurred to me that if I put even a mediocre effort in at self-promotion, I could probably make it work. I'd been at my current job for five years, and while I enjoyed the work, it was a going-nowhere position so if I was going to quit, that was a good time to do so.

I also come from a massive family of mainly entrepreneurs, the running joke being that we lack the ability to work for anyone because we're always "right"!

Sam Relevancy Side bar.jpg
(Sam Posnick)

I'm often a freelancer myself; give me three pieces of advice as to how I can "meteorically rise to the middle" too?
While I can't guarantee that followers will be as wildly moderately successful as I am, I do subscribe to the following truths:

Truth #1 - Put yourself out there. There's so many free avenues you can use to promote yourself, especially in an arts-oriented city like Winnipeg. Twitter, blogs, local papers; it doesn't matter that much what you're saying, what matters is that you're SAYING it.

Truth #2 - Make sure you have a financial cushion. Important when you start, and just as important when you've become successful.

Truth #3 - Try to spend time with people who support you. My fiance is fabulous, I couldn't have done it without him. Most creative people have a fair amount of self-loathing, so it's definitely worthwhile to be around people who think you don't suck.

What drew you (or should I say is drawing you) to doing a PechaKucha presentation?
Everyone loves a stage. Or maybe I just like to hear myself talk. Yes, definitely the latter one.

Sam don't suck Side bar.jpg
(Sam Posnick)

Why should we go to PechKucha?
There's something for everyone at PechaKucha, that's the beauty of it. While it's often creative types speaking, the subject matter is so varied that it's always interesting to see what the next speaker is going to come with. And hey, if you don't like a presentation, well, you only have to wait 6 minutes for a change. PechaKucha is kind of like the weather in that aspect.