I have availability for a new freelance design contract from December 2024. If you'd like support from a seasoned designer who has seen a lot of things and fixed those things, it would be great to hear from you hello@michaelcattell.com

As we are running down the weeks now till the end of the year, work is flowing heavily (outbound), coffee is getting back to a high level of taste (thanks to re-subscribing to Pact Coffee again!), and the weather sucks.

It’s a weird vibe when you are working your notice when contracting; you are closing tickets, attending meetings and helping to shape future ways of working, knowing you won’t be there to reap the rewards or see it through - but we all know the rules, leave the workplace better than you found it!

News of America’s choice is again, quite jarring and something that I am scratching my head over - my bubble of friends in America seem to be the opposite of this choice, but.. we have to hope for the best.

Personal-wise:
I spent loads of “switch-off work” time with the kids; trick or treating was an absolute delight, cold.. but loved it. Learning to switch off pretty late in my career and reminding myself is a huge step for someone self-employed (as is my wife) is tough; it seems we are always thinking of the next contract or sale, which is anxiety-inducing, but I have to trust the process, the universe and.. my LinkedIn updates!

Work-wise:
This isnt my first rodeo of handing over work, so that process had started well before it was meant to; onboarding the next (and excellent) designer has begun, knowing it’s in safe and capable hands (and someone fresh on the project) is wonderful. I’ve got some minor tickets left, which feel minor, but I’m sure they will suddenly grow (as is always the case).

What am I looking forward to this week:
All the work offers I shall receive, of course! On a serious note - I am looking for Service design and interaction design (let’s throw in Product Design/UX in there, too) roles; I have done both many times, sometimes without being asked, but filling that gap that is often left out.

Cooking bread, I’m desperate to cook bread!

Watch of the week: It was halloween, the time when we see zombies, pumpkins and vast amounts of sweets, so I should recommend something that popped up in my feed: Dawn of the Dead - Accidentally Un-letterboxed Cannes Cut Anchor Bay (1996). It’s one of my favourite zombie films ever, and I’ve watched it A LOT.