The Un-Ordinary: An Anti-Gatekeeping Series on Freelancing (Featuring Cristina Monteiro)

Meet Cristina Monteiro.

Cristina is the creative force behind Studio Charmy. As a passionate designer and illustrator, she's dedicated her career to turning ideas into visual wonders. With a focus on branding, graphic design, and illustration, her mission is to bring her client's unique vision to life.

What's the craziest design request you've ever received?

One of the craziest requests I've ever received was to create an entire branding project for just $10. The disrespect! It's unbelievable that even after years in the industry, there are still people who don't appreciate the value of a designer's work.

‍
What do you do when you get stuck creatively?

When I hit a creative block or feel drained, I watch videos of other designers and artists in action to gain my inspiration. I also browse through Pinterest or flip through books, allowing myself to explore freely and see what sparks my creativity. Participating in design briefs is another great way to get the creative juices flowing, especially when I have the urge to create but don't yet know what to design.

‍
If you could design a new emoji, what would it be?

I'd definitely love to have a cinnamon roll emoji. It's one of my favorite sweets!

‍

What are the most common forms of gatekeeping you've observed?
How do you think we as a community could change them?

One of the most common forms of gatekeeping I've noticed in recent years is the growing exclusivity around how we, as creatives, run our businesses. Many people in the community project and sell a narrow image of what it means to be a designer—how to land clients, make money, and achieve success like them. But the truth is, this knowledge is rarely shared openly. Instead, it’s often packaged behind expensive courses and subscriptions, or templates, creating an illusion that only by buying into these can you achieve the same results, which are often exaggerated or even false.This sets unrealistic expectations, especially for beginner designers and artists. As a community, we need to stop giving attention to this disguised gatekeeping and stop engaging with it. We can do better by supporting each other, being transparent about our processes, and still thriving in the industry. There's no secret formula for landing clients or earning thousands of dollars a month—so let’s stay humble, keep our integrity, and continue having fun doing what we love!

‍

What's your greatest pain point in managing your business?

One of the biggest challenges I face in managing my business is figuring out if I’m charging fairly for my work. We all have expenses, and we want to take on projects we’re passionate about while being compensated appropriately—though that's not always the case. I’ve accepted less than I deserved for a project simply because it was something I really wanted to work on, and that’s fine! But ideally, day-to-day, we should be paid fairly, considering our experience and the project’s scope.That's why I find Roam so valuable. It helps me assess whether I'm undercharging and offers a personalized experience by factoring in my years of experience as a designer. It helps craft the perfect price based on the specific project scope, ensuring fair compensation.
‍

Find Cristina at studiocharmy.com or on IG.

‍

"The Un-Ordinary: An Anti-Gatekeeping Series on Freelancing" by Roam.

Roam is the most intuitive business management platform for digital creatives, here to equip creatives with the practical tools and support to streamline their workflows and thrive in business.
‍
‍

‍

‍