The Un-Ordinary: An Anti-Gatekeeping Series on Freelancing (Featuring Sunnie Kaun)

Meet Sunnie Kuan.

Sunnie is a freelance brand designer/illustrator, or your next-door designer friend with a focus on branding projects for people who thrive on being unique and unconventional, but really, for all sorts of creative people in general.

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

One of the wildest requests I got was last year when someone reached out asking for a logo for their bakery. I thought it could be an interesting project—until they told me their budget was five dollars. I didn’t waste any time; I politely declined and moved on fast. You’ve got to know your worth!

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What do you do when you get stuck creatively?

I usually search for inspiration on Pinterest, Behance, and Instagram. I tend to look for underrated designers because their work is often distinctive and unique. You know when you see it – it's just different and unconventional, and I like that! I love creating bold and quirky designs.I also like going for walks and spending time in nature. Sometimes I watch random movies to ease my anxiety so I can look at a new project with fresh eyes.

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

Great question, probably a meme. Like cat memes. A cat wearing a banana suit.
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What are the most common forms of gatekeeping you've observed?
How do you think we as a community could change them?

I’ve noticed certain forms of gatekeeping in the design community, often related to a sense of superiority that some designers project. For example, some designers present their work with an air of arrogance, as if their methods or style are untouchable, and they speak about their process in a way that feels condescending. This creates an intimidating environment, where newer designers might feel discouraged or inadequate instead of inspired.When others ask for guidance or clarification, these designers may selectively engage, prioritising those they see as beneficial to their own reputation or status while overlooking others. This creates a kind of exclusivity that doesn’t serve the community as a whole.To make the design community more open, I think we could focus on encouraging humility and promoting constructive conversations. It would be helpful if more experienced designers took on "mentorship roles" and shared their knowledge in a way that’s accessible and welcoming. Celebrating a diversity of perspectives and encouraging all voices to be heard—whether they’re new to the field or highly experienced—would help shift the focus from competition to collaboration, making the community stronger overall.

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

Honestly, I sometimes feel pretty overwhelmed when it comes to figuring out what to charge, especially with smaller projects like social media templates or a single flyer. It feels challenging to find the right balance—something that reflects the time and effort I’m putting in, but also fits within what the client might expect for smaller-scale work. I worry about undervaluing my skills or setting prices that don’t fully cover my time, yet I also want to keep my services accessible. It’d be great to have a clearer, more structured approach for setting fair rates for these smaller projects without second-guessing if I'm underselling myself.
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Find Sunnie on IG.

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"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.
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