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9 years of design. First Contra Labs project. Here's what happened.
A week ago I got accepted into Contra Labs as a Brand Designer. This week I completed my first paid project through it.
What's changed since my last post:
Discovery score is now 122, top 5% of creatives overall
Completed my first paid, on-platform project through Contra
What I've learned this round:
Reviews and a complete profile get you seen, but an actual completed project on the platform is a different kind of proof. That was the piece genuinely missing before this.
What I do:
Still a one-person studio. Brand identity, packaging design with production-ready files and 3D mockups, and full website builds, handled end to end so nothing gets lost between design and execution.
Based in Karachi, working with clients globally. Genuinely happy to give back here too, if you're working on your Contra profile and want a second pair of eyes on it, case studies, services, positioning, whatever's not landing, send it over and I'll help however I can.
Big achievement. Congrats!
Thanks Brother
Congrats
Thank You!
Congratulations on this achievement. So I would like to take up your offer on getting a second pair of eyes on my Contra profile. Can you check it and give me an honest feedback? Thanks
Thanks i will look into your profile and will guide you
Your headline is strong and specific, "Repeat Sales Architect" tells a buyer exactly what outcome you deliver, not just what tools you use. The live sales dashboard on your case study is genuinely a great trust signal, way more convincing than a static screenshot.
A few things...
Alright thanks. You have given me something to work on. I do have another issue that I am facing on the platform and that is that my proposals are kind of automatically rejected and I can't really get clients reviews. I have never had a proposal that has been approved. I...
Congrats!
Thank You!
Keep Growing Asad!
Thank You!
Thanks
Happy for you
Thanks
Great!
Thanks
thanks
I am looking at joining the Contra Labs section today after 7 years in the industry super happy I discovered Contra this could be a GAME CHANGER :)
you should try its an nice platform
Great achievement 👏
Thank You!
You are one of my inspiration. Thank you for sharing this! I wish you success in this path!
Thank you!
Great work
Thanks
Pro-tip for the freelancer life: treat your portfolio as a living, breathing product. Update your case studies monthly!
True 100% that's what i am aiming for
Mashallah brother keep growing😊
Jazakallah brother
congratulations Brother.
Thank you sister
Great
Great buddy
Thank You!
Hi 👋 i need help landing my first gig its very encouraging to hear your story. Could you have a look at my profile and we can see what i can improve on ? Maybe even write a review for me
Thank You!
congratulations brother 🎉
Congratulation on your achievement.
Thanks
If you build me a whatsapp monthly grocery stockvel how much you charge me?
I have messaged you privately
Thanks Ali
May I ask how long you received the feedback from the labs 😭
within an week
congratulations
Thank You!
Congratulations on the milestone! One thing that stood out to me is your point about completed projects becoming a different kind of proof. It's a great reminder that consistency, delivering quality work, and earning trust matter just as much as having a polished portfolio.
Thank You!
Nine years in and still treating a new platform like day one, that mindset is exactly why it worked. Congrats on the first Labs project.
Thank You!
Big one, congrats!
Nice
thanks
Congrats
congratulations
i will like to take you on your offer
i am just starting out on contra and i wil love you to help me check it out and give me a honest feedback
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Okay… I’m officially on Contra 👋
Been building websites for businesses for a while, and now I’m taking the freelance route seriously.
I’ve got the portfolio.
I’ve got the skills.
Now I just need to figure out the “getting clients” part 😂
For those already freelancing here:
What worked for you when you were starting out?
Cold outreach?
Posting consistently?
Networking?
Or just… pure luck? 😂
Drop your best advice 👇
I’d start with one strong portfolio project and post about a decision you made along the way. Then use the first hour to reply thoughtfully to people in the same niche.
One of the more fun websites we’ve built at Formeta.studio
Dulce Oro started with a brand we built from the ground up, and the website had to carry that same thinking into every interaction.
We built the site architecture around the brand story, wrote the entire website, created a scalable CMS for their US store locations, built a custom age gate, integrated accessibility support, and connected the shop directly to purchasing.
There’s a lot happening underneath what looks like a fairly simple spirits website.
And honestly, that’s our favourite kind of work.
The finished site feels calm and considered, but there’s a proper system holding it all together.
Here’s a little walkthrough of what we built ↓
Fantastic!!
Which one is your favorite?
I'm happy with how this turned out, even tho could've given it more time to develop more brand applications, but it was just for fun.
Check out more of the project here.
26 voted
96%
1 voted
4%
27 votes
Closed
