Miss Nicole Stephanie Steinmetz
Edgy Premium Website Designer
Perth, AUS
currently working remotely from Canggu, Bali #islandlife
www.kneecoal.com
instagram @kneecoaldotcom
Q What do you do?
“The short answer is I’m a Squarespace CSS Website Designer.”
The long answer is I create polished yet authentic web designs for edgy boutique brands that want to build long-lasting emotional connections with their ideal customers.
Q What steps did you take to get to where you are now?
I took the super traditional route of finishing a Bachelor of Art, majoring in Graphic Design and starting at an agency as a freelancer. In my downtime, I built up a local client base offering a wide range of services from branding, website design, and photography. Like every "slashie" - I enjoyed a good dabble, discovering which discipline my style was tailored to and which the market demanded. After many years of juggling all the hats possible - I reevaluated and decided to quit the agency and niched down, working entirely on my own, specializing in website design. It's been 12 years now since the journey began, and being always frothing about furthering my skills - I'm excited for the times ahead.
Q How do you stand out in your field?
Design Process:
With a formal education and having agency experience, I am well-versed in the “design process” and ensure my customers go through a thorough onboarding and handover experience. We have a set structure and transparent communication practices in place - now the fun begins! Yeow.
Skills:
I’m a bit of a tech nerd; I am now trying to learn all I can about coding to expand Squarespace’s capabilities with a custom-coded solution.
Authorised:
I’m too legit to quit. 😂 But seriously, I’m one of the few Authorised Squarespace Trainers in Perth. I’ve completed over ten online comprehensive courses. I also graduated with continuous high achievement awards for a couple of years.
Q What are you working on right now?
Upping my Instagram game and building a few high end e-commerce websites.
Q What’s your style?
My website and Instagram are a pretty accurate view of my style. I aim for a polished yet authentic style, high-end without an ounce of pretension and cool yet approachable.
Q Out of all your slashies, which one do you wish you could do more often?
Nah, I’ve made the giant leap into just doing website design. I would, however, like to expand my knowledge into Web3 and Webflow.
Q What is frustrating you right now?
New work requests constantly flood in simultaneously instead of spreading themselves up to all nicely — the freelancer curse.
Q If you could hire someone for $20/hour, what would you have them do to make your day easier?
Admin. Replying to emails.
Q What do you wish you could have told yourself, when, and why?
To have more confidence in your skills. To believe in yourself. The things I tell everyone else to do, but hypocritically have struggled to implement myself for many, many years.
Q If you could talk to an expert to gain more insight on something, what would it be about?
Expanding globally.
Q What kind of opportunities/projects are you looking for?
High-end/premium/upscale brands with an alternative/edgy flair who want to elevate their online presence.
Q Describe your ideal job/client/collaboration.
My favourite clients share the same ethos and give us the creative freedom to create a design that aligns with their ethos yet pushes the boundaries creatively.
Q: What is your rate?
Our day rate is AU$500, and the average website is built in 2 - 7 days, depending on the project requirements.
Q How should someone approach you about working together?
I love an excellent Zoom meeting, walk down the beach, chilled out coffee date, or pumping cocktail night for our first meeting - both online and offline. I’ve done it all and would do every option on the spectrum repeatedly. When you’re serious about delivering results - work meetings should be fun.
PM me @kneecoaldotcom
Q Who is a creative you admire?
It’s not one person - so I’m cheating here, but I love A24. Everything they touch is gold.
Q Oh! and… how do you stay creative?
New locations, new friends, new interior design, old cinematography and timeless fashion.
This member profile was originally published in May 2022.