I’m just about to finish the college. Handed in my last projects and preparing the best pieces for the graduate show. I’ve learn t what I’ve learn t but nobody taught me what to charge, how to find work, how to deal with difficult clients who rejects weeks of work and doesn’t want to pay.
How to be a graphic designer, without losing your soul addresses these concerns. Adrian Shaughnessy’s book covers different areas. It starts with a
- Foreword from Stefan Sagmeister.
- Discuss the main attributes required by a graphic designer.
- How to find a job: a list of employment options, studio, in-house, firm. Advantages of apprenticeship. Where to look for a job. How to approach a studio.
- Being freelance: Setting up, benefits, pitfalls, working from home, sharing, how to get work, what sort of clients employ freelancers.
- Setting up a studio:Business plan, advisers, finding premises, choosing a name, creating an identity.
- Running a studio: Employing, supporting talent, studio philosophy.
- Winning new work: Business strategies, promotion, finding clients, pitches
- Clients: dealing with client expectations, unhappy client, how to spot a time waster
- Self-promotion: Cultivating a reputation, design competitions, professional organizations, attending lectures and events, relationship with art colleges.
- The creative process: Approach a new project, interpret the brief, research, process, collaboration, personal creative philosophy, criteria for good work.
- The ten interviews: Neville Brody, Natalie Hunter, Rudy VanderLans, John Warwicker, Angela Lorenz, Alexander Gelman, Andy Cruz, Kim Hiorthoy, Peter Stemmler, Corey Holms
I have to admit that I haven’t finished the book yet however I can recommend this book to any young designer without hesitation. Adrian Shaughnessy writes about the grubby bits of being a designer. He has a great style and sense of humor. The book also includes interviews with ten leading designers. All told that the book covers just about every aspects of the graphic designer profession.
This post is tagged books, Business, design book, design resource, Freelance, freelancer, Graphic design, Review
2 Comments
Thanks for the review, it looks interesting.
I’ve been freelancing full time for 8 or 9 months and part time for a few years before that but it sounds like this book would still be useful for me.
Shauns last blog post..Gatecrasher to Gordon Ramsay
Hello Shaun,
Thanks for your comment. I’m just finishing the book and it’s great. Loads of useful information and a very entertaining style. I think it’s a great book and highly recommend it.
Szabi
Incoming Links
Share your thoughts