I started my web and graphic design business seven years ago and have been making a living doing it full-time ever since.  I’m quite proud to be able to say that I have not only been a working designer for so long, but I have also successfully managed my business over that time.  One of the trends I have noticed from talking with my clients over that time is that many designers lose sight of what it means to provide a service as a business.  So for those of you who might find it useful, I have put together some thoughts on what helps me keep focused.

Don’t fall off the face of the Earth.
This is a huge problem.  The most common call I get is from a prospective client who has started a project with a designer only to get stuck and not be able to get a hold of them.  Return calls.  Answer emails.  No matter what.  You are providing a business service and you must (YOU MUST!) be reliably available to your clients.

Your job is not to make things pretty.
Your job is to communicate a business strategy that compliments a brand.  Yes, the things you make have to look good, but that should never be your main focus.  If you are a talented designer who is locked into the message, the look will work itself out.  You are a commercial artist who must think about how the concept shapes the message.  Things you create have to make sense for the project you’re on.

Just because you can, does not mean you should. See last paragraph.

Create Value.
Is your work creating value or are you just spending hours collecting a paycheck.  Always think about what your work means to the person/company you’re doing it for.  Is it valuable to them?  No?  Try something else.  Yes? How can it be better?

Help other designers.
Look out, see what others are doing.  Generally, the design community is first-class in helping other people.  Be an active member in that community and they will help you when you need it too.

Be patient with your clients.
You can get bad clients, but mostly, they just don’t understand what it means to do what you do.  If you take the time to talk to them about their perceptions and feedback, you can generally find yourself on common ground. can be really hard to do.  Yes, I know this can be really hard.

Listen and Care.
As designers, we get attached to designs we think would most benefit our clients.  Sometimes our clients wants something different.  We are design experts, but our clients are (hopefully) experts in their business too.  Their perception counts.  You have to learn about their business in order to be an effective designer.

So Listen.

And Care.

merlin:

An Incomplete Education

I’ll probably get skewered from every angle for this,¹ but what the heck. A pal asked me what I know about women for a project he’s doing. Here’s 10 minutes’ worth. Covered with grains of salt like:

1. Yes, a lot of this goes both ways. Obviously. Give it a rest.
2. Yes, some of these you won’t agree with. That’s why you and I never dated. Right? Exactly.

Anyhow, for what it’s worth:

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