How to be a Graphic Designer Without Losing your Soul (chapters 6,7 & 8)
The topics of the these readings included running a studio, winning work, and everything you need to know about clients. Continuing on the idea of working in a studio, chapter 6 covers how to run one successfully. The first and probably most important is finding and employing a good and creative staff. The book mentions that this can be just a difficult as a new designer trying to find a job, the tables have turned! The best piece of advice that the book has to offer on this subject is “always employ people who are better than you.” Once again, I’m amazed by such a simple piece of advice, yet I never would have came up with it. When interviewing a designer the three most important things to think about are talent, sustainability and potential. The book then goes back into the nitty gritty with things like hiring non-design staff and receptionists, things for some reason I can’t bring myself to really think about only because they seem so far away and maybe something I’ll never have to worry about. I guess I just don’t see myself starting my own studio so I tend to zone out when reading such details, though they are important and good bits of information for one who might be.
I really enjoyed the chapter about clients. As someone who as worked in customer service for several years now, it’s interesting to look at it from a design/client perspective. The chapter covers how to find, keep and develop clients and suggests to “treat your clients like you treat your friends.” Although it can work being friends with a client, “but there is much to be said for keeping a barrier between intimacy and professional matters.” What I found most helpful is that, clients are not always right and its ok to challenge when they are wrong. Having a client that that is too controlling or “exploitative” needs to be sacked. Having a client that forces you to create bad designs can be harmful to you or your company.
