Talent Is Not Enough : Business Secrets for Designers

by Perkins, Shel

• ISBN13: 9780321278791
• ISBN10: 0321278798
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-01-01
• Publisher: Peachpit Press

Summary

"It is rare to find one individual with such a wide range of knowledge in the design-related fields. And, because of his experience as a designer, Shel brings a sensitivity and understanding to administrative issues while still respecting the artistic side of our industry." -Frank Maddocks, President, Maddocks & Company This comprehensive guide includes everything designers need-besides talent-to turn their artistic success into business success. Yours"ll find information on key issues facing designers from freelancing to the management of established design firms. A strong visual focus and to-the-point text take the fear factor out of learning about thorny business realities like staffing, marketing, bookkeeping, intellectual property, and more. These smart business practices are essential to success in graphic, Web, and industrial design. Here are just a few of the things yours"ll learn: bull; How to get on the right career path bull; How to market your services successfully bull; The best way to determine pricing for your services bull; How to avoid common legal pitfalls bull; How to structure projects for success bull; The secrets of successful teams bull; How to sustain your business long-term Talent Is Not Enoughprovides a big-picture context for these and other challenges and shares practical, real-world advice. The book is destined to become an essential resource for both students and working professionals in these areas and more: bull; Design planning and strategy bull; Corporate identity development bull; Marketing communications bull; Publication and editorial design bull; Brand identity and packaging design bull; Advertising and promotion design bull; Motion graphics bull; Environmental design bull; Industrial design bull; Interaction design BONUS Watch for free chapters online! www.talentisnotenough.com

Table of Contents

Introduction	8	(6)
Career options
01. Making a living as a creative professional	14	(10)
02. Job hunting	24	(30)
03. Independent contractor issues	54	(8)
04. Sample independent contractor agreement	62	(10)
05. Income taxes for freelancers	72	(6)
06. Calculating a freelance rate	78	(6)
Small business
07. Becoming a business	84	(14)
08. Pricing models	98	(8)
09. Setting rates for a firm	106	(10)
10. Marketing	116	(14)
11. Proposals	130	(6)
12. Project management basics	136	(14)
13. Bookkeeping basics	150	(16)
14. Insurance basics	166	(22)
Legal issues
15. Intellectual property	188	(18)
16. Defamation, privacy, and publicity	206	(10)
17. Understanding terms and conditions	216	(26)
18. AIGA standard form of agreement	242	(26)
19. Ethics and social responsibility	268	(8)
Large firms
20. Successful design teams	276	(10)
21. Working with a sales rep	286	(14)
22. Financial management	300	(24)
23. Business planning	324	(22)
24. Exit strategies	346	(18)
25. Special challenges for in-house departments	364	(12)
Index	376	(12)
Acknowledgments	388	(2)
About the author	390