A portion of the public* thinks graphic designers are stupid. What else can be the rationale for offers we are presented? *at least here in the US What is your procedure when hiring a service professional? Imagine approaching a plumber, “I have a leak that needs to be fixed ASAP, …
A noncomprehensive and biased list of graphic design books. Some of these books are canon and can be found on myriad lists, others are less referenced. Either way, any would be excellent an addition to your design library.
A clarification to begin. A professional design critiques’ primary focus is to improve the work, an educational critique is to improve the designer. My interest here are students and thus improving the designer. Full disclosure, I am an advocate for and active participant in online critiques. “My teacher says this …
An almost comprehensive guide to hiring a freelance graphic designer or a small to medium design firm. What is graphic design? A quick primer on a description of graphic design from two sources who have articulated it better than I can, one pragmatic, one poetic: “Graphic design, also known as …
At first, a quote of $1000.00 or even $500.00 dollars for a “simple” logo may seem expensive. When assessing the price of anything there are multiple factors worth considering, including value you get from the thing over time and the effort that went in to it’s creation. I am concerned …
A useful way to think of graphic designers is as advocates. I propose this description as a framework to help understand some of the activities and responsibilities of designers. The notion of mediator is a similar and sometimes valid descriptor, but a mediator is primarily concerned with resolving conflict, which …
It is irksome when professionals misuse terms related to their respective profession. Part of being a professional involves the ability to communicate well. The foundation of good communication is agreeing on the definitions of words. A graphic design colleague mention they were hired for a “rebranding” job. I knew the …
How to compose a successful critical commentary: You should attempt to re-express your target’s position so clearly, vividly, and fairly that your target says, “Thanks, I wish I’d thought of putting it that way.” You should list any points of agreement (especially if they are not matters of general or …
Activities that are deeply collaborative can be challenging to execute in educational settings where students are evaluated individually both in out of the classroom. In a design firm or studio setting a designer seldom works a job from inception to completion independently. You may be generating ideas and sketches and …
“Did you call Bill?” “No, I tried, but I can’t find his number” “But I gave you his business card” she said not hiding her frustration. “Yeah I know, but there is a lot of info on it, I can’t make heads or tails of it” “Let me see that,” …
