designobserver.com — Some good insights, here is one of my faves: "If we want to make money as a graphic designer, we must concentrate on the work — not the money: Whenever I’ve taken on design projects “just for the money,” disaster has invariably ensued. When we put money first and work second, we end up with bad work & an even worse balance sheet".
Apr 11, 2009 View in Crawl 4
michaelpintoApr 11, 2009Submitter
Here's another good one: "The best way to learn how to become a better graphic designer is to become a client. On the few occasions that I’ve been a paying commissioner of graphic design, I’ve learned more about being a designer than by anything else I’ve done. It’s only by commissioning graphic designers that we discover that most of us are not very good at articulating what we do and how we work."
anagogeApr 11, 2009
Although I do see what you're saying, koft, the Digg Bar can be turned off. It's up to the individual user how they link to an article and besides, on a purely design-related point, anyone wishing to read and be interested in that article will already know and read Design Observer.
werkerholicApr 11, 2009
So many good points, period.
erostarApr 11, 2009
Yeah, because what the hell does Adrian Shaughnessy know?
studiopenguinApr 11, 2009
Wim frickin' Crouwel could have written this, and I'd still call it masturbatory B.S.. Just because the guy co-founded Intro (who's up there with Wolff Olins for "biggest all time pretentious d-bag design firm") doesn't make him an authority on anything. Shaughnessy is a self-taught designer who's best known book, "How to be a Graphic Designer Without Losing Your Soul", is itself best known for its hideously poor typography and self-aggrandizing interviews. What *does* he know, exactly?
hoosierheroApr 13, 2009
This account has been closed by the user
blacktriangleApr 23, 2009
"There’s no such thing as bad clients: only bad designers." There are absolutely horrible clients, fantastic client and those in between. Maybe you should try to operate in the real world instead of your moms basement.
blacktriangleApr 23, 2009
This writer is not a graphic artist, because the experience of a graphic artist is nothing like he explains. Total BS.
kidkash19Jul 3, 2009
Great article, learned quite a bit from it as i am a starting freelance designer :)Kevin<a class="user" href="http://www.smart-designs.nl">http://www.smart-designs.nl</a>
mrpandiggioDec 24, 2009
It's always good to hear ideas and concepts that can make designers more successful. Like any smart person, apply what you think makes sense. Put a few to the test, ignore ones you don't. I appreciate the reading.However, one of the things I've learned over 29 years is that not every designer is meant for every client (visa versa). Use your experience, discernment and insight to develop the client base you want. Develop honest, strong, identifiable business relationships and they usually won't make a move without you. My newest client is an 8 year old retainer.