How to Be a Graphic Designer, Without Losing Your Soul

Amazing book - a great read for any individual who is thinking of defining their place in the Graphic Arts world. You can seriously learn something new or reaffirming from it every time you pick it up. - Don't look for solid examples of what steps to follow, the overview is good, but it being told by somebody who has been in the industry for years and never appeared to have any major struggles that plague many young graphic artists today. Adrian does a great job of making sure to touch on just about every major aspect of the design business world, but like I said - its an overview. It would pretty cool if there was a book that read like memoirs of a student to entrepreneurial success story with each step detailed. You know - like the first equipment purchases, the struggle to fit in, the stress of taxes, finding the niche, hiring some help, branding the company, asking for loans, supply and demand, and cut throat business approach to stay competitive and successful. I just started a new conceptual tutorial website that will feature only quality tutorials aimed at teaching fellow artists or aspiring artists the skills and techniques being practiced by today's industry professionals; from using office equipment like scanners, Adobe Illustrator and principals of good color profiling to setting up quickbooks online for your accounting. The web address can be found here: http://www.designer-tutorials.com/ I am not trying to push this site - I just wanted a way to reach out to those looking for answers that are not found in this book (or any other that I have looked at - I am very open to suggestions)and so far - there just is not a singular source for this type information. Like I said - I am very interested - if you know of a good book - please make the recommendation here or at the website above. - Good luck to all fellow artisans.

This may not be a good book for those who have been in the field for a while. What this book is good for is, students and people who are barely starting their art career. Even though it is not set in a traditional grid, or in serifed font, this book was probably the easiest read I've ever had. Either its because it doesnt use a lot of jargon, or its just interesting. I'm a student, alot of the stuff mentioned in this book is so well put together and so relevant and so logical. so if you're a designer, who has a job, and is happy, then dont bother. but if you're a student or upcoming designer who just wants a leg up on your competition, then this is the best book I can recommend.

Graphic designers love to talk about sources of inspiration, but less willing to discuss the basics on locating work, pricing, and how to handle irate or non-paying clients - so it's essential that any graphic designer operating independently have this practical reference. It's one thing to be creative; it's another to manage its business needs. How To Be A Graphic Designer Without Losing Your Soul provides tested strategies for setting up, running and promoting a studio - and working with clients and their common problems.

If you are in commercial art field, regardless whether you are in graphic design or not, you must read this book. It tell you everything you wish your design school teachers had told you about the business of being a commercial artist. As an art school instructor myself, I made this book into a recommended reading material for my graduating illustration majors. Just cross the words "design" in this book and write over "illustration" (or animation, advertising, or whichever commercial art occupation), and more than 95% of it works. It is because this book does not teach you the tricks and gimmicks, but teaches you the philosophy of the business of being a commercial artist.

Anyone entering into the field of graphic design, either coming out of school or embarking on a career solo, should read this book. It doesn't mess with what the best typefaces are, or any software tricks. Instead, it lets you in on how designers think, and how to be successful in your endeavors. A foreward written by Sagmeister himself, along with interviews with other "rock star" designers, make this book simply amazing.