Book Description
Technology has sent shockwaves of change through the world of commercial art. Digital illustration and design, online portfolio sites, and the proliferation of stock art have radically changed the way that illustrators and graphic designers work. What has not changed, however, is the wealth of illustrators and graphic designers hoping to turn their talent into freelance success. More than ever, artists face questions such as how to get started, how to sell their work, how to promote themselves, and what to do once they are working. For those embarking on freelance careers in illustration or graphic design, the answers have arrived. A twenty-five year veteran in the field, Michael Fleishman, has detailed every business aspect of commercial art in Starting Your Career as a Freelance Illustrator or Graphic Designer.
Customer Reviews:
essential.......2007-08-14
so you want to go freelance... you really, REALLY want to go freelance? Tired of working for a boss? Want your own hours? Sleep late? Get this book, read it and then decide. It'll give you a well-rounded education of what they don't tell you in art school because what your professors were really interested in at that time wasn't your education, but getting a piece of co-ed you-know-what while they collected their paycheck.
Best Book On Freelancing I've Ever Read.......2007-06-27
This is simply one of the best books for starting a freelance art career that I've ever read. This book gives you very practical information about almost every detail of freelance illustration and graphic design. You'll find information on creating business and financial plans, setting up and managing a studio, billing procedures, creating a portfolio and marketing yourself to potential clients. I find a lot of books of this nature don't talk about the raw mechanics of business so much as they offer token inspiration and motivation. If you're interested in a book that will actually give you useful information about the business side of freelancing this is the one to buy.
The only areas where it seemed to be a little on the thin side were dealing with taxes and the legal issues concerned with working for youself. Other than that it was wonderful.
Great reference book!.......2007-05-28
I love this book! It's great for those just starting up and has covered each aspect of becoming a freelancer. Each time something has come up, I referenced this book and found the answers! Highly recommended!
A great little guide for the wanta-be entrepreneur who doesn't have a mentor to help them go from W-2 worker to self-employed!.......2007-04-29
I really liked this book a lot. It was a very good first-hand book written by a small business owner about his experiences starting, managing, and prospering as a freelance illustrator and/or graphic designer. His writing style was not exactly stellar. But it certainly was clear. The 20 chapters included in the book fell into the following 4 topics:
1. STARTING THE FIRM
>>Where Do You Start?
>>Off on the Right Foot
>>Creating a Plan for Your Business
>>Developing Your Financial Plans
>>Forms, Charts & Templates
>>Pricing Your Work and Getting Paid
2. MANAGING THE FIRM
>>Why Should You Freelance?
>>Setting Up Shop
>>Managing Your New Studio
3. RAINMAKING FOR THE FIRM
>>Bring in Clients
>>How to Get Noticed
>>What Goes in the Portfolio
>>Marketing on the Web
4. POSSIBLE MARKETS
>>The Magazine Market
>>Selling to the Newspapers
>>Working with Advertising Agencies
>>Selling to Book Publishers
>>The Greeting Card Market
>>Working with Art and Design Studios
>>Selling to Small Business
Since I am not an illustrator or a graphic designer I did not have much use for the fourth topic. But it was interesting to read about. I regularly counsel wanta-be entrepreneurs about how to start a small business; I'm a volunteer SCORE counselor. And the material covered in the first three topics above are exactly what I talk about with my SCORE clients. I highly recommend this book to anybody wanting to start their own small consulting practice. It does a wonderful job discussing the topics.
My biggest complaint with the book is the tendency of the author to recommend outsourcing so many functions: accounting, taxes, and Web site design and construction. I think these things should be fully understood by the small business owner and probably done by the owner herself. When the business grows to have a few employees, then the employees can do those tasks if the owner wants to do that.
I would have written the section on choice of business structure differently. Keep in mind that LLCs can be either single member or multi member. An LLC can elect to be taxed as a sole proprietorship (single member), a partnership (multi member), or a C Corporation. Also, a multi member LLC will have to file a partnership tax return. A good book on the subject that I recommend you read to supplement this book is Structuring Your Business (ISBN: 1593371772). I highly recommend forming an LLC and electing to have it taxed as a C Corporation. Just give yourself a bonus at year-end so the corporation retains no earnings. If your business is a corporation it is less likely to be audited by the IRS. 5 stars!
Good book.......2006-11-11
At first, I had heard that this author talks "down" to the illustrator when he is explaining things, but this book I actually found very helpful, true to life and there weren't any sugar coatings. I enjoyed how he wrote and he put things into perspective, he didn't talk down.
Book Description
Even in a digital age dominated by the Web and DVD's, print media remains a primary means of communication in our culture. Exploring Publication Design tackles the unique challenges encountered in designing books, magazines, newspapers, promotional literature, and the various other types of print publications. Highly regarded author and design educator Poppy Evans identifies the design and communication issues specific to publications and then examines the ways in which design principles and techniques can be applied to solve these design challenges. The book's wide-ranging coverage includes the most effective ways of organizing content and using type and color, sources of visual images, the ins and outs of page layout, professional opportunities in publication design, and much more.
Customer Reviews:
good design book.......2006-11-10
a really good, general design book that's easy to understand and makes perfect sense. gives great ideas and explains how to accomplish good designs.
A nice introduction to publications design, but..........2005-12-27
I am a beginnner in the realm of publications design and I was looking for a good introduction to the field. This book offers just that. It serves as a great guide for things that you will need to study in more depth if you want to function in this realm of design. The writing is very reader-friendly. It is not too wordy or "text bookish". Here is a break down of the chapters you will find in this book:
1.) Publication Desing Within an Historical Context - Exactly what it says: The history and development of graphic design as a discipline.
2.) The Principles and Elements of Publication Design - Basic design principles as applied specifically to publications.
3.) Using Color Effectively - Color is a lot more complex than one might think, and managing its use is an important part of visual communication.
4.) Understanding Type - Typography (big shocker).
5.) Page Layout - One of the most valuable chapter (IMO). Discusses grid systems and properly organizing pages.
6.) Imagery - Different types of imagery, possibly sources, using it effectively etc.
7.) Publication in the Third Dimension - Another of my favorite chapters. Introduces you to printing concerns such as paper weights and binding techniques.
8.) Design Principles at Work - Case studies of specific publication types (magazines, newspapers, newsletters, catalogs etc.).
9.) Professional Opportunities in Pubcliations Design - Awesome chapter detailing the different areas one can find work in (yes, there are quite a lot).
Overall this is a great introduction. However potential buyers should note this. These subjects definitely require further reading and study, but this book is a great starting point.
My only real complaint with this book is in regards to another book in the Design Exploration series that Poppy Evans co-authored: "Exploring the Elements of Design". This book can be a bit repetitive if you already own EoD. Some chapters may as well have been copy and pasted between the two books. That's how similar they are (ESPECIALLY the imagery chapter). Quite a few of the diagrams are copied directly from "Elements" which did annoy me quite a bit. Despite this, the chapters not appearing in "Elements" make this book more than worth the money as far as I'm concerned.
One other complaint is proof-reading. This book could have used a better dose of it. There are not that many mistakes, and I may just be nitpicking, but there were a few points where I said to myself "How did they not catch that?" For instance, in a diagram discussing gridlines, the caption references the gridlines that are supposed to be "indicated in red". Ok, this is good, except for the fact that the grid lines are actually blue. This is such a small mistake, I know, but I would think that the publishers would be more concerned about spotting inconsistencies like this.
Overall though, this is a great buy. I really enjoyed it. If you are still not sure about the purchase, you can always visit www.delmarlearning.com. I went to the website out of curiosity and discovered that they have a few sample chapters posted online in PDF format for most of their books. A big help!
Book Description
A revision of the bestselling visual guide to becoming a graphic designer
Becoming a Graphic Designer provides a comprehensive survey of the graphic design market, including complete coverage of print and electronic media and the evolving digital design disciplines that offer today's most sought-after jobs. Featuring 65 interviews with today's leading designers, this visual guide has more than 600 illustrations and covers everything from education and training, design specialties, and work settings to preparing an effective portfolio and finding a job. The book offers profiles of major industries and key design disciplines, including all-new coverage of careers in exhibition design and illustration.
Steven Heller (New York, NY) is Art Director of the New York Times Book Review and cochair of the MFA/Design program at the School of Visual Arts. He is the author of over 80 books on design and popular culture. Teresa Fernandes (Greenwich, CT) is a publications designer and art director.
Customer Reviews:
Good read for background info.......2007-04-21
If you're learning design, this is a great way to start. It lays out the basics and has numerous interviews with current designers. It will help lead you toward a career in design if you pay attention to all their clues. It has many different examples of different design fields, so you can decide which one interests you most. The only thing I wasn't impressed with was the color layout. For a design book, it should be more aesthetically pleasing, but it had only black, white, and green. I'm sure that's to keep cost down though.
Great book depending upon your interest.......2006-04-10
I do agree with the previous reviewer that this book does not have practical advice in terms of performing graphic design related duties. There are plenty of books out there that you can acquire that will outline the process of designing, design elements etc... such as "The Elements of Graphic Design" by Alex. W. White.
However, this book as its sub-title clearly states is "A Guide to Careers in Design", and in that regards performs very well in outlining the myriad of different fields and industries that Graphic Designers are involved in. Also, they interview many key figures involved in these fields and pick their brain regarding the state of design, dynamics of their respective industry and also how one should best approach beginning a career as a designer.
I found the book invaluable in that it was like having wise uncles in dozens of different design industries and having a talk with you about, "How things really work." Somewhat light reading but still quite informative.
Missed the mark.......2006-03-11
This might be a good book for someone who don't have any design experience. I was looking for direction in how to begin as a novice with some training rather than starting from scratch. This book is for those who would say, "Hmm should I get into graphic design? Where do I start I no absoultely nothing?". The description just wasn't very helpful to me.
Book Description
OPPORTUNITIES IN . . . SERIES PROVIDES VALUABLE CAREER INSIGHT TO STUDENTS AND JOB SEEKERS!
The most comprehensive career book series available, Opportunities in . . . explores a vast range of professions.
Each book offers:
- The latest information on a field of interest
- Training and education requirements for each career
- Salary statistics for different positions within each field
- Up-to-date professional and Internet resources
And much more
Customer Reviews:
Very informitive.......2000-04-06
I was researching the career of a graphic designer for a school project, and I this book explained and answered all of my questins. And get this, I got an "A" on my report!
Book Description
Leading headhunter Roz Goldfarb reveals her time-proven secrets for survival and success in the graphic design industry. Through her work with hundreds of corporations around the world, she provides readers a treasure trove of valuable information for thriving in this creatively driven business, including updated hiring criteria, the latest developments in technology, and the marketplace affecting design careers. Discussion in this revised and expanded third edition includes: jobs, hiring practices, salaries, portfolios, resumes, networking, headhunters, training, freelancing, and more, with a special focus on the new design disciplines, training requirements, and opportunities for the Internet.
Customer Reviews:
Biggest Piece of Fluf In My Library.......2005-09-02
This book is 199 pages of fluffy copywriting. There's no substance!
I'll find myself reading a section that feels like a long winded introduction, then...POOF...onto the next topic. Over and over again.
The target audience of this book (Designers) is too broad. Because of that, everything is vague generalizations. Maybe Goldfarb could write about some specifics if the demographic was narrowed down to only one of the following: Graphic Designers, Multimedia Designers, Freelance Designers, etc.
If you need this book to tell you that a resume and portfolio are important to finding a new job, then by all means, pick up a copy. But if you've taken ANY classes in design or have ANY work experience, don't waste your time...
read this cover to cover.......2002-07-05
After I read Careers by Design, I immediately ordered copies for everyone on staff at Portfolio Center and urged them to read it from cover to cover. Thats how important I believe this book is. I can think of no more useful tool for illustrating the state of the industry today, how it is evolving, and what we must do as educators to ensure our students will be the utmost prepared to enter it. As for students, this book is required reading. Goldfarb offers smart insight into
everything from discovering your creative niche--and finding the ideal job--to giving your notice, and her wisdom concerning manners, ethics, and reputation is invaluable.
Hank Richardson, President, Portfolio Center, Atlanta, Georgia
Hank Richardson is President of Portfolio Center in Atlanta, one of the most renown schools for the communicating arts in America. A chronic insomniac, he spends the wee hours conjugating the verb "charette," and preparing for his 5 a.m. classes, events famous for their heated debates and hot Krispy Kremes. In addition to being one of the countrys most respected design educators, he is an AIGA Fellow and a founding member of AIGA/Atlanta. His students have won more than 4000 design and advertising awards.
Thank you, Roz Goldfarb!.......2002-06-13
I learned a lot in design school, but there wasn't much taught about how to actually go out and find a job. Two months after graduation, I was getting desperate when I saw this book in a store and picked it up. It distinguished the areas of expertise in the field and explained how to pursue opportunities in each of them. Chapter 12 is my favorite, because it told me exactly how I needed to be presenting myself to prospective employers. I am now weighing TWO (!) attractive job offers and, wouldn't you know it, I am using Chapter 14 of this book to guide me in negotiating my salary before choosing. Roz Goldfarb, you are a goddess!
The Best Advice from the Best in the Business.......2002-06-13
Anyone who works (or hopes to work) in the design field wishes he or she had access to a corporate recruiter for advice and updates on the industry. Careers by Design gives you exactly that for less than twenty bucks. I worried about my portfolio, my resume, my contacts, wondering what had changed in the field since I was last "out there" and this book was my life saver. To say I highly recommend it is an understatement, because it is a no-brainer. Go out and get a copy of this book today, then know exactly how to get the job you have been hoping to find! It worked for me.
Book Description
Newsletter Design A Step-by-Step Guide to Creative Publications "Make it dramatic. Make it readable. Make it believable." Words of advice to those who plan, design, or edit newsletters from the author of Newsletter Design, Edward A. Hamilton. Follow the advice of this designer of world-renowned publications and your newsletter will never land in the junk-mail pile. You'll learn techniques used by the most successful publications to attract readers and rivet their attention. Included in this step-by-step guide:
- Planning visual content
- Fast-paced journalistic writing
- Forceful page layout
- Eye-catching graphics
- Strong, clear typography
- Powerful photojournalism
- Cost-wise production
From selecting a name, logotype, and cover design to going on press, every element of producing a stand-out newsletter is explained step-by-step in clear language. Principles are expressed in simple terms that apply equally to desktop publishing or traditional T-square and typewriter. Layouts that are cluttered and complex—or bland and austere—can sabotage even the best editorial ideas. The author shows you how to avoid the stock, "off-the-shelf look". You'll learn to master simple but powerful page layout, sparkling typography that promotes clarity, strength and elegance. you'll learn how to edit and design with compelling journalistic photographs and vivid graphics. In addition, the book introduces a twelve-part grid design that not only opens up new creative possibilities and relief from the standard three-column page, it works perfectly with computer coordinates. There's plenty of support for desktop publishers using WordPerfect, Lotus, Adobe, and Quark. You'll get tips for spicing up your pages with tables, charts, graphs, pictographs, and maps, using simple software programs. It's all here. From logotype to printed pages, you won't find a more readable, on-the-money guide to designing newsletters.
Customer Reviews:
Useful.......2002-10-10
This book is very useful and I use it as a guide when producing newsletters for my campus. The author's tone is a bit high-handed but the information is invaluable. There are examples of styles and set-ups for very fine standard styles. Not anything cutting-edge in it, though. The author is thorough in language useage and styles. Lots of what not to dos in here.
Really old book.......2002-09-04
This is a good book with lots of tried and true design tips, but if you're looking to redesign your newsletter and give it a "current" feel, be forwarned: this book is almost 10 years old, and the sample newsletters they feature show it. I think it's a good book, but given its age it should be cheaper.
Excellent Source for Designing a Polished Newsletter.......1998-08-23
With this book plus "Producing a First-Class Newsletter" By Barbara A. Fanson, I learned everything I needed to know to produce a very polished redesign of the monthly newsletter for my company's customers. Well worth the money.
Book Description
Careers in the graphic arts can be both rewarding and glamorous for young men and women with good training and proper focus. The author points readers toward courses in art and graphic design, discusses interning in studios and art departments, and points out the pros and cons of freelancing versus working in-house, at design firms and ad agencies. Titles in the practical and enlightening Success Without College series guide ambitious young men and women toward satisfying and well-paying careers in fields where a college degree is not required. However, all occupations described do require specialized training, either on the job or in technical or vocational classroom settings. Readers learn how and where to get that training, then find out how to get started on the highway to career success.
Customer Reviews:
Very good all around info for "Young" designers.......2001-06-09
Careers in Art and Graphic Design is a good introduction to what the "young" graphic artist is up against. And it's encouraging. The jobs exist. We must mold the skill set to fill them. It gives solid practical information on how to form those skill sets and it's very current. It lists many occupations from Jewelry design to 3D game modeling. It also says internships are all but required. Whoosh! That's the sound of the air going out of my tires.
If I had a degree in art, a HR manager would look at it and say, "That's nice. Now show me what you can do." There's a Sports Arena full of folks with an MFA and no job. This is a portfolio driven industry. Careers in Art and Graphic Design gives info on how to get a job without a degree. It does so in a factual way.
My one compliant is that the layout isn't very attractive. Hmmmm, Maybe they should have hired me!
Average customer rating:
- correction needed
- It is the best book on graphical design that I have read
- Es el mejor libro para diseñadores que he leído
|
Careers by Design: A Headhunter's Secrets for Success and Survival in Graphic Design
Roz Goldfarb
Manufacturer: Allworth Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 General
| Instructional & How-To
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Graphic Arts
| Graphic Design
| Design & Decorative Arts
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Job Hunting & Careers
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
Guides
| Job Hunting & Careers
| Business & Investing
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 1880559579 |
Book Description
Selling Graphic Design shows designers, or anyone selling design, the best ways to find clients, develop lasting relationships with them, and maximize sales. It explains how to write effective proposals, offer the right design solutions, and provide services to fit a client's needs and budget. Also included are tips on pricing, billing, portfolios, promotion and networking, turning low budgets into successful projects, specific markets designers may not be aware of, helpful glossaries of terms and trade customs, and a list of professional organizations and publications.
Customer Reviews:
correction needed.......2001-01-05
I was happy to see there is such a high rating on my book but please note that you have mixed in 2 reviews of Don Sparkman's book in with my reviews. Many Thanks, Roz Goldfarb
It is the best book on graphical design that I have read.......2000-09-07
THIS IS AN IMPERFECT ENGLISH TRANSLATION OF AN EARLIER REVIEW OF THIS BOOK (TRANSLATED BY BABELFISH, then from Babelfish):
I had the opportunity to read this book while studying the field of graphic design, and it seems to me that it is an excellent book. Anyone interested in graphic design should read it. Personally, I recommend this book to all aspiring designers, since it will not only help them open doors at the firms they are interested in working at, but also in finishing up their studies in their field. It is a book that really teaches to us to be graphic designers and not just in name. I hope that you enjoy this book as much as I did...
Es el mejor libro para diseñadores que he leído.......1999-03-09
Tuve la oportunidad de leer este libro mientras estudio la carrera de diseño gráfico, y me parece que es un excelente libro, que todos los interesados en el área del diseño gráfico deberían de leerlo, personalmente recomiendo este libro como parte de la formación de todos los aspirantes a diseñadores, ya que este les ayudará y tal vez les abra las puertas de muchas organizaciones en las que les interese laborar, ya sea durante sus estudio o al finalizar la carrera. Es un libro que realmente nos enseña a ser diseñadores gráficos y no quedarnos tan sólo con el titulo en la mano, nos enseña a pensar como el patrón, que quiere y que espera de nosotros. Espero que disfruten este libro tanto como yo lo disfrute...
Atte.
Una aspirante a diseñador gráfico
Books:
- Still Life: A History
- The Bible of Illuminated Letters: A Treasury of Decorative Calligraphy (Quarto Book)
- The Big Book of New Design Ideas (Big Book (Collins Design))
- The Book of Kells: An Illustrated Introduction to the Manuscript in Trinity College Dublin
- The Book of Kells: Selected Plates in Full Color
- The C Programming Language (2nd Edition)
- The Chinese Brush Painting Bible: Over 200 Motifs With Step-by-Step Illustrated Instructions
- The Complete Calvin and Hobbes (Calvin & Hobbes)
- The Curiously Sinister Art of Jim Flora
- The Little Book of Common Sense Investing: The Only Way to Guarantee Your Fair Share of Stock Market Returns (Little Book Big Profits)
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