365 Habits of Successful Graphic Designers: Insider Secrets from Top Designers on Working Smart and Staying Creative

Laurel Saville · Joshua Berger · Steve Gordon Jr. · Sarah Dougher

Nov 2011 · Rockport Publishers

About this ebook

DIVIn need of advice? Just want to sound off? Opening this volume is like grabbing lunch with a fellow designer to commiserate or celebrate and to learn the ins and outs of design. Good habits are found in every part of the design process, from promoting yourself well in order to land the client, to working with that client, to achieving the desired results on press.365 Habits of Successful Graphic Designers reveals solutions from a wide range of freelance designers whose years of experience have helped them find not only the most creative solutions for their clients' design needs, but also the most successful solutions. With a rich compilation of material from previous publications by the authors, this book also focuses on the daily habits that inspire these designers to stay creative and business strategies to be successful when working on your own.In its pages, noteworthy designers, both past and present, working in fields ranging from graphic design, fashion, architecture, typography, and industrial design sound off on every topic, ranging from deadlines, inspiration, competition, rules, respect, education, and handling criticism-all with a certain amount of irreverence. Their thoughts are boiled down into succinct, quotable quotes and one-liners that exemplify their character and demonstrate their philosophy on the world around them. Enjoy reading thought bites from everyone from Art Chantry, Margo Chase, Ed Fella, John C. Jay, Hideki Nakajima, Stefan Sagmeister, and Rudy VanderLans. The insights of these top designers will help guide other designers in both approach and execution of designs that succeed for their clients./div

About the author

Steve Gordon Jr. has experience ranging from Fortune 1000 in-house design at internationally recognized Fortune 1000 companies, agency, and studio work to work as an independent designer and creative consultant. He frequently lectures on how small studios/freelance designers can stay competitive in the design field at conferences such as the HOW Conference.

Joshua Berger is a founder and creative director of Plazm. Berger received the Gold Medal at the Leipzig Bookfair for his collaboration with John C. Jay on the book Soul of the Game. His most recent projects include the art direction and design of ESPN's Ultimate Highlight Reel and development of the web site www.anti-war.us, dedicated to distribution of anti-war graphics to activists globally.

Laurel Saville is a freelance writer whose essays, feature pieces, and short stories have been featured in Step Inside Design magazine, House Beautiful Home Remodeling, and Decorating, Seven Days, and Ellipses. She lives in Albany, New York. www.laurelsaville.com

Sarah Dougher is a composer, writer, musician and educator living in Portland, Oregon. Sarah teaches at Portland State University in the Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies department, and her academic interests focus around gender and popular music, and issues related to homeless youth and food security.