Design Business Review
April 13th, 2009Have you ever wanted to learn more about the business side of the design industry? Well this new print-on-demand publication by Fwis will help you do just that. Design Business Review gives business advice and will teach you how to get a job, win clients, and survive the recession. A valuable resource for those new to the industry and seasoned vets.
The first issue features an interview with Michael Beirut and an article by Dress Code. You can purchase it from Lulu for $13.50.
Duane King
I can’t wait to read this magazine. Chris and the folks at Fwis seem to be onto something special here.
Keenan Cummings
Thanks for putting this up here! I am part of the team the worked on DBR, and one of the major reasons we wanted to put this out there was that we perceived — from our won experience and talking to other designers — that there was a general nonchalance and lack of education when it came to the business end of design. It seems to be an unspoken rule that it is something you pick up along the way, and all you really hear as a younger designer is that clients suck and designers are an oppressed profession. It’s a huge crutch, as learning how to handle your business (literally) is what will enable you to do your best work. Otherwise you end up doing a lot of great work that never makes it past your portfolio.
It’s a learning process for us to interview some of the long-standing pros and get their advice. And we really appreciate feedback from the community. Anyone out there have their copy yet? What about your design-business education? Where did you get it and was it enough?
Hope DBR is a worthy supplement!
Sidney Blank
After seeing this post I ordered my copy a few days ago. Going from a graduate of architecture to a freelance graphic designer to running a communication design studio over the last 7 years slowly turned the dial from designer to business person on my settings. I keep fiddling with the dial as I find pleasure in both. Two of my favorite books in my design library are “How to be a graphic designer without loosing your soul” and “Talent is not enough: Business Secrets for designers”. I’m very much looking forward to the read.
Sidney Blank
My copy of DBR arrived via UPS yesterday and I read it cover to cover on the subway between meetings and at home before dozing off. It’s easy to inhale. I’m pretty upbeat about it for two reasons. One, it’s a great example of getting ideas to market quickly without upfront printing costs (the book is printed on demand via Lulu). Two, I think it’s the right format to spark a conversation. I want more depth in the content but since this is the start of a possibly regular publication there’s plenty of room for improvement.
Duane King
Agreed Sidney. I thought it was a terrific read. I could deal with more in-depth content as well but I was impressed by the effort within this inaugural issue. I want more! I’m charged up and excited from reading it…
Sidney Blank
Yes, charged up is how it left me too. On that note I’ve been charged up the last couple of weeks. It’s not the most obvious time to be confident but somehow I think there are some great things happening. A little bit of extra time spent reaching out and getting in touch with people is certainly paying off as far as good conversations go.
Keenan Cummings
There is a lot of talk going around about this idea. Now is the BEST time to start a company, grow your business, look for new partners to collaborate with. Everyone is becoming more flexible as schedules change and routines are disrupted.