Comments on: Does being a starving graphic artist suck?

By: marco

marco — Sun, 16 Jan 2011 21:46:28 +0000

Designers dont have the leverage to make a decent living anymore. Everyone and their mother is a designer. This occupation is for the young only. Its a cool thing to be a designer while your in a band or something like that but dont kid yourself, all people have a shelf life in this industry similar to an NFL player. Have fun while you can and dont spent your hard earned beer money on fantasy strategy books like this one.

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Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:08:11 +0000

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By: Ted Rex

Ted Rex — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:38:03 +0000

Great article. I posted a link to it in my daily design blog:
http://designthoughtfortheday.blogspot.com/

Ted

By: Friday Fix Oct 19 - 23

Friday Fix Oct 19 - 23 — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 13:04:46 +0000

[...] Australian freelancer/blogger Jacob Cass just recently reviewed them as well. Here what he had to say about the books. [...]

By: Tricia

Tricia — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 11:59:16 +0000

Thanks for the links to these great resources, Jacob. I just invested a few dollars and have downloaded both these books. Sure I would have preferred the printed version but why wait until Christmas – I need help now! I haven’t had chance to read much as yet,only got them a few hours ago.So far I’ve had a few helpful emails from Jeremy and I’ve learned a couple of really good strategies that I am sure are going to help. Such as, how to deal with the ongoing revision process. Jeremy’s advice seems to be the most pro-active advice I’ve had to date. I’m really thrilled with my purchase and to top it off – the e books didn’t cost very much at all. So thanks again for the recommendation

By: Autonomy

Autonomy — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 15:37:03 +0000

Thanks for suggesting the book Verbal Kung Fu For Freelancers!

By: Lisa Raymond

Lisa Raymond — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 03:54:54 +0000

Gee, we can only ask about one?? There are many frustrating points I’ve stumbled across during my freelance adventure. I would definitely advise anyone who is still in a job to try and pick up some freelance work along the way – never hurts your portfolio and keeps you in the know of how it works out here so there’s no surprises (kind of a test drive for those thinking about making the jump).

I think the biggest stumbling block I’ve come across is myself, actually. I’m not a business major, and while I’ve learned a great deal this past year I know I have more to learn in the coming years, but getting around myself and my own doubts has been the hardest: where to find work, how to market, what networking groups/functions to attend, what groups are good vs. “money-suckers”, whether or not to take on “production work” for backlog, how to not come across as desperate – that and more. I’m better at remembering that I won’t get every bid, and if I did there may be something seriously wrong with my pricing.

I love graphic design! It’s like looking at a new puzzle with every client’s challenge, and trying to figure out how many ways I can put it back together without breaking it, and finding the one way to make it POP! I love the creative more than I enjoy the production, I wish I could find more clients like that. Building a business takes time, I do understand that – guess I’m way too impatient! :D

I know I’m late, but I would appreciate your input, Jacob. Did you ever have self-doubts as you started your journey? How did you manage to overcome them? Thanks!

By: Carson Shold

Carson Shold — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 00:46:41 +0000

Wow, that sounds like an incredible book.

I’ve had a few issues with not knowing how to respond to clients within the last week alone, one including an IE6 issue. I ended up dealing with it pretty well, you can see what I wrote here – http://wordsoftheweb.com/2009/10/how-to-deal-with-ie6/.

I’ll definitely have to look into the Verbal Kung Fu book as that seems like it’s exactly what I need.

Thanks

By: Jaz

Jaz — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 01:33:51 +0000

Woooo cheers guys! I’m stoked as :)

By: Zita

Zita — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 19:29:38 +0000

I have to agree with Andrew B. It is getting harder and harder to get appreciation (thus a fair rate) for design work. Folks seem to think that owning a copy of Photoshop makes them a designer.

By: Matt

Matt — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 19:03:16 +0000

I have the most trouble with getting more clients. What is the best way to get your name out there?

By: Jaz

Jaz — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 05:52:02 +0000

these books look really good :) My biggest challenge is selling myself – convincing clients that I can do the job – and convincing them that they do need a vector logo and that gif from word clip art is not going to cut it. I know I can do it, but I have a hard time explaining it to clients… hopefully there is a neat explanation in one of those books.

By: Donna Vitan

Donna Vitan — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 08:11:23 +0000

These books look like a great resource for helping out with my freelance career. I’ve found a few things to be difficult: pricing, project managing and most of all the act of communicating with the client. I’m a bit shy and talking/meeting with clients has been one of the hardest things that I do and have yet to fully be comfortable doing with clients.

However, I do understand the value and benefit of having a strong client relationship! I hope to just continue improving in that regard.

By: Jessica M

Jessica M — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 13:49:45 +0000

Aside from charging the heck out of someone, what is the best way to keep revisions to a minimum? Sometimes it is ridiculous the amount of revisions this person might go through.

By: Kevin

Kevin — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 11:23:50 +0000

The worst part by far is the pricing, its awkward and hard to judge each client unless you have seen their car, house, and paychecks.

By: Michela Cappelli

Michela Cappelli — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 10:22:16 +0000

Hi Jacob, Hi Jeremy.
I don’t know if it can give some idea to talk about in a book or in an article, but sometimes I find really, really excruciating to define when a job is “finished”.
It could happen because the client continues to ask for little enhancements that “oh, it will take a couple of minutes to you!” or because he thinks it is a smart way to delay the payment time, but sometimes a project it really risks to end unpaid!!
It’s a great pain to me!

Thanks for listening,
Michela

By: Irene W

Irene W — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 08:37:31 +0000

CONVINCING CLIENT YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING !!!

The most frustrating part about design is having clients who make about 50 changes. The end product being one that you just don’t wanna look at anymore!! Your only consolation is you are getting paid for it.

By: Tommy Hood

Tommy Hood — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 05:43:51 +0000

WOW! I can’t believe how many folks out there have trouble with pricing. Yeah, it can be difficult, but there are ways to figure it out that aren’t so tough. Keep a log of your hours on all of your projects. That way when a similar project comes along, you’ll know what to estimate the cost for the client at. Don’t be afraid to charge what you are worth. While you don’t want to overcharge (you’ll know if you are overcharging) you don’t want to hurt your business or others by undercharging. If you charge too little it brings the price down for all of us starving designers.

My biggest question is …

“How can I most effectively market myself to get new clients and keep work coming in from established clients?”

By: Andrew B

Andrew B — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 00:04:03 +0000

I’ve always struggled with how to establish your going rate when there are so many people who undervalue design work. I love helping out those who have a limited budget, but how do you convince people of the value of design (and not just my design, design in general?)

By: Web Design Singapore

Web Design Singapore — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 23:08:44 +0000

haha starving artist. that caught my eye. from what i pesonally feel. nowadays, anyone who is determined to pursue design can learn his way to being an expert with all the information on the internet.

this results in supply and of course a downward pressure in prices.

as such, it pretty lies more on relationship building with the clients.

my 2 cents

By: Cory W.

Cory W. — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 20:34:11 +0000

I honestly find that getting the proper resources from clients tends to be the area where I struggle the most. I try to be as specific as possible, but when I finally receive material, its usually incomplete or completely different than what I asked for. How can I ensure I’ll receive what I ask for—with out talking down to clients—or at least not seem like I’m badgering them when I come back asking for the right stuff? Thanks!

By: David

David — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 16:16:27 +0000

I was reading your article and was thinking to myself how I was going to show these books to my girlfriend so she knows what’s on my wish list for Christmas ;) but then I saw that there is a chance to WIN these books so my entry is below:

The most troubling area for me while I freelance is getting some sort of acknowledgment. You might think it’s silly, but what annoys me more than anything else is sometimes I don’t know if the receiving end of my message purposely ignored me, was not real potential, or was too busy to respond?

My question is: Is that normal? I used to doubt myself and think that my ‘portfolio’ was laughable in their eyes and didn’t think I was worth even responding to. Other times I think maybe my message/e-mail got lost in the process.

I would just like to know if that’s normal behavior?

By: Scott

Scott — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 14:05:09 +0000

Hi jacob,

My biggest problem is pricing as well. I don’t want to charge too much but I also don’t want to charge less than I’m worth. It’s tough getting a good answer to this.

By: Lauren

Lauren — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 11:09:54 +0000

Hi Jacob!

Thanks for pointing out these books; they both sound very helpful!

I think the biggist thing I find most troublesome is how to tell a client ‘no’ when they are convinced if I just make a couple of small changes to the logo/business card/flyer I’ve just spent hours desigining will end in something they like. Nine times out of ten it is something that destroys the design, and ends up in a finsihed work I hate!

How do I tell a client that I am the expert and to stop interfering without offending them?

By: Josh Bezdek

Josh Bezdek — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 05:24:33 +0000

Pricing is tough, I’ve always felt that my rate was my rate I will not lower it. This is good for the integrity of the design profession. I hate it when a potential client tells me my rate is too high because other designers will work for a fraction of the cost. What are the standard rates out there for web design, print design, web development?

By: Alex

Alex — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 04:08:48 +0000

Hi. Firstly I want to say the review is pretty good, I like.

Now about the freelancing thing. The most troublesome is when and whether should I trust THAT client. I’m usually a nice guy, and I tend to let my clients know it’s not just the money I’m after, but also interested in making a good job so I sometime tend to ask for money later, which is a big mistake as I have been scammed a couple of times before. Other than that, it’s sometime pricing too, but everybody have difficulties with that considering the fact that some people live in some parts of the world where Â£10 means something, however I usually tend to ask what their budget is, and actually consider it.

Any tips?
Alex

By: Charles

Charles — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 03:26:09 +0000

Well, like everyone pricing has been my problem from the start, I never know how much with printing and time plus over project it always seems to be different. Also would like to know how to get much business, I can do ad and my clients like my work, the website is nice and word of mouth does a lot but I need more business more often. I also would like to know how to spot project or clients that I should not do cause right now I take whatever comes in my “door” and sometimes I wish I would have been able to spot a so-called bad client. I would also know if it is wise to stay a freelancer or go to work for someone or even start my over design firm. I know it is a lot of questions but I would love to read these book and figure out all of my what ifs. Thank for the chance from a starving graphic artist.

By: Eden

Eden — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 03:14:52 +0000

I’d love more information on how to get business when you’re just starting out and in a bad economy. Thanks!!

By: John

John — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 02:23:11 +0000

Pricing, Pricing, Pricing, oh and scope creep.

By: Yung Tsai

Yung Tsai — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 02:11:55 +0000

Pricing and when to say no. There were lots of times when I needed money but the price or budget the client was asking was way too low.