DesignerWithGun
I've been a designer for nearly a decade. In this time, I've worked as a designer, run a company, been a freelancer, done sales, managed projects, and just about anything else that's related to design. I've done just about everything in the design world, everything from print to web and almost everthing in between. I started this blog as a platform for me to teach other designers about things that I've learned over the years.
Homepage: http://www.designerswitguns.com
Yahoo Messenger: bigmur72
AIM: bigmur72
Posts by DesignerWithGun
Checklist to success.
Jun 8th
How many of us have just pooped out a project to get it over with? You’re tired of your client, you’re tired of the project and you just want to get it off your plate. Well, it’s less about the project and more about how the project has been managed.
Here is a quick list of things you can do to ensure your quality won’t get sidetracked and you begin to hate it. More >
Big Fish…Small Pond.
Jun 8th
There are few things that I think that are cooler than Mutton Chops. Men that carry large hooks are a close second, but enormous old fish are up there as well. This photo covers my bases pretty well. Sorry, I got off track.
The question at hand here is this. Do you want to be a big fish in a small pond, or a little fish in a big pond? More >
Picky Clients: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly.
Jun 8th
We’ve all had one before. The client that takes too much control of a project and squeezes the life out of it. This is a quick guide as to how to deal with them, and how to make, what can be a nightmare into a dream. More >
To: Bonarroo camera person.
Jun 7th
I spend a lot of time on the internet. I’ve actually almost finished it. It’s good, it just falls off towards the end. Anyway, back to my point. I spend a lot of time on the internet. In doing this, I’ve come across a TON of bogus deals for designers and photographers. A few years ago, there was this program I went to that offered a free lunch. FUCK YEA I want a free lunch! I go, and it starts talking about schemes to make it big in online sales. Long story short, you pay them a few thousand bucks and they’ll give you a shopping cart ready to start making you millions! More >
Better learn to juggle!
Apr 20th
If we are in the same boat, you work either completely on your own, or a couple of people that you rely on to do certain tasks. Being able to juggle a number of project, who’s doing what, who’s been billed, who’s paid, and so on, is a lot to worry about. Not to mention the fact that while you’re doing ALL of this, you still have to find new projects. It’s VERY easy to let something fall through the cracks.
So what are some good ways to stay organized and on top of things? I have a number of little tricks that I use to help me manage my business without going insane. More >
How Many Hats Do You Wear?
Mar 25th
Alright, so I’ve been doing the job search thing for a bit now….to call it frustrating is a HUGE understatement. But I’m starting to see a pretty big issue here. For one, there are almost no design job, secondly, the jobs that are out there want you to be able to do a dozen different things. So instead of a well written, insightful post, today, I’m going to asking you a question. (it’s not like any of these are well written anyway, notice my misuse of commas?)
So, the question, what do you think are acceptable skills sets for an employer to ask you for. Assuming that this is a graphic designer job, is it ok for them to want you to be able to do the following?
Copywriting
Proof Reading
Programming
Event Planning
Marketing
Photography
Is there something I’ve left out? Let me know.
Decline of Design – Reader feedback requested.
Mar 19th
As you may know, I’m on the job hunt. For the past year or so, I’ve been looking for a full time gig somewhere. Needless to say it’s a bit frustrating. Just the other day, I found a post for a job where they wanted someone who can design, update the website, write marketing material, photograph at events, and do the social media and SEO for their website. Oh, also, they wanted you to have a Masters….all for the low low price of $38,000 a year! Pretty disgusting.
So I ask you a question. What are some things you’ve done to beat this decline in our industry, and why is our industry particularly susceptible to this drought in the economy verses other industries?
Do you think that websites like 99 designs and other competition based websites are part of the reason for the constant “lowering of the bar” for our freelance industry? Are we cannibalizing ourselves by allowing sites like this to exist or is this just survival of the fittest? I want to know what you think.
Great Article On Swiss Style!
Feb 23rd
In college, I had a project where I had to research Josef Muller Brockman’s style, and then create a project in that style. I hadn’t ever heard of “Swiss Style” before then, but was enlightened during the process. Today, I found an absolutely amazing article on the Swiss Style’s origin, examples, and more. A great read!
We Jumped On The Band Wagon!
Feb 14th
After being pressured into doing it, I’ve started a twitter account. So you’ll now know when I eat breakfast, what I’m watching on television, or any other mundane detail of my life that doesn’t need to be shared. How’s that for a sales pitch. So follow me, and maybe I’ll return the favor.
Any tips on how to use twitter to it’s full potential would be greatly appreciated. I almost just wrote a post that said “I’m thinking about what to twitter.” I know that’s not right….oh man, I’m so lost.
Breaking Knees
Feb 14th
It’s happened to all of us at some point, we’ve done work for someone we REALLY don’t know all that well, and they disappear. So what are your options if your client won’t pay? There are a couple of things you can do to help ensure payment or partial payment. It won’t ALWAYS work, but it’s worth a shot. More >
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