RANTS AND RAVES
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 >
Let’s Make A Deal!!!
Jun 3rd
The problem with haggling is that it typically comes back to you…but not in a good way.
Firstly, when you haggle with a client on the front end, you know that this client is “cheap.” Meaning they want to spend the least amount of money possible. This can be a hassle down the road when you are doing printing. They want to use the cheapest printer, and don’t wanna do ANY add-ons that will help make the project better. If you’re doing business cards for this person, expect to probably send them off to some internet printer that will just throw together some sort of digital card on a standard stock.
Second reason you don’t want to cut a deal is if they do pass you along to another client, they’ll pass along the fact that “they’re cheap” which isn’t a precedent you want to start. When you get into bed with a cheap client, it’s tough to get out. My advice would be to just get out.
When it’s tight outside, you’re bound to get a few people that want to cut a deal with you, but BE CAREFUL.
Want a job? Get in line!
Apr 1st
Have you looked for a new job lately? It’s pretty bad out there. There aren’t many jobs available, and the ones that are available aren’t very good. Many of the jobs are asking for so many different skill sets, it’s tough to even get in the door. Maybe I missed something, but a graphic designer isn’t also a programmer, animator, photographer, videographer, and a sandwich artist. 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.
Stop Whoring Yourself
Jan 28th
It’s tough out there! I know that. But the design community has recently been cannibalizing itself. We set the fair market price for design work, and we are somewhat responsible for “lowering” the standards for design.
There are a number of websites out there that have cause the design community to force us to become sharks. Websites like 99designs and elance make a mockery of good design.
If you’re not familiar with 99designs here is how it works. A client posts a project on the website. The client posts the needs for the project as well as their budget. Designers are able to posts their designs on the site, and the client chooses which logo or design they like best. The winning designer gets the money, and the rest don’t. More >
What’s the worst thing you ever worked on?
Jan 13th
We’ve all done it. We’ve delivered a project that you just want to pretend like you never did! I know I have at least. I’ll share mine first….y’all tell me about yours too though. Cause this is embarrasing if it’s just me.
A couple of years ago, I had some guy call me up about creating a website for a dog / cat supply company. I had just gotten a dog, and I forget how we met, but he said he could train my dog, if I could do a banner on his website.
Internship?
Jan 10th
What are your thoughts on interning? Should you get paid? Should companies require you intern there before hiring you?
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