The Creative Business Guide to Running a Graphic Design Business [Paperback]

Cameron S. Foote (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2004

The only complete manual for running and maintaining a design business.

Graphic design is a unique business, requiring its own distinct management style and operations agenda in order to run efficiently and maximize profitability. This is the first comprehensive business manual for graphic design firms of all sizes, providing specialized tips tailored to the specific goals and needs of design companies. Divided into four sections that treat the cornerstone concerns of every successful business--organization, marketing, personnel, and operations--the book details how each of these areas functions in the design world, and what firm principals and managers can do to optimize their efficacy. The appendices include sample business forms and documents to help put the information into practice.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Cameron S. Foote is the president of Creative Business, a Boston-based business-information resource for the design community. He is the author of The Business Side of Creativity, The Creative Business Guide to Running a Graphic Design Business and The Creative Business Guide to Marketing.

Product Details

• Paperback: 496 pages
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company (April 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0393731499
• ISBN-13: 978-0393731491
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #491,760 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant and comprehensive, August 21, 2003

By 

Alden Kroll (Seattle, WA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Creative Business Guide to Running a Graphic Design Business (Hardcover)

If you are looking for a very comprehensive book on running a graphic design company, this is for you. The book goes into details on everything from pricing to hiring, insurance, taxes, incorporation, dealing with clients, vendors and just about everything in between. It is quite a hefty book and it will take a while to get through it, but from my experience that is mostly because I keep stopping to take notes on things I want to remember.

While I find some of the other design business books I have read (and reviewed) go into more depth in specific areas, this book covers quite a range of content and manages to still go into farily great detail.

I checked this book out from the library and kept it until I started racking up the fines... then I came here and bought it.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you didn't know before... now you do!, August 2, 2004

By 

Anthony Romeo - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Creative Business Guide to Running a Graphic Design Business (Hardcover)

This is an excellent guide with lots of practical "how-to" projects and information. I promptly used my creative juices to create a website that reflects my persona, yet is professional and intuitive at the same time. It is worth every dollar you spend!
Get your name out there with all the handy tips and tricks described within.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another great guide for the wanta-be entrepreneur who seeks to have her own small consulting practice!, April 29, 2007

By 

Jeff Lippincott "JLIPPIN" (Princeton, NJ USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Creative Business Guide to Running a Graphic Design Business (Hardcover)

This book is divided into four sections: organization, personnel, marketing, and operations. It also has four appendices. I really liked this book very much. I'm a volunteer SCORE counselor who regularly counsels SCORE clients on starting their own small businesses. I highly recommend the instant book to people similarly situated to my clients since it will help them better grasp and understand what is involved in starting a business.

If you want to put together a business plan (and you should if you want to start a business), then use this book to help you by looking at the following chapters:

1. A Solid Foundation
2. Structure and Facilities
4. Organizing
9. Positioning
10. Promoting
12. Pricing Your Services
15. Financial Issues

After you prepare your business plan and have your business up and running, then you'll be able to:

14. Grow the Business
16. Personal Issues (Cash Out).

I particularly liked the Case Study #6 in Appendix 2 (Failing to Institutionalize the Company). And Appendix 3 (A Designer's Short Course on Marketing) was very well done. Chapter 10 on "Promoting" was very well done given the amount of pages devoted to it.

I was a bit disappointed with the Sample Business Plan Form included in Appendix 4. But the book is not exactly set up to cater to people trying to write a business plan. So I can't be too critical here.

This book is packed full of content regarding the business of graphic design (and small business, in general). It will be well worth your time in reading it if you have any interest in small business. 5 stars!