How To Be a Graphic Designer Without Losing Your Soul (Paperback)

~ (Author) "I love being a designer..." (more)
Key Phrases: New York, Neville Brody, Design Week (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A no-holds-barred manual for being a graphic designer . . . a refreshing take on the populated design book genre, sure to help even the most seasoned professional." --Step Inside Design, November/December 2005

"A sort of career manual guide for young graphic designers who want to earn a living by doing expressive and meaningful work but want to avoid becoming a hired drone working on soulless projects." --Lurzers International Archive, December 2005/January 2006

"How to be a graphic designer, without loosing your soul, provoked me to think about the nature of the soul." -- Milton Glaser --Print, February, 2006

"I love a book by Adrian Shaughnessy called How to Be a Graphic Designer: Without Loosing Your Soul " -- Mark Stringer --Computer Arts, June, 2008

"If Adrian Shaughnessy hasn't already started a 'Without Losing Your Soul' franchise of 'How To' books, he should consider it. His likable and generous voice guides young designers toward civility and integrity in their approach to a life in design." --Communication Arts, November, 2005

"More than seduction by color. The text easily appeals to all of lifes types who might crack its binding: the student crowd who have spent four years learning how to learn; those weighing the decision to go in-house or freelance; the seasoned designer who wants to set up his or her own studio... " -- Lisa Ryers --San Francisco Bay Guardian, January, 2006

"Quick read, great insight." -- Craig Brimm --Graphic Design USA, January, 2006

"This practical and philosophical how-to offers less fill-in-the-blanks advice than wisdom learned in the field. . . . 'Designers have an unwritten duty to pass on their experience and give support to the next generation of designers,' Shaughnessy writes. You could say that he does his part with this invaluable guide." --CMYK, June, 2006

"Tips for young creatives on how to avoid turning into a dreary design drone." --How, February, 2006

His likable and generous voice guides young designers toward civility and integrity in their approach to a life in design. -- Communication Arts, November 23, 2005

Review

Graphic designers love to talk about sources of inspiration, but less willing to discuss the basics on location work, pricing, and how to handle irate or non-paying clients - so it's essential that any graphic designer operating independently have this practical reference.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Princeton Architectural Press (September 22, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1568985592
• ISBN-13: 978-1568985596
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #15,161 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not just for graphic designers, must read for all design students, May 19, 2006

By	Y. Shimizu (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

If you are in commercial art field, regardless whether you are in graphic design or not, you must read this book. It tell you everything you wish your design school teachers had told you about the business of being a commercial artist. As an art school instructor myself, I made this book into a recommended reading material for my graduating illustration majors. Just cross the words "design" in this book and write over "illustration" (or animation, advertising, or whichever commercial art occupation), and more than 95% of it works. It is because this book does not teach you the tricks and gimmicks, but teaches you the philosophy of the business of being a commercial artist.

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential that any graphic designer operating independently have this practical reference, July 9, 2006

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

Graphic designers love to talk about sources of inspiration, but less willing to discuss the basics on locating work, pricing, and how to handle irate or non-paying clients - so it's essential that any graphic designer operating independently have this practical reference. It's one thing to be creative; it's another to manage its business needs. How To Be A Graphic Designer Without Losing Your Soul provides tested strategies for setting up, running and promoting a studio - and working with clients and their common problems.

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What they don't teach you in school, February 25, 2006

By	Ben Wexlar (San Francisco, CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Anyone entering into the field of graphic design, either coming out of school or embarking on a career solo, should read this book. It doesn't mess with what the best typefaces are, or any software tricks. Instead, it lets you in on how designers think, and how to be successful in your endeavors. A foreward written by Sagmeister himself, along with interviews with other "rock star" designers, make this book simply amazing.