Published to instant acclaim in 2005, our best selling How to Be a Graphic Designer without Losing Your Soul has become a trusted resource for graphic designers around the world, combining practical advice with philosophical guidance to help young professionals embark on their careers. This new, expanded edition brings this essential text up to date with new chapters on professional skills, the creative process, and global trends that include social responsibility, ethics, and the rise of digital culture. How to Be a Graphic Designer offers clear, concise guidance along with focused, no-nonsense strategies for setting up, running, and promoting a studio; finding work; and collaborating with clients. The book also includes inspiring new interviews with leading designers, including Jonathan Barnbrook, Sara De Bondt, Stephen Doyle, Ben Drury, Paul Sahre, Dmitri Siegel, Sophie Thomas, and Magnus Vol Mathiassen.
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Editorial Reviews
Review
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
"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
"Quick read, great insight." -- Craig Brimm --Graphic Design USA, January, 2006
"Tips for young creatives on how to avoid turning into a dreary design drone." --How, 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
"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
"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
"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
"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
"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 --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
"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
"Quick read, great insight." -- Craig Brimm --Graphic Design USA, January, 2006
"Tips for young creatives on how to avoid turning into a dreary design drone." --How, 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
"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
"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
"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
"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
"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 --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
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.
--This text refers to an alternate
Paperback
edition.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
46 of 49 people found the following review helpful
By Y. Shimizu
Format:Paperback
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.
20 of 22 people found the following review helpful
By Ben Wexlar
Format:Paperback
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.
23 of 27 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
This new, expanded edition provides new chapters on professional skills, global trends in design, and more
July 9, 2006
Format:Paperback
How to Be a Graphic Designer Without Losing Your Soul first appeared in 2005 to instant acclaim and has since become a basic resource for graphic designers, blending business philosophy with techniques geared to help young professionals hone their skills. This new, expanded edition provides new chapters on professional skills, global trends in design, and more.
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful
By Patterson
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I got this book with high hopes, since it came highly recommended by authors that I respect and love, as well as the Amazon community of reviewers. Also I can relate to the title ;) Unfortunately, I felt this book was only so-so; a few good points and insider chuckles, but overall, the author was very vague and drawn-out in his advice.
And quite honestly, I disagreed with much of what he was encouraging others to do, especially if the point was NOT to lose your soul!
For example, he makes the case of making your clients happy even if what they want is horrible design--at least that's how I took it. Granted, there's a fine line between satisfying your clients and being a commodity. I personally am trying to side more with David Airey's (Logo Design Love, excellent book!) philosophy--you're the expert, don't sell your soul and be a doormat. Which, in my opinion, this book was more or less failed to do, despite the title.
And quite honestly, I disagreed with much of what he was encouraging others to do, especially if the point was NOT to lose your soul!
For example, he makes the case of making your clients happy even if what they want is horrible design--at least that's how I took it. Granted, there's a fine line between satisfying your clients and being a commodity. I personally am trying to side more with David Airey's (Logo Design Love, excellent book!) philosophy--you're the expert, don't sell your soul and be a doormat. Which, in my opinion, this book was more or less failed to do, despite the title.
12 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
For a book on the practice of design for designers, I thought it was very badly designed. For a start, the design work examples splattered around the book have no relevance to the text, and seem to serve only to fill in the empty spaces.
The printing is inconsistent. Headings and notes are printed in a light blue, which on some pages are so light that they are difficult to read.
The text (from what I read) contains spelling/grammatical errors such as:
- Bean counting is a MAYOR key to success of...
- ...interviews... AS AN OPPORTUNITIES to study the...
- ...IT people, bank MANGERS, tax officials...
For a book published in the English-speaking world, I expect better English than that!
If you can overlook the above-mentioned shortfalls, I think this is a very useful book. It covers most everything a budding designer needs to know (though not in great detail), and has a LOT of useful information for someone starting out as a designer.
(Being a freelancer just starting out on my career, I would have liked some information on how to bill clients, which this book does not contain. But then, I guess I can't expect a single book to contain EVERYTHING I need to know!)
The printing is inconsistent. Headings and notes are printed in a light blue, which on some pages are so light that they are difficult to read.
The text (from what I read) contains spelling/grammatical errors such as:
- Bean counting is a MAYOR key to success of...
- ...interviews... AS AN OPPORTUNITIES to study the...
- ...IT people, bank MANGERS, tax officials...
For a book published in the English-speaking world, I expect better English than that!
If you can overlook the above-mentioned shortfalls, I think this is a very useful book. It covers most everything a budding designer needs to know (though not in great detail), and has a LOT of useful information for someone starting out as a designer.
(Being a freelancer just starting out on my career, I would have liked some information on how to bill clients, which this book does not contain. But then, I guess I can't expect a single book to contain EVERYTHING I need to know!)
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By D. Giang
Format:Paperback
This may not be a good book for those who have been in the field for a while. What this book is good for is, students and people who are barely starting their art career. Even though it is not set in a traditional grid, or in serifed font, this book was probably the easiest read I've ever had. Either its because it doesnt use a lot of jargon, or its just interesting. I'm a student, alot of the stuff mentioned in this book is so well put together and so relevant and so logical.
so if you're a designer, who has a job, and is happy, then dont bother.
but if you're a student or upcoming designer who just wants a leg up on your competition, then this is the best book I can recommend.
so if you're a designer, who has a job, and is happy, then dont bother.
but if you're a student or upcoming designer who just wants a leg up on your competition, then this is the best book I can recommend.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By C. Purcell
Format:Paperback
Adrian Shaughnessy's How To Be a Graphic Designer Without Losing Your Soul is chock full of useful information about self promotion, getting clients, leaving clients, and all of the practical details of design that no-one ever seems to talk about.
I love the design of the book. It has enough whitespace and variation that one can read it through without finding the layout monotonous and it is constructed so one can read a chapter or a section of a chapter, piece by piece, whenever you have a free moment.
Shaughnessy honestly covers the complications of working for a studio or going freelance and includes a number of voices of famous, working designers, many of which have their own take on each issue. Some fall wholeheartedly in the camp that every designer needs to spend a few years at a show working with other designers before going freelance. Others talk about how they never trained formally in school or worked for a design shop. They simply followed their passion and learned through experience, creating an impressive body of work on their own.
I was repeatedly struck with the clear, honest tone that the book is written in. I have to ask around through a range of contacts to get a clear idea of how to calculate rates, or to ask what sort of things I should have in mind before I take the step of renting office space, or even how potential clients tend to view promotional work versus work done for a paying client. No-one gives answers that are as well reasoned and understandable as the author.
I really do not know how to describe this book other than to say that everyone who works in or is thinking about working in graphic design should read this book.... Read more ›
I love the design of the book. It has enough whitespace and variation that one can read it through without finding the layout monotonous and it is constructed so one can read a chapter or a section of a chapter, piece by piece, whenever you have a free moment.
Shaughnessy honestly covers the complications of working for a studio or going freelance and includes a number of voices of famous, working designers, many of which have their own take on each issue. Some fall wholeheartedly in the camp that every designer needs to spend a few years at a show working with other designers before going freelance. Others talk about how they never trained formally in school or worked for a design shop. They simply followed their passion and learned through experience, creating an impressive body of work on their own.
I was repeatedly struck with the clear, honest tone that the book is written in. I have to ask around through a range of contacts to get a clear idea of how to calculate rates, or to ask what sort of things I should have in mind before I take the step of renting office space, or even how potential clients tend to view promotional work versus work done for a paying client. No-one gives answers that are as well reasoned and understandable as the author.
I really do not know how to describe this book other than to say that everyone who works in or is thinking about working in graphic design should read this book.... Read more ›
Most Recent Customer Reviews
1.0 out of 5 stars
It's crap
I once went to a magical island named pusher plate. Eat me kindle for making me review a book I have read yet.
Published 3 months ago by Les Argotiers
5.0 out of 5 stars
Thoughtful look at being a good designer and human being
I usually hate "business" books and those that deal with particular industries, as I often find them too vague and long-winded. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Felix Desroches
4.0 out of 5 stars
a lot of GREAT info
The book is long, the pages are filled with too many words which makes it hard to read, but IT'S SO GOOD because this book has everything you need to get out there and start... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Haley King
3.0 out of 5 stars
Enjoyable read, but I'm not sure of its practical use.
The book is certainly pleasant to read, sharing many insider information, nuggets of wisdom from many years of experience in the field, and interesting stories, but I found it of... Read more
Published 8 months ago by edgepixel
5.0 out of 5 stars
Must read
This is book is a classic. It was very good when it came out years ago and it is simply a must today with this expanded edition. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Goffredo Puccetti
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great guide, especially for students and newbies
I had to buy this book for class and I'm so glad I did. Definitely get the new version! (Most of the old one is available on google books for free anyway... Read more
Published 19 months ago by C. Lines
5.0 out of 5 stars
Years of experience packed into a book
This book answers every question a young designer has burning in their mind. Everything design school didn't teach you about the real world of design and how the business works is... Read more
Published 21 months ago by Josh Ryan
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good enough to read, nothing too fresh
I found this book a good enough read for people who are intrigued by the title, but don't expect any personal revelations after reading this book
Things I liked:... Read more
Things I liked:... Read more
Published on November 30, 2010 by J. Chen
5.0 out of 5 stars
All designers must read it
A good compendium of techniques about how to deal with your designer's every day life 'without losing your soul'
Published on October 25, 2010 by Juanjo
5.0 out of 5 stars
The truth about what it takes
I bought the book when I was in junior college; the writting is down-to-earth and what you need to hear. Plus there are other Desginers who add their advice.
Published on June 27, 2010 by Carey Beck
