The Savvy Designer's Guide to Success: Ideas and Tactics for a Killer Career [Paperback]

Jeff Fisher (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 2004

From marketing and promotion to client communication, this essential guide covers everything graphic designers need to know to achieve ultimate success. The author finds answers all the tough questions with: Practical advice for establishing - and maintaining - a high profile within the design community; Personality-driven text that makes readers feel like they're getting advice from a trusted friend or peer; Timeless information that designers of all levels can use to navigate the inevitable tough spots in the industry; Straightforward strategies for tackling such tricky business issues as contracts, pricing, lawyers and accountants; In addition, there are invaluable sections on recovering from big career mistakes and giving back to the community. This is the book graphic designers have been asking for: a business guide that isn't too stuffy for creatives.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Jeff Fisher is very knowledgable in design career advice. He runs his own business, focusing on identity designs, and has received nearly 400 awards for his work. He is a frequent contributor to top industry magazines.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: How Design Books (December 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1581804806
• ISBN-13: 978-1581804805
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #963,512 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Jeff Fisher, author of "Identity Crisis!: 50 redesigns that transformed stale identities into successful brands" (HOW Books, 2007), is the Engineer of Creative Identity for the Portland-based firm Jeff Fisher LogoMotives. A 30-year design veteran, he has been honored with over 600 regional, national and international design awards and is featured in over 100 books about logos, the design business, and small business marketing. His first book, "The Savvy Designer's Guide to Success" was released in 2004 and has been reissued as a PDF on CD from HOWBookstore.com. Fisher is currently writing a new volume, with the working title of "Logo*Type", on the topic of typography in identity design.

Fisher serves on the HOW Design Conference Advisory Council, and is a past member of the HOW Magazine Editorial Advisory Board, and UCDA Designer Magazine Editorial Advisory Board. The designer also writes for HOW Magazine, other industry publications, and many webzines and blogs. In addition, Fisher is a nationally-recognized speaker, making numerous presentations each year to design organizations, design schools, universities and business groups. Graphic Design USA magazine recently named Jeff Fisher one of the design industry "People to Watch" for 2009.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Have!, January 10, 2005

By 

Danita Reynolds "Creative-Brain Extraordinaire" (Eugene, OR USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Savvy Designer's Guide to Success: Ideas and Tactics for a Killer Career (Paperback)

Jeff Fisher's book The Savvy Designer's Guide to Success: Ideas and Tactics for a Killer Career is a must have for anyone interested in or involved in the Graphic Design field.

This 192 page book is jam packed with a wealth of solid, valuable experiences from designers who have been-there and done-it.

Jeff's witty and bluntly honest writing brings you through chapters on advice about building a foundation for your career, what types of education paths to walk, getting more than your foot in the door, the do's and don'ts and saving your your rear end, communication and the why of it, presenting a professional presence, the value of your time and pricing it, working with contracts and building business support relationships, promoting and tooting your horn, recognizing when it isn't fun any more and what to do about it, and last but not least social responsibility, connecting with the community and helping those within the ranks in the graphic design field.

I highly recommend adding this book to your Graphic Design library. It certainly is a great resource that can help you create a killer career in Graphic Design. I own a good many books on Graphic Design and I have found Jeff Fisher's book one of the best I have bought!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Inspiring Read From One of the Best in the Business, January 22, 2005

By 

Dan Antonelli (Washington, NJ) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Savvy Designer's Guide to Success: Ideas and Tactics for a Killer Career (Paperback)

Jeff's book is an inspiring masterpiece for all designers seeking to elevate their game, and their business. He explores the many pitfalls to avoid, and provides concrete examples on how to be not only a better designer, but better business person as well.

Finally, a comprehensive book that explore the design business - from the perspective of a true leader in the field. Jeff really did his homework on this book -- the research is extensive - and the examples from other designers provide us with many different viewpoints on running successful design businesses.

Jeff's success in running his business is well known throughout the globe - now he shares that success with others, so that they can learn from one of the best in the field.

A must read for every independent designer.

--- Dan Antonelli

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Addition to My Design Library, December 3, 2004

By 

Sean ODWYER "Design ICU" (Kingston, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Savvy Designer's Guide to Success: Ideas and Tactics for a Killer Career (Paperback)

My copy of Jeff's book arrived today. I have work to do but I can't put it down. It's excellent.

I started just flicking through the last couple of chapters (about pricing and self promotion) and my afternoon went down in flames.

I've only read three chapters but they were worth several times the cost of the book - plus a pot of gold dust.

I'm reminded of Steven Wright's joke: I like to read books by starting in the middle because then, if I enjoy a book, there's always more.

Not only is it well written with a load of useful information, funny quotes, and input from other designers, but apparenly it's a mood enhancer too. I've been feeling kinda blech all week and now I'm feeling inspired.

Good job!