The Streetwise Guide to Freelance Design and Illustration [Paperback]

Theo Stephan Williams (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1998

The Streetwise Guide to Freelance Design and Illustration will give you the business smarts and the confidence you need to start and maintain a thriving career. This book guides you through every step, from determining whether you're cut out for the freelance life to hiring an accountant to help you keep track of your finances. Throughout the book, interviews with designers and illustrators who are already out there detail the realities of full-time freelancing. They also offer answers to those sometimes-tricky questions - like how much pro-bono work should you do? And should you have a self-promotion piece? Plus, you'll find checklists and valuable tips for improving your communication skill, using your time effectively, avoiding procrastination and much more.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: North Light Books; 1st edition (February 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0891348018
• ISBN-13: 978-0891348016
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,854,952 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars There is nothing "streetwise"; just basic information, October 12, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Streetwise Guide to Freelance Design and Illustration (Paperback)

For a book on design and illustration, this book does not set a good example. The book design is bland and the information within is general. It seems that the author did not have enough information to write about and the book mainly consists of her personal history as a designer. This book is adequate for the novice who just wants the basics. But for those interested in a in-depth look at freelance illustration, well-designed with many highly-regarded illustrators portrayed inside, I suggest "The Business of Illustration" by Heller/Fernandes.

16 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Every aspiring freelance artist should read this book, July 14, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Streetwise Guide to Freelance Design and Illustration (Paperback)

As I am considering starting my own freelance illustration career, I found this book to be very informative. Every aspect of what you can expect to encounter in the freelance business is covered -- from dealing with people, to taxes, to how to market yourself. Lots of good tips.

Theo Stephan Williams writes in a style that is not only informative, but interesting and entertaining as well. And also encouraging, which I found to be uplifting, as the prospect of freelancing is a bit intimidating. She also includes other "real world" experiences besides her own, with interviews from several successful freelancers.

This book may not cover everything you want to know, but it is a great way to get started in your own business of freelance design or illustration.

6 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars General help, June 6, 2000

By 

Ken Zirkel "Kickstand" (Somewhere in New England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Streetwise Guide to Freelance Design and Illustration (Paperback)

I found this book a little too general, not specific enough, to cover the different approaches possible for a freelance designer in NYC. Didn't cover the world of placement agencies, for example.

Much of the info was for illustrators, it seemed.