Customer Reviews

Talent Is Not Enough: Business Secrets For Designers (2nd Edition) (Voices That Matter)

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4 star:		(1)
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I've been a freelance designer for many years and have read many books and papers on the business-side of design. I have to say that Perkins' book is the most thorough, easiest-to-understand guide on the ins and outs of freelancing I've read to date. The book is a practical guide on how to meander through the process of running a design organization - whether you're a one-person shop or a full-fledged agency. This book is a must-have for the serious design professional.

This book was the answer to all my freelance questions!

How to create a freelance rate, trademarking, fixed-fee proposals, business plans, and even terms and conditions?

If you are a creative professional you owe it to yourself to get this book.

Talent is Not Enough: Business Secrets for Designers

Shel Perkins

ISBN-13 978-0-321-70202-9

It truly isn't enough to graduate from a design school anymore. Knowing for example how to navigate your business plan, devise a proposal, and understand the important legal aspects surrounding intellectual property are equally important in order to be successful in this highly-competitive industry. Shel's book bridges all aspects of the design career into one resource. It's a must-read for those starting out. The overview of what to expect and how to grow from a student intern through to owning your own design company (and building your physical space for maximum creative potential) is all here, taken in chronological order.

I found the sections focusing on design teams and hiring and working with a sales rep a refreshing read. Don't be daunted by the book's smaller-than-usual font size: it won't take long to dig in and get through the book from cover to cover.

Even if you're a seasoned professional, there will undoubtably be chapters in the book that will appeal to you. Some of the more in-depth challenges in running a firm are rarely brought up in design courses. I wish there was a book this comprehensive while I was in school.

Shel Perkins, former AIGA (American Institute of Graphic Designers) National Representative and honorary AIGA Fellow, has taught, consulted, managed, and written numerous books and workshops. He currently teaches at the California College of the Arts, the Academy of Art in San Francisco, and the University of California.

Good book that goes into plenty of detail and explains why it's important to make these business moves, if you want to have a successful design business. These tips are even important to understand if you work for someone else's design business.

Item has came within a reasonable timely manner. The price I've paid for it was cheaper than the price it was in my school's bookstore, so I'm satisfied. Thanks!

As a graphic design student, there are a lot of options in terms of building a career. This book does a great job of not only outlining the various skills necessary to succeed in graphic design, but also introduces that different capacities in which we can practice our work. Besides that, Perkins provides plenty of suggestions for learning more about the different subjects he goes over; including providing IRS publications relevant to freelance designers and books that introduce basic accounting concepts. He also discusses working as a freelancer or within a design firm/in-house. It is written in a pragmatic and clear way and should be a go-to book for students wondering what the different employment opportunities are after graduation.

This book is great for designers who are wondering about the world of freelancing or working for a design firm.

the book have quite a lot of words but easy to understand, quite useful book for designers that can have more input not just design elements but to enrich on design direction