Other things Archives | &Something Studio

May 22, 2025 — No Comments

AI is no longer just the sound of northern realisation.

It’s becoming increasingly common to see AI-generated design being used by brands over the past year or so, and while this might seem like a bad thing for designers, perhaps we should be thinking of it as an opportunity.

AI design vs the human experience

We tend to see AI as a new concept, but if you think about it, it’s been around for quite a while, in one form or another. Thinking back, many professional designers have used aspects of it for years to check our grammar when writing our own copy, for example.

What’s changed, though, is that AI is now accessible to many more people and has become very easy (and very cheap) to use. It’s possible to give AI a simple set of instructions and have it generate all sorts of designs and images in just a few seconds.

Let’s be honest – there are businesses out there (and some major players) who want to create as much visual content as they can, as fast as they can. The internet is a busy place, and they want to be consistently seen in as many places as they can. It doesn’t matter that what they’re producing is low-standard (quantity over quality) as long as they can get as many eyes on their content as possible over a short amount of time.

There’s one pretty major component that they’re missing, though.

Where’s the human experience? AI can give us quantity and speed but can never be human. It can’t portray a feeling, it can’t think emotionally, and it can’t understand a client’s vision. These are pretty major shortfalls that AI has in that it can never replicate what a real human designer can do, and I think that’s where businesses that choose to work with designers will vastly outshine the competition in the end.

Human-led collaboration

In my experience, clients still value working with people—particularly when refining ideas, asking questions, and evolving a brand. As experienced designers, our ability to communicate, guide, and co-create with our clients is a massive differentiator. AI isn’t able to brainstorm with clients over coffee…yet!

While AI-generated design is fast and inexpensive, most people can recognise it a mile off – and for businesses who have no experience in design, it’s often inconsistent with their branding (if indeed they have any). It doesn’t do any favours in either brand recognition or personality. AI-generated design tends to be very generic, created to appeal to the masses rather than the specific audience the brand is trying to attract. You know how the saying goes: if you try to appeal to everyone, you appeal to no one.

Design is a craft, not just a tool.

Anyone can use an AI tool for free (or for very little cost) to create graphics or images if they choose to. There will always be people who value saving time and money to create their branding, but as professional designers, we know that they are not our target clients.

In reality, most people know that design isn’t just a tool. That’s not what they’re paying us for. What they value is our expertise, our experience, our knowledge, and our ability to see their vision and be able to bring it to life.

That’s our selling point; it’s what we need to remain focused on when we’re getting to know a new client and demonstrating what we can do for them that AI simply can’t.

How can we stay ahead of the AI trend?

Sometimes, it does feel as though the online space is saturated with AI content. Is it a fad? Perhaps – but I think we have to accept that it’s going to be around for a while, and while it might have some impact on the design industry, those of us who plan to stay the course will, in the end, be far better off than those who rely on AI. I really believe that.

How can we do it? Here are some of my thoughts:

Be human—people buy from people, so sharing stories about your work, your design process, and your experiences lets them see who you are.
Collaborate and communicate—being a partner who can listen, advise and adapt means that you build a working relationship, something which AI will never do.
Learn and evolve—refining your skills, being aware of new trends, and keeping your work fresh will let you stay ahead of the game.

Can you add anything (without ChatGPT)?

Published by admin in Design Community, Digital, Other things

April 11, 2025 — No Comments

A Balancing Act

Taking the lead on client projects

One of the biggest challenges can be balancing respect for a client’s vision for a project while taking the lead and using our expertise.

It can be tricky. Sometimes, a client feels so strongly about what they want, whereas our experience tells us that certain elements simply won’t work within their existing brand or aesthetics. Others don’t really know what they want and desperately need the proper guidance to get the project done.

In these instances, knowing how far to push can be hard. You want to give the client the best outcome, but you don’t want to overwhelm or alienate them. Ideally, finding that middle ground, building a positive relationship when you’re working together, and having the confidence to take the lead where it’s needed while listening to the client’s ideas can mean the difference between a successful project and a dent in your reputation.

While a good collaboration between the designer and the client is key, having the confidence to step in and offer advice and expertise to guide clients who are often unfamiliar with the design process instils confidence and makes for a much easier (and more enjoyable) working relationship.

A designer is more than just a contractor

I try to remember that when a client hires me, it’s not just as a contractor to carry out their ideas. What’s just as valuable is my experience—when a client hires a designer, they are not simply buying the final product; they’re looking for the benefit of a creative process, an ability to solve design problems, and years of training and experience.

While many clients have a rough idea of what they want, they often have little clue about how to get there. That’s when we, as designers, have to have the confidence to take the lead in the project and give them the necessary guidance.

In order to do that, we have to communicate the best way to move from ideation to completion, and we have to make it clear from the first meeting what the project will involve from both sides.

I find that once the client has expressed to me what their vision and goal is for the project, I’m then able to give my feedback and offer suggestions for how we can realise their ideas while interjecting my expertise and offering alternatives where things can be simplified or made more cohesive, whether that’s because I feel that their idea clashes with their existing brand identity, or the layout is too complex for the user to navigate, this is the stage where I need to pick up all of those potential problems and offer solutions.

What to do when the client is unfamiliar with the design process

This can be one of the biggest challenges—often, a client will have a clear idea of what they want but little concept of what it takes to get it. They may think something is just a five-minute job when it can take many hours.

I’ve come across this many times, and the key is to educate them and take some time to explain the steps involved and why we do it that way. Remember, as a designer, you are the expert, and part of the job is to help clients understand what is required to make their designs work.

There have been exceptions, but on the whole, I’ve struck up good relationships with most of the clients I’ve had, who I’ve been able to discuss things openly with, although occasionally, every designer will experience a client who insists on design choices that just don’t align with best practice – sometimes they want to use problematic images, or overcrowd the design with text, or use colours that just look odd against their branding. This can be tough because then you’re stuck between respecting their wishes and maintaining the integrity of your design.

It can be hard, but my advice is to speak up, be professional and find a way to avoid making the client feel like their ideas are being dismissed. Instead, explain the drawbacks and provide alternatives—maybe even give examples of past experience—to achieve the outcome they want.

It’s all about confidence

Taking the lead with a client isn’t about dominating the conversation; it’s about embracing your role as an expert, guiding with confidence, and ensuring the end product meets the project’s goals.

Remember: you have the skills and expertise to guide the process and create the right results. Don’t be afraid to take the reins, suggest bold ideas, and educate your clients along the way.

Published by admin in Other things

March 11, 2025 — No Comments

Choose Your Creative Strengths

Taking a fresh perspective on 2025 business planning

Like a lot of businesses, I’ve been thinking about what &Something Studio should look like over the next 12 months. By now, we’re all a bit fed up with seeing our social feeds filled with posts about 2025 goals and trends. It all feels a bit…contrived to me. It’s not the real world, is it? I mean, do we all aim to be running 6-figure businesses?

I’m not convinced we’re looking at this in the right way. Perhaps we need to step back from this online marketing madness and get back to basics – and back into our own way of doing things. Let’s not get caught up in all the influence and think rationally about what we want our businesses to look like.

What are the ‘rules’, anyway?

Now and again, I fall into the trap of reading stuff online and thinking, ‘Oh, so that’s how I should be doing it!’. How many of us do that? Especially when we spend a lot of time working alone or in a small group. When you work in isolation, as many of us do in the design field, you find yourself open to all sorts of influences that perhaps aren’t entirely helpful.

I’m not saying all of it is awful – there’s some great advice out there. What I’m suggesting is that we need to consider our own unique situation and our own experience. Rather than trusting what we read, put some trust in ourselves, too. No one knows your business and particular aspirations better than you – certainly not some random person on the internet who’s never met you.

Nothing is set in stone in business, and nothing stays the same. What worked last year might not work this year. And so the rules keep changing – the goalposts are always moving. The rules – and our plans – need to be flexible. The trick is to monitor our marketing efforts and know when things need to change.

The rules we set should be ours and ours alone. Sure, take guidance and seek advice – learn from what you read, and those you trust, but decide what’s for you and what isn’t. Just because something works for one person doesn’t mean it will be right for you.

How often do you review and plan?

Having a 12-month goal can sometimes feel overwhelming. We all have goals, and it’s good to have something in place so you know where you want to be heading. But, like I said earlier, things often change, and we need to accommodate that.

Between those yearly plans, I find it helpful to look back every few months to see what’s worked for us, and where we’ve been wasting our efforts. Sometimes, I’ve put loads of time into marketing in a particular area, and then in the second half of the year, it’s just…stopped working. That doesn’t mean I should abandon it, but it might mean that I try something else for a while, or change the way that I do that particular exercise.

Some people do that monthly or quarterly. It’s not really set in stone, but it’s definitely helpful to do throughout the year. And it means that you won’t get to the end of the year and realise how much time, energy, and money you’ve wasted on something that hasn’t brought in any business at all.

Slow growth is still growth.

There’s a big emphasis on business growth – and yeah, it’s a vital part of any business to always be marketing for new clients in order to keep the pennies coming in. But is it necessary to grow at a million miles an hour?

Again, we always see messages online about how we need to earn X amount to be successful – but what does success mean? Because in my experience, it’s not just about money. It’s about finding projects that excite me, spending my time working with the right people, and moving forwards creatively. Sure, I need my studio to make money for me to live, but it’s about more than that. The whole profit-building exercise feels a bit crass.

I’ve mentioned in past articles that my future goals are centred around doing work that I enjoy. I recognise that I need to make sure that the business is profitable and that I need to survive, but I’ve no desire to become a millionaire anytime soon. So, while I want to grow the studio, it’s not driven by earnings – and if increasing my earnings means that I lose my enjoyment of the work, I’ve done that before, and it’s not the trade-off I want again.

Knowing our limits

We all have our limits – both in how much we can do, and how much we can spend on building our business. While it’s usual for us to push those from time to time, we should also recognise where to push, and when to let go.

Let’s use marketing as an example, though the same applies to production, illustration or rolling out websites. We’re pretty fortunate that we get a lot of marketing tools these days for free. Stuff like social media allows us to get in front of thousands of people in an instant – something that we’ve never been able to do without spending on ads before.

But there is a cost – to our time, at least. We can lose hours creating stuff for our social feeds, only to not bring any interest. If you think about it, you can easily lose money because every hour you spend on social media can be an hour’s profit lost.

Most of us who run small businesses have limited resources and can’t always outsource. Marketing specialists, copywriters, and social media agencies all cost money, and so many of us end up taking on those tasks ourselves.

Think about where you stand to lose the most. Is it worth taking back some time by outsourcing? In some cases, it will be. Bear in mind that time = money. Just because you do it yourself doesn’t mean it’s free.

Published by admin in Other things

January 11, 2025 — No Comments

Team Up with Experts

I’m my own worst enemy. I have this strong will to handle everything myself instead of bringing in experts, even if it takes me twice as long. I suppose that’s a trait of being a business owner. We get so used to wearing all the hats that we forget that it’s perfectly acceptable to take one off sometimes and give it to someone who can do the job better.

I’ve stayed self-sufficient by default. In the beginning, it’s not a choice for most of us – we simply don’t have the resources available, so we hustle and do everything ourselves to get by. But then, it becomes more habitual, and the idea of delegating parts of my projects to others feels kind of worrying.

It’s a nerve-wracking process—pulling people in from the outside only to discover that they don’t live up to the standard I need.

In fact, I’ve had experiences where, rather than being impressed by what someone else contributed, I ended up wishing I had done the work myself. There’s nothing worse than seeing someone else’s work on your project and thinking you could have done a better job. The frustration of working with people who miss the mark can be real. But I’ve learned something important along the way: when you find the right people whose work pushes you to up your game, that’s when the magic happens.

Finding a Network of Experts

When you’re thinking about how to find people to handle tasks for you, it can be easy to fall into the trap of ‘who’s cheapest?’. I think that’s the first mistake many people make, and then we wonder why we get those feelings of ‘I should’ve done it myself’ and isolate ourselves in an effort to do it solo. Instead, it’s about surrounding yourself with a reliable network of experts. These are people you can trust to handle specific tasks, not just to free up your time but to actually improve the quality of the project.

In creative projects, pulling in experts in their respective fields allows you to focus on what you do best. When you delegate the right tasks to the right people, you’re allowing specialists to shine, and that lifts the entire project.

Of course, the challenge is finding those people with the same “it’s all about the work” mentality as you. You don’t just need someone who’s technically proficient (or cheap); you need someone who brings value, understands the vision, is passionate about the project, and has the drive to go the extra mile.

Building Trust Through Relationships

It’s not about hiring the first person who appears in your search results or the most affordable option. The best collaborations come from relationships you’ve built over time. That’s why it’s important to start connecting with experts well before you need their services. Building a list of trustworthy professionals whose work ethic and skill you trust and relate with yourself.

Building these relationships takes time, and it requires openness. You have to be willing to learn from others. Sometimes, someone’s approach might differ from yours, and instead of feeling threatened, it’s better to see that as an opportunity to grow. It’s inspiring to work with creatives who challenge you—who produce work that makes you think, “I need to step up my game.” When you find people who raise the bar, it doesn’t just improve the project; it elevates your own skill set.

Elevate the Work, Not Your Ego

At the end of the day, bringing in experts is not about proving you can’t do something yourself. It’s about creating something that wouldn’t be possible if you tried to do it alone. As a graphic designer, I know how easy it is to get caught up in the idea of “going solo.” But when you surround yourself with the right people, the work improves, your skills improve, and the final result is far beyond what you could have achieved on your own.

By trusting the right experts, you’re not delegating—you’re elevating the entire creative process. And ultimately, isn’t that what great work is all about?

Published by admin in Lists, Other things

Tags: collaborate, designcommunity

October 26, 2024 — No Comments

The pressure of ‘perfect’

Is chasing perfection holding back your design career?

There’s a quote that’s been heard a lot recently: ‘Done is better than perfect.’ Sheryl Sandberg (former COO of Meta) cited it in her book as a way of expressing the idea of doing something, even if it’s not ideal. I wonder how many of us struggle with this concept.

The pressure of ‘perfect’

Our clients pay us to work from their brief and expect a distinctive result. That alone puts pressure on us – but at what point do we step away, stop tinkering and tweaking what we’ve produced, and trust ourselves? When should we let it go and believe that the project is complete and meets the client brief far enough to satisfy?

Most of the pressure comes from ourselves rather than the clients we serve. So, how can we overcome that?

I can only speak of my own thought process when I face this kind of pressure, and it’s this: “What if it’s not quite right?”

This thought process results in either endless tinkering until I’m a little happier with it or the idea that I’ll ‘leave it ’til later’ (later never comes).

At this point, I should realise it’s done…

Get on with it

The thing is, I know for an absolute fact that once I get myself moving on something, I can get it done. My belief that it’s never quite right or the client won’t like it is my own fabrication – I’ve been designing for other people for years and can probably count on one hand the number of times a client has sent back a project – and in all of those cases I’ve simply made a few adjustments. It’s been fine, so my feelings of doubt are totally unfounded. I know that, yet I still feel them.

Push aside those feelings and get on with it. I know that’s easier said than done, so keep reminding yourself:

Done is better than perfect, yes, but perfect is subjective. Just because you could spend the next three months tinkering with the project doesn’t mean it will turn out any better—that’s for the client to decide.
If those projects that are ‘nearly finished’ could be given a deadline, they could be off the to-do list—and that would feel great.
Stop making yourself nervous about work being seen ‘in case it’s not quite right’. It’s part of the job that people will see your work. It’s unavoidable.

The underlying message for all this is to stop striving for perfection, which is born from a lack of confidence. Believe in what you do and get it out there.

Published by admin in Other things

September 10, 2024 — No Comments

Why it’s important to take your clients through your design processes

The subject of this article came to mind recently when something happened in my hometown. A modern sculpture installation was placed around the town, and some pieces received harsh criticism. Interestingly, when the public learned the thought process behind the installations, the criticism quietened.

A while ago, I wrote another article touching on this subject, asking if we have the right to criticise corporate rebrands. I thought I might look at it from a graphic designer’s perspective because it’s something that a lot of us have faced, and it can be a hard thing to deal with—particularly if you’re new to the industry.

Many of us have encountered design criticism, but I think that handling your client relationships on a more personal level can help a lot. In other words, develop a working relationship and take your clients through the process with you so that they understand what’s behind it.

Building Trust and Transparency

When clients come to us, they often have a good idea about what they want (and need) from the project, be that a website, a rebrand, or a logo, but they might need to learn how to communicate it.

Also, they might need to be more familiar with how the design process works or what we need to do to realise their vision. That’s why it’s important to get to know them, build their trust, and be transparent about what we can and can’t do for them.

Part of this process is having them trust you enough so that you can share your expertise, let them know if their design ideas are not quite right for what they’re trying to achieve, and offer them solutions that will ultimately get them what they want—even if they don’t know it yet.

When clients understand how and why certain decisions are made, they are more likely to feel confident in the project’s direction. This openness can prevent misunderstandings and the feeling that they are being left in the dark, which can erode trust and lead to dissatisfaction.

Enhancing Collaboration

If we work towards involving clients, we can tap into their unique insights and knowledge about their brand, audience, and goals, leading to more informed design decisions. By providing feedback, clients can feel like they’re steering the ship and, in doing so, are involved in the design process.

Also, collaboration ensures that the final product is not just the designer’s vision but a co-created solution that meets the client’s needs.

Reducing Revisions and Rework

If they see only the end result, clients are more likely to ask for revisions and reworks because their vision hasn’t been satisfied, and they feel that you’ve not understood their brief. But if you can involve them, you can catch potential issues early and address them before they become major problems.

Checking in regularly with updates and, asking questions and getting feedback from the client means that the project stays on track and is aligned with the client’s vision, saving you time and resources.

Strengthening Relationships

Clients who feel involved and valued are more likely to return for future projects and recommend your services to others. This can lead to long-term partnerships and a strong network of satisfied clients.

Positive relationships built on trust and mutual respect are invaluable in the design industry. They can lead to more creative freedom, as clients who trust you are more likely to be open to innovative ideas and solutions.

What are your thoughts on this? Do you make an effort to build this kind of working relationship with your clients, or are they hands-off? Have you ever missed the mark and had backlash when the brief wasn’t communicated correctly?

Published by admin in Other things

June 13, 2024 — No Comments

From here to…

Things to think on as a design graduate

Starting a career in design can be both exciting and daunting. In truth, even those of us who have been here for a long time find it tough going sometimes—things are always evolving, and new trends and tech mean that we always have to stay ahead of the curve.

At this time of year, I often get messages from new graduates asking for advice. What should I do next? Where do I start? How do I stand out fresh from uni? These are not easy questions to answer because every designer is different, and my path is not the same one as you might want to choose.

That said, though, there is some great advice that I’ve picked up along the way – some of which I still look on to this day when I feel like I’ve lost direction or just need inspiration to get going when things are slow.

Here are some key pieces of advice (that I wish I’d known) for design graduates entering the field:

Build your portfolio

Your portfolio is your most important project. Rather than treat it like a catalogue of everything you’ve ever worked on, focus on quality over quantity. Showcase your best work. It’s better to have fewer, well-executed projects than a load of mediocre ones.

Make it attractive and cohesive, showcasing your narrative through the work that you’ve done. Be personable rather than presenting just another portfolio. No jargon.

Build your connections

Reach out to as many people in your field as you can, both online and offline. Attend industry events, join design communities, and connect with professionals on social platforms. Networking can open doors to job opportunities, collaborations, and mentorship. Every connection counts.

Share your work consistently on social platforms. Engage with industry professionals and people who might help you. Amplify your narrative and expand your network.

Get out and go to events. Turn up. Create connections everywhere you go.

Find a Mentor

Having a mentor can provide guidance, feedback, and industry insights that are invaluable at the start of your career. Find someone willing to offer sound advice and constructive criticism when you need it.

Learn to be resilient and persistent

The design field is competitive, and rejection is part of the process. Stay persistent and keep refining your craft. It’s not easy, but don’t fall into negative outlooks. Nothing great is ever easy, so expect to have to put the work in – it will be worth it.

Get practical experience

Look for paid internships or freelance work. These experiences can provide practical knowledge and make your resumé more attractive to potential employers.

Try to work on real-world projects; this can be a significant portfolio booster. Don't work for free.

Stay focussed, keep learning

Try to avoid ‘scattergun’ tactics. Instead, use your energy and time wisely and remain focused on one or two things instead of burning yourself out trying to do everything.

Design is a rapidly evolving field. Stay updated with the latest tools, technologies, and trends. And invest some time in continuous learning. Online courses, workshops, and design communities can be valuable resources.

Use any downtime you have to create new things to show in your portfolio and on social media. Anything you can do to stay fresh and visible will go a long way toward building your reputation and keeping your portfolio interesting to potential employers.

Look after yourself

This might be my most important piece of advice, yet one that is overlooked by all of us – maintaining your mental well-being is the single best thing you can do for yourself at any point in your career.

Make time to step back from things once in a while and do something for yourself and only yourself. When you’re relaxed and mentally positive, it shows through everything you do, and you are much more likely to enjoy your experience, whether that’s job searching, freelancing, or building your design career in-house.

Don’t take rejection personally

It’s a harsh truth that a proportion of the people that you reach out to won’t respond. It’s not you; people are busy. They might not have the time to respond right away (or at all), you might not be a good match, or they might pin the message to respond to at a later date – I’ve had people come back to me after several months, so don’t lose hope.

If you’ve approached someone who you really want to work with, don’t be afraid to follow up after a week or so. You won’t annoy them – it’s just a reminder. If they still don’t respond after you’ve followed up once or twice, then perhaps they simply can’t offer what you’re looking for. It’s not personal – move on to the next thing.

Starting your career in design requires a balance of creative skills, professionalism, and the ability to continuously learn and adapt. Embrace the journey, stay curious, and keep pushing your creative boundaries.

Published by admin in Other things, Promoting

Tags: designcommunity, Graduates, Network

May 8, 2024 — No Comments

The Importance of Brand Consistency

I can’t tell you how many businesses I’ve spoken to who believe that branding is getting a new logo and slapping it on all of their marketing. But there’s much more to brand consistency than that, and I wanted to share with you how getting branding right, from a design point of view, works to tie all the elements together cohesively.

Put simply, brand consistency is the glue that holds a brand together. From the logo on a business card to the imagery on a website, consistent design elements reinforce brand recognition and foster trust with your audience. Having consistent branding that is instantly recognisable creates trust and confidence.

If you think about some of the brands that you buy, the best ones are the ones that you can recognise just by a simple colour, logo, or font style – think the red and white of Coca-Cola, its iconic bottle shape, or the simple bitten apple logo on the back of your iPhone. They’re unmistakable and don’t even have to show their name; you know who they belong to. That’s what branding does – it creates a set of rules that govern how visual elements are used across different mediums and platforms.

Use design systems to maintain brand consistency.

1. Establish brand guidelines - Begin by defining clear and comprehensive brand guidelines that outline the use of brand elements, including specifications for logo usage, colours, typography styles, and imagery.

2. Focus on brand values and personality - Identify the key attributes that define the brand’s personality and values. Whether it’s sophistication, playfulness, or innovation, ensure that every design decision aligns with these core attributes to maintain brand authenticity.

3. Design for flexibility - Create flexible design elements that can be applied across various mediums, whether print or digital, without compromising brand integrity.

4. Keep evolving - design is not set in stone; it should evolve alongside the brand and the changing design landscape. Continuously gather feedback, analyse performance, and refine things to keep your brand fresh and relevant.

The customer experience

What matters most when thinking about branding is the user experience. Whether it’s the logo, a social media post, packaging design, or website design, consistency in not just the colour palette but also the overall look, style, and tone work together to build trust and strengthen brand identity and ultimately contribute to the brand’s long-term success.

If you can achieve uniform branding across the board, customers will get to know and recognise it and feel like they have a connection with it – making it front of mind when they’re ready to make a purchase.

What is your experience of branding? Feel free to share your thoughts with me, or if you’d like advice for branding in your business, reach out – I’d be happy to help.

Published by admin in Branding, Other things

Tags: Brand Consistency, graphic design, Logo Design

April 5, 2024 — No Comments

Career paths: how do you qualify?

There are so many ways to get a career in design, but it doesn’t necessarily follow that you just need the formal qualifications to be a good designer. It’s absolutely possible to be good at design without any qualifications at all. Like with everything, everyone learns differently, and I think it’s important to find the right path for you, whether that’s traditional or not.

With this in mind, I wanted to explore how graphic designers can start a career – whether they choose university or not.

Embrace Your Creativity and Passion

I’ve often tried to explain to people that the bottom line is that you just need to be a good designer. It doesn’t matter what official qualifications you have or what other jobs you’ve had—if you’ve got a passion and willingness to learn, great, and if you’ve got ‘that thing’ too, you’re already halfway there.

Many successful designers have started their careers simply because they love to create. It just starts with that spark and grows from there.

Take time to explore your creativity, experiment, put ideas on paper, and try something different. The more you immerse yourself in the creative process, the more you refine your skills and develop a unique style.

Build a Strong Portfolio

Let me share how often I’ve been asked for evidence of my formal qualifications. None. Most people don’t care about that—instead, they’re looking for something to show I can do the right job for them.

Your portfolio is your resume. It showcases your skills, style, and creativity to potential clients. The key is to showcase your best work, the kind of work you love, and give potential clients an idea of how you could do the same for them.

Like me, most designers nowadays have an online portfolio on their website, making it easy for people to see what they’re about. If your client projects are scant or you’re just starting out, I’ve seen plenty of designers use personal projects to great effect. I did something similar with my book TenYrsLater and am still doing it with a new set of projects underway.

Network and Collaborate

Something I always advocate is getting to know other designers. There’s often this belief that creative people must carefully guard their circle, for fear of their ideas and work being stolen. That rarely is the case, and in fact, I think it’s important to network and collaborate with other designers. Sharing ideas and supporting others has huge benefits and works wonders for your mental health during tough times.

If you work alone, as many creatives do, just having a few trusted peers to call on for guidance is always helpful. Don’t think of them as competitors but as a support network.

Embrace Continuous Learning

Graphic design is constantly evolving, with new trends, technologies, and techniques emerging all the time. To stay relevant, we must embrace lifelong learning. Whether mastering new software, checking out design trends, or honing our skills in specific areas, always seek knowledge and improvement.

If you find online resources, workshops, webinars, or even formal courses beneficial, take advantage of them. Stay curious, adaptable, and willing to step out of your comfort zone to grow as a designer.

Remember, your journey as a graphic designer should be unique; don’t be afraid to break the rules.

Published by admin in Design Community, Education, Other things

Tags: collaborate, designcommunity, graphic design

March 13, 2024 — No Comments

Not yet niched?

How far should you go?

There’s been a shift over recent years. Perhaps it’s always been there, but somehow, it feels more prevalent now. I wonder if you’ve noticed it, too.

I’ve noticed that design jobs increasingly ask for samples of (often very specific) niches. What they’re asking for frequently goes beyond ‘Have you got experience in the such-and-such industry?’ and is more geared toward ‘Have you written for brand X?’

A few weeks ago, I read a post on LinkedIn talking about this subject. It seems that I’m not the only one who has come across this type of barrier. In the post, the guy was pitching for a project in the beauty industry. The company responded, ‘Can you show us projects you’ve worked on for L’Oréal or similar?’. Understandably, he was flummoxed because although he’d sent over loads of examples where he’d done projects in similar industries, they seemingly wanted something more high-brow.

Are companies right to ask for such specifics, or has it gone just a bit too far?

Has ‘niche’ become another buzzword for the creative industry?

A lot of designers choose to specialise or ‘niche’, usually opting to work for a particular industry or only specialise in specific types of projects. But while I agree that niching has a place, I wonder if we’ve become overly focused on it, to the point of blocking out opportunities that more generalist designers enjoy?

By doing so, have we inadvertently forced prospects to seek out designers who work only in their industry or in one specific niche? If that’s the case, should generalist designers pick a niche to appease these brands?

For those who are new to the game, I think it’s always a good idea to gain experience across several industries and fields. Otherwise, how do you know which direction you wish to go? Perhaps this mix of experience is gained whilst working through positions in different studios, and that's how you discover your niche.

What if you don’t have the ‘right’ samples?

What should you do if you have pitched a company and get this kind of email back? What if they ask for samples you simply don’t have?

There are a couple of ways of looking at this. You could go back to the company and ask for clarification on what, exactly, they are looking for. If you have a piece that showcases the kind of thing they need, then you could highlight that and offer to go more in-depth about your experience in completing the project and why you think it lends itself to their situation.

Or, if you get a particularly strong pushback and feel that the demand is too unreasonable, ask yourself if the project is worth it. Of course, if it’s a brand that you’ve always dreamed of working with, this can be a tough call – but remember, just because you are not a match right now, there’s nothing to say that in a year or two, you won’t have that demanded experience under your belt. It may just be a case of working up to it.

Being resilient

At some point, all designers have had dream projects thwarted due to competition or unreasonable demands, and it’s important to know when to pursue and when to step back. But whatever happens, try to think of each rejection as a learning experience and not a personal attack on your abilities, no matter how hard that might be.

If you get rejected for a project you’ve got your heart and soul set on, let yourself feel it, and then think about what you can do to move forward. Are there other similar brands that you could approach? Not only would that satisfy the itch, but it would also move you one step closer to getting that sought-after project next time.

It’s important to seek support, too. If you are a freelancer or a small agency, look around and talk to other designers like you. There are loads of us on platforms like LinkedIn—feel free to look me up there. Creating a community of like-minded people around you definitely helps.

Published by admin in Other things

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