After last week’s post about being a graphic designer, I decided to instantly make another post about how to survive being a graphic designer with my own personal tips. As I explained here, it’s not a peachy area to work in. People are ruthless, clients can be a pain in the ass and motivation is sometimes hard to find. So get a pen or pencil, note this down, be prepared, read the following and good luck!
1. Always take notes; when you are a graphic designer, besides always having your phone with you, carry a small notebook and a pen or pencil. Especially when you’re going to meetings or being briefed, it’s important to know everything the client says about the project you’re about to go into. Even when I’m about to finish a project and have a meeting, I still take note of everything that’s said and/or done.
2. Always have a contract/budget prepared; this is true for most bureaucratic documents we have to have. I tend to make my own based on others I see, and have a similar visual language of my portfolio. It shows that you care about what and how people perceive and remember you. Research like crazy to have the perfect set of documents so you don’t forget to state how many changes the budget includes or what files you are going to send in the end.
3. Always get paid half before you start any project; this almost goes without saying but I learned the hard way. Never start working unless you get paid half a percentage of the total budget. This way, you are guaranteeing that whatever work you’ve done so far, you’re being paid for it. Clients may struggle with you on this but stand up for yourself and be tougher than they are.
4. Your first three to four days should be research; it may sound boring and dull, but it’s essential that you know what’s already out there and inspire yourself. Whether going to a library, searching through your books, websites, taking pictures or going to an exhibition. This is just something for you to bare in mind and not to show the client, but believe me, it will give you the basic ideas for your project.
5. When outsourcing a service, make sure to include it in the budget; if you have to bold or color it, always state that you are outsourcing a service and that the payment is separate from yours. You cannot believe how many times this was not clear for me.
6. Include all the steps you take to complete the project; in your budget or contract, bullet point everything you are going to do, from research, to taking pictures, to making a collage, and say how many hours/days you are going to take to do it.
7. Always be very clear about what you can and cannot do; this is subsequent of point 5. It’s important the client knows what they are getting into and what is your specialty and your limitations. It’s not hard to figure out when you are lying about something.
8. The client isn’t always right; sure, they are the ones paying you and the ones who came up with the project, but you are the expert and you can advise them otherwise. I’ve dealt with all kinds of clients who know exactly what they want or have no idea what the final art is going to be like. Give your professional opinion, be firm and confident, take charge of the project and they will surely appreciate.
9. Always have a smile; and never role your eyes. Meetings can be long and sometimes unnecessary but, believe me, the client will appreciate that you took the time to talk about the project, whether face to face, skype or another method, and if you are polite, confident and nice, they will probably go to you with more projects.
10. Never hand out a project unless you were fully paid; this one is another given. At this point, your client has to know you are trustworthy and before you hand the files, get paid. Always and with no exception, get paid. And state that, in your contract or budget.
I would love to know if you have any other tips to add to these or a comment about what I just wrote.