Archive for the ‘Freelancing’ Category
Do you produce better graphic design work under pressure? - Part 1
As you may or may not know, Eightyone Design is made up of two designers, myself (Lucinda - or Lu) and my partner Steve. A recent project (which had an extremely tight deadline) caused us to have a (heated) discussion as to whether we produce better design work under pressure or to a distant deadline. This brought up two very different opinions on the subject so we decided to post our very different points of view.
This is the first of a two part blog post in which I explore the idea of not only working more effectively under pressure but also producing better quality work when working to deadlines. The second part of this blog post will be published in a few weeks and will see Steve delve into the arguably blissful world of no deadlines or pressure (to make sure you do not miss out on the second part of ‘Do you produce better graphic design work under pressure?’ be sure to subscribe to receive free updates from the Eightyone Design Blog by email or via RSS).
Part 1
I have to admit I quite enjoy working to a deadline. There is a certain buzz about having a great long list of items to complete before the day is out. For me there isn’t a better feeling than leaving the office knowing I’ve done a good days work. I believe that the quality of my design work is considerably better when working under pressure and here are a few reasons why…
Clear Objectives
Before starting work on a design (whether I’m pushed for time or not) I ensure the objectives for the project are pinned up in my direct view ensuring I stay on the correct design path without trailing off. However, when I do have extra time to spend on a design I find myself saying, “I wonder what it would look like if…”. Most of the time this leads me off on a creative tangent that results in the creation of something that’s not quite in line with my objectives. When I don’t have time to creatively wander off I stick to my design brief and therefore create a piece which hits the creative nail on the head.
Deadlines
Deadlines are a great way of drawing a line under a project. We, as designers, are perfectionists. We have all experienced the ’stared at it for too long’ syndrome in which no matter how many amendments, tweaks and finishing touches are added, we are still not happy with the end result. Having a deadline can cut out this endless attempt at perfection ensuring that all the elements in the design are there for a reason and haven’t been altered in an attempt to reach that fruitless goal of perfection.
Communication Lock Down
There’s nothing worse than really getting into a project and being called away just as you feel like you are getting somewhere, thus loosing your mojo and having to try and get it back again. At the end of the day, we are running a business and as such have to answer phone calls, reply to emails and attend meetings. I find this constant interruption really does affect my design process. Hence why, when I am under pressure, the phone gets put to answer machine, email and Safari are closed down and even itunes is switched off ensuring my focus is entirely devoted to what I am creating. Again this allows me to stay on track and not get influenced by the frustrating phone call I’ve had from a supplier or whimsical music which has unearthed itself from my music shuffle.
Conclusion
Overall I believe I do produce better design work to a deadline because I am more focussed. I am not distracted by my desire to “try something a little different” or my need to discover the worlds most perfect design (or simply by the telephone ringing every half hour). Nothing is driving me apart from the objectives for the project and the messages that are to be communicated from the piece. This may sound harsh and it sounds like I am taking the fun out of design, but I feel that this level of concentration allows me to develop much better design work.
The final note I shall leave you on is nothing to do with the quality of work you produce but the fact that you are trying to run a business. It cannot be cost effective to spend a great deal of time on a project all in the name of art. You will find yourself working long hours for less than minimum wage. Pressure and deadlines forces you to create a design on time and on budget allowing you to make a profit.
Do you find yourself working better under pressure? Do you agree (or disagree) that working under pressure allows you to create a more focussed end product?
Tags: Freelancing, graphic designer
Posted in Freelancing, Graphic Design | No Comments »
What should a graphic designer wear?
As freelance graphic designers we enjoy a lot of freedom; the freedom to work from home - in a comfortable environment, the freedom to work the hours that are suitable for us and the freedom to decline projects that we think just aren’t right for us.
One freedom I particularly enjoy, which I’ve never really noticed until now, is the freedom to wear what we want. From working at home in your favourite jogging bottoms or your fluffy pj’s to meeting clients in jeans and Led Zeppelin t-shirts, we have the choice to present ourselves as we see fit.
I usually dress quite smart, particularly if I am meeting a client (especially if it’s for the first time). It’s often the norm to find graphic designers, photographers and artists in a more casual dress code and I believe it is acceptable due to the creative industry we are in. I don’t think it compromises our professionalism or work ethic. I love the Mac vs PC adverts and think the difference in dress demonstrates the difference between a “creative” and “non creative” excellently.
However, do you ever feel under pressure to dress a little more quirky or colourful due to your job title? I was recently off to meet a client for the first time and looked at my outfit and thought I looked a little dull and I needed something to show I was a “creative”. Everyone has heard of wearing a bright tie in an interview to make them stand out from all the other candidates, so do you think that as a graphic designer you are under pressure to make a statement with what you wear? If so what happens when you get this wrong? Could it do more harm than good?
Overall I think it is a practical choice to work in something comfortable rather than having to sit in a stiff suit for eight hours a day. And when it comes to meeting clients I believe there is no right or wrong in our industry it all depends on how you prefer to be seen.
So what do you think? Do you think that as a graphic designer it is perfectly acceptable to dress down? Or do you think this damages the industry and makes us appear too relaxed and casual? Have you ever felt the need to dress a little quirky to define your role as a stereotypical designer?
Tags: dress code, freelance, Graphic Design
Posted in Freelancing, Graphic Design | 3 Comments »
5 reasons you should detach yourself from your digital world
I have recently given in to temptation and bought the new iPhone 3G which I have been admiring from a distance for quite a while. The main reason for wanting the phone was the ability to sync my mac calendars and email allowing me to continually be connected to the digital world (although the virtual pint is reason enough!).
I didn’t think it was too much of a problem checking and responding to emails at the dinner table or surfing the net at our local pub. However, on a recent holiday I found myself sneaking off to reply to emails and generally plug myself into my digital world at every opportunity. It wasn’t that my clients were demanding answers, they all knew we were on holiday and didn’t expect their emails to be responded too. But I felt compelled to plug in and ensure my virtual life was still there.
I’ve started to wonder if my resistance to unplug from my digital world would have a negative effect our business rather than a positive one? Here are 5 reasons you may want to think about detaching yourself from your digital world:
1. 24/7 Communication - A good thing right?!
24/7 communication sounds like a great selling point to your clients (and not too difficult to maintain as I found out), but would clients build an expectation that we are constantly contactable with no excuses. Would they then have a shock when we didn’t respond to an email within 48 hours?
2. Creativity in a Virtual World
Am I locking myself too much into my digital world? Inspiration comes from everywhere however if I am unable to see beyond my virtual surroundings will that start to effect my creativity?
3. Time Waster
Even with the benefits of 3G, logging on away from home takes time and connections are often quite slow. I would love to add up all the time I have spent waiting for a web page to download or email attachment to come through (I think I would be quite shocked at the results).
4. Time Out
It’s important to get away from clients, deadlines and computers. Taking time out means you can return to a project with a new enthusiasm and a clear head. However, with my new iphone, I not only take my mobile but my entire digital world everywhere I go, resulting in a feeling that all I do is work.
5. Social Outcast
Friends and family have had no problems so far with me whipping out my iphone when an email comes through, but I think if someone did the same to me I would be quite shocked and find them quite rude, so am I soon to become a social outcast? Will I be the geek that nobody wants to go out with? Always talking about work (or the new lightsaber app that I have just downloaded - try it - it’s cool!)
Now don’t get me wrong, the functionality and features of the iPhone are truly excellent and there has been a few ‘lifesaver’ moments already, but should I really be worrying about whether a blog article has been posted or an email sent outside of work hours? Or has graphic design finally become a 24/7 industry?
How do you feel about your Digital world? Are you able to detach and embrace reality, or do you prefer a virtual world?
Tags: Freelancing, iphone
Posted in Freelancing | 7 Comments »
Why does everyone think they are a graphic designer?
I am probably right in saying that not many people would tell a mechanic how to fix your car, or lecture an electrician how to re-wire your house, so why does everyone think they can tell a graphic designer how to design? Friends and family all constantly give me creative advice and critique my work, which I don’t mind at all, but sometimes I do have to grind my teeth and say the classic “That’s a great idea, but perhaps not quite right for this project” line.
Don’t get me wrong I have no problem taking criticism, especially from my clients as I will never understand their markets as well as they do, so creative collaboration and co-operation is fine in that respect. I also fully appreciate that as humans we are all creative beings in our own right and each have an individual sense of style. However I can’t help but think that graphic design as an industry is one that everyone thinks they could dip their toe into if they wished, therefore devaluing the whole industry. So, why do a lot of people think they could be a graphic designer and have the right to hand over golden nuggets of creative advice? Possibly for the following reasons….
Mummy’s little designer…
Everyone is told by their parents as a child (and sometimes as an adult) that their glitter / poster paint /chalk drawings / models / creations are fantastic and that they are ‘ever so clever’. So if you are constantly told this by the people who mean the most to you, you are going to think you have a heightened sense of design which may be hard to shrug off.
24/7 Advertising
Everyone is constantly bombarded by a range of advertising, promotion and branding which unless you head to the hills you cannot escape. We are all media trained from an early age and are subconsciously absorbing design left, right and centre.
“Design” Software
It is very easy for everyone now a days to open up Microsoft office and play around with clip art, word art and various templates to create some sort of design. This in my eyes doesn’t necessarily make that person a ‘designer’, but giving people instant access to this kind of software makes people believe that could hold a graphic design title if they want. Moey gives us a great insight in to his experience with this in his article ‘No, I’m Not A Graphic Designer’ in which he states he deserves a better title than ‘Graphic Designer’ to separate him from the wannabe’s.
So if it is true that everyone in the human race is creative what actually defines a graphic designer?
Training
Whether it’s self taught or through University or college, a true graphic designer should be able to navigate through their tools (whatever they maybe) with ease and grace and not rely on cheap and overused filters and effects to create their work.
Constant Creativity
A graphic designer has trouble turning their creativity off! Marnie B has a great list of comical anecdotes about hard core designers, a lot of which ring true. As truly creative beings graphic designers eat sleep and drink design and relish wallowing in this creative lifestyle.
Marketing
Anyone can create a logo or design but will that concept be right for the intended market? Graphic designers are able to choose the right concept and convey those messages in a clear and concise way.
There are probably 100 more points to define graphic designers that I’ve missed! But what are your thoughts on this, what makes a real graphic designer? Do you feel that the creative industry is devalued by the volume of wannabe’s? What do you say to people when they give you creative solutions or suggestions?
Tags: graphic designer, wordart
Posted in Freelancing, Graphic Design | 24 Comments »
How many Website Design companies??!
Now I am not normally one to pass judgement on other people and other companies, but today I received a flyer through my letterbox from a startup website design company based in my area. Whenever I see a new company in our industry the first thing I do is log on to their website and have a look at their design portfolio and list of clients.
Whilst their website was nothing hideous, it did feature the usual cliched stock images of women using laptops (I am not sure why they are always using laptops? Do women not use desktop computers?). Alarm bells rang when the rather small portfolio included a website which showcased the musical talents of someone by the same name as the director of the web design company. It was then that I thought ‘Oh no, another one’.
We seem to be overrun (in the South Devon area at least) by hundreds of people claiming to be web designers and graphic designers who offer their services at ridiculous prices and who offer such a wide range of services they could never be a specialist.
Similarly, I came across a website advertising the services of a Torquay based web design company which also sent alarm bells ringing when I read their list of services as follows:
- Website design
- Photography
- Logo design
- Setting up Internet Connections
- Setting up printers
- Networking
- Setting Up Ebay / Facebook / MySpace accounts
…and the list goes on. The most worrying thing about the above company is their price list. They are currently advertising logo design from between £45 and £60 (although this is free when you order a web design package!). You can also take advantage of their ’Free Home Page Trial’ in which you can have the home page of your website designed with no obligation to buy! Now, as I say, I am not normally one to comment on how other people run their companies, but this is surely pricing themselves out of the market (not to mention making it harder for the rest of us).
The worst thing about the companies I have mentioned is the quality of work produced. A quick check against the WC3 Validator reported over 103 errors on the home page alone (and 124 errors on the first example I mentioned). This combined with dead links, links which open in a new window for no reason, slow download speeds and table based layouts all show the quality of workmanship is simply not there.
The scary thing is that a quick Google search showed there are many more companies offering the same cheap services.
Reading other blogs it seems that this is something that all designers feel quite passionate about (especially in relation to logo design). I recently read a post by Tara on her Graphic Design Blog in which she tells of an incident in which a company had come to a designer friend of hers after having had their newly designed logo added to there company stationary and to a fleet of vehicles, only to discover that another company (from the same industry as them) already uses that very same logo. It seems that it is only after an incident like this that a client learns the benefit of seeking a skilled and professional designer, rather than trying to save a few pounds and getting it done cheap.
However, not all potential clients have had this experience and it can be frustrating having to explain why our prices are higher than the company down the road who will complete the whole project for a lot less money and throw a free logo design in for good measure!
Don’t get me wrong, there are many talented web designers and programmers in the South Devon area, some of which we have been lucky enough to work with but there seems to be a new web / design company cropping up every day!
We recently wrote a blog post about the funny things clients say and ask for and the general feedback from our readers was that it is our obligation to educate our clients to the reasoning and processes behind our industry. The problem is, businesses are based on money, and it’s very hard to explain to the client the difference between a £45 logo design and the price that would be charged by a professional graphic designer.
What are your thoughts on the subject? Do you feel there are lots of companies in your area letting the industry down? How do you explain to your clients the differences between the service you offer compared to a much cheaper company? Or are you a designer / company who offers cheap services and feels you have a valid reason for this?
More articles on this subject:
Why logo design does not cost $5.00 - By Jacob at Just Creative Design
What’s your logo worth? - By David Airey
6 Reasons Why a Logo Should Cost More than your Lunch - By Tara at Graphic Design Blog
Posted in Freelancing, Graphic Design, Logo Design, Web Design | 13 Comments »