Archive for Resources & Advice
Get your first graphic design job: Twitter tips for graduate designers
Twitter is a great social networking tool for social and work contacts. To help you out Blink has put together our top tips for using Twitter, from what to name your account, to understanding how business and person life overlap and how to use Twitter to help land your dream graphic design job. From why [...]
Read moreThe biggest secret weapon to growing your business is customer service
Customer service is something which you should think about all the time. If you get this right, you will always succeed in business and build an invaluable network of people who think you are great at what you do (which is worth its weight in gold). If your design work is top notch but your bedside manner has people running for the exit, a designer offering better customer service will find themselves with a new client sooner rather than later. This is true of projects where alternative designers cost the same as you, but also of companies that cost more. Example: If you had a choice of a coffee from a seller who was rude and made you dread entering the shop versus a cup costing 10p more from someone who smiled and chatted each time, where would you shop? And when it comes to more important and long term provider/client relationships this becomes true to a much larger scale. Companies have to feel comfortable working with a designer and good customer service is at the top of the list for ensuring you are that person. Read our top tips…
Read moreSTRESS! And how to deal with it.
Help with workplace based stress: Deadlines, project management, chasing pay, being creative under pressure… it all adds up. From my personal experience and that of managing other designers, I can state one simple fact. Stress is almost always completely self-induced and easily avoided by following a few simple ideas.
Read moreWhen is charging interest not in your interest?
Help with chasing late payments for work and when to charge interest on overdue invoices. How and when to charge as well as how to maintain a good working relationship with your client.
Read moreHow to work with designers and agencies to get the best result for your business
This post looks at how companies can help designers deliver the best result for their project.
Read moreSub-contracting and building a team as a small design company
As a freelance designer or small design company, a great way to expand your business is to either hire staff or sub-contract to other designers. My business has grown to the point where I manage and art direct a pool of trusted designers and web developers so I can begin to add extra skills and expertise to [...]
Read moreHow to ensure projects go smoothly as a freelance designer or small design agency owner
For both the client and the freelance designer, ensuring a project goes smoothly is extremely important.
Read moreWork / life balance tips for designers
Work / life balance is a topic which pops up on a lot of blogs and forums regarding the life of a designer working for themselves. I wanted to add my experiences in an honest and candid way to help out those new to freelancing or those looking to hire a freelance designer or small [...]
Read moreTop blogs and sites for design resources
As a designer you can never have too many great resources to hand for tidbits of information, tools, tutorials and advise. Here are a few of my favourite blogs and design sites for keeping your freelance design skills and knowledge fresh (In no particular order):
Read moreNew iPhone app for freelancers – Laptop Friendly Cafes
iPhone apps are cropping up for everything – one of my favourite new ones being the new app which allows you to find a tube stop wherever you are using googlemaps (which can be seen on engadget here). But another one, aimed at freelancers which helps you find cafes where it is easy to setup [...]
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