Creative freelancers can save time and avoid miscommunication when working with their if they use an effective creative brief in their process. Simply talking…
A student asked me the same question I asked my teachers: "How do I know if I will be successful at freelancing?"…
There are two ways in which we mix color: Additively, using direct light from an original source, and Subtractively, using light reflected from…
What do you do when you a client refuses to pay you? According to Freelancers Union nearly 50% of freelancers were stiffed by clients in…
Have you made resolutions for the new year? What do you want to accomplish? What do you want to change? Where do…
On a recent identity project for a client, I had to send two related print pieces to two different printers, one online…
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Freelancing provides more freedom than any other type of work structure. With that freedom come the responsibilities of ownership and reputation. When…
An up and coming freelancer asked me about how to deal with unusual requests. We all get these from time to time.…
People connect with brands the same way they connect with people. Brands cannot be developed and maintained without design. Branding is not…
This is the first in a series of articles I am writing about color theory. If you read to the end, you'll…
Ownership is simply the idea that something belongs to someone. In the case of your freelance business, you own it. It belongs…
Freelancing is on the rise. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the freelance (contract, temp worker and freelancer — in all industries) economy…
Creativity requires action and effort to actually make something. We can mull over our ideas all we want, but to make a difference,…
And why does it matter? Design theory involves the fundamentals and principles of creating visual communication and all types of art. It…
Self promotion is the practice of telling potential clients about what you do. With it you build your brand, engage prospects and…
I was asked about how to deal with unusual requests. Once someone finds out you are a designer, writer, photographer… any type…
10 Best Practices For Building Reputation and Relationships When you accept a client’s project, you make it your own. You’re not creating for…
You need to identify what's at stake. I often reflect on how blessed I am to work the way I've always wanted to…
You probably already know that you can deduct mileage as a business expense. But did you know that, if you work from…
One fact about playing baseball: To advance to the next base, you need to leave the one you’re on. Baseball forces you…
With the excitement and anticipation of embarking on a freelance career, we can easily get caught up in the ideas of freedom,…
One of the huge differences between a salaried worker and a freelancer is that freelancers need to always be looking for work.…
As an independent creative, prospecting is a practical and necessary business activity that needs focused attention to. It requires work to maintain…
Although it's a common assumption, clients are not automatically entitled to a designer's working files. The tools, preliminary concepts and layouts remain…
To answer the question, “How much will it cost?”, the question, “What do you want to accomplish?” needs to be asked first. Clients are often…
The commonly-given advice is: Do what you love and the money will follow. This is a great ideal, because no one wants to…
Good clients are integral to successful freelance projects and to your career overall. Beyond the project itself, a referral or recommendation from the right…
In Part 1 of this article I focused on what a brand is, and the visual and conceptual components of an effective…
"How do you improve your color vision?" One of my clients asked this question while we were discussing color options for a…
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Here is my step-by-step process for migrating a Wordpress web site from a working or development server (sandbox) to its permanent server.…
I wish I hadn't said, "Yes" to certain design projects. It's not that the projects were a problem, but something about the clients'…
One thing I really appreciate about using WordPress for my website platform is the multitude of time-saving plug-ins available. One plug-in I really appreciate is Akismet.…
Biblically, angels are messengers and warriors, guardians and protectors. I developed a depiction of an angel as warrior, inspired by superheroes and fantasy…
branding influence reputation
typographic illustration in reds for Design and Conquer blog post
Of Influence, Time and Trust Branding is a popular discussion in my circles, and in the course of those conversations I gain…
I recently explored digital printing options for a client’s business card suite that I had originally designed as a spot color job back in…
Recently, I met with a start-up business. As we discussed the scope of work and began putting the design brief together, it…
Email is the most effective means of reaching your customer base. It's targeted and direct, and recipients have opted in to your…
Every design project includes a punch list of required deliverables and a budget. When the budget does not allow for the creation of…
Are you more concerned about aesthetics or your bottom line when contracting design services? Designers - good ones - always care about how…
A significant percentage of my clients are non-profit enterprises. I have had many opportunities to design campaign materials, annual reports, and graphic…
Working with clients can be likened to a downhill race: The designer moves along in her process and picks up momentum as she heads toward the finish…
The Practice and Principle of Accomplishing Something Upon learning about what I do by trade, an employed acquaintance asked with some concern,…
Like me, you've probably received email with a "Think of the forests before you print this." appeal in the footer. We're encouraged…
Identity is the facts - the indisputable reality - of who or what something is. Without getting into an existential discussion, let's…
Start-up businesses and organizations tend to hold themselves back in terms of establishing reputation and solidity by under-budgeting and under-investing in the…
Whether you’re a business owner, executive or staff member, business cards continue to play a leading role at events, in business and…
How do you choose a printer? Your choice will depend on the design project itself, but wouldn't it be great to have several…
There are things we encounter that awake something in us and inspire us: an experience, a revelation, a new insight or piece…