How To Be a Graphic Designer Without Losing Your Soul - Softcover

Shaughnessy, Adrian

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1568985592 ISBN 13: 9781568985596

Publisher: Princeton Architectural Press, 2005

Synopsis

Designers are quick to tell us about their sources of inspiration, but they are much less willing to reveal such critical matters as how to find work, how much they charge, and what to do when a client rejects three weeks of work and refuses to pay the bill. How to be a graphic designer without losing your soul addresses the concerns of young designers who want to earn a living by doing expressive and meaningful work, and who want to avoid becoming hired drones working on soulless projects. Written by a designer for designers, it combines practical advice with philosophical guidance to help young professionals embark on their careers.

How should designers manage the creative process? What's the first step in the successful interpretation of a brief? How do you generate ideas when everything just seems blank? How to be a graphic designer offers clear, concise guidance for these questions, along with focused, no-nonsense strategies for setting up, running, and promoting a studio, finding work, and collaborating with clients.

The book also includes inspiring interviews with ten leading designers, including Rudy VanderLans (Emigre), John Warwicker (Tomato), Neville Brody (Research Studios), and Andy Cruz (House Industries). All told, How to be a graphic designer covers just about every aspect of the profession, and stands as an indispensable guide for any young designer.

About this title

About the Author

Adrian Shaughnessy was co-founder of the leading London-based design company Intro and was the company's creative director for 15 years before leaving in 2003 to pursue a career as a design writer. He writes regularly for Print magazine and for UK design m

Review

His likable and generous voice guides young designers toward civility and integrity in their approach to a life in design. -- Communication Arts, November 23, 2005

"A sort of career manual guide for young graphic designers who want to earn a living by doing expressive and meaningful work but want to avoid becoming a hired drone working on soulless projects." --Lurzers International Archive, December 2005/January 2006

"Quick read, great insight." -- Craig Brimm --Graphic Design USA, January, 2006

"Tips for young creatives on how to avoid turning into a dreary design drone." --How, February, 2006

"I love a book by Adrian Shaughnessy called How to Be a Graphic Designer: Without Loosing Your Soul " -- Mark Stringer --Computer Arts, June, 2008

"More than seduction by color. The text easily appeals to all of lifes types who might crack its binding: the student crowd who have spent four years learning how to learn; those weighing the decision to go in-house or freelance; the seasoned designer who wants to set up his or her own studio... " -- Lisa Ryers --San Francisco Bay Guardian, January, 2006

"If Adrian Shaughnessy hasn't already started a 'Without Losing Your Soul' franchise of 'How To' books, he should consider it. His likable and generous voice guides young designers toward civility and integrity in their approach to a life in design." --Communication Arts, November, 2005

"A no-holds-barred manual for being a graphic designer . . . a refreshing take on the populated design book genre, sure to help even the most seasoned professional." --Step Inside Design, November/December 2005

"This practical and philosophical how-to offers less fill-in-the-blanks advice than wisdom learned in the field. . . . 'Designers have an unwritten duty to pass on their experience and give support to the next generation of designers,' Shaughnessy writes. You could say that he does his part with this invaluable guide." --CMYK, June, 2006

"How to be a graphic designer, without loosing your soul, provoked me to think about the nature of the soul." -- Milton Glaser --Print, February, 2006

About this edition

• Publisher: Princeton Architectural Press
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 1568985592
• ISBN 13: 9781568985596
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 160