Success By Design: The Essential Business Reference for Designers

This book is full of realistic, actionable insights for tackling the business side of providing client services as a designer. As someone who recently started working independently after several years working for sprawling agencies, David Sherwin’s book has helped me wrap my head around – and begin to effectively manage – the myriad tasks that have to happen before, during, and after “the design work” in order to actually make a living at it.Sherwin goes into an appropriate amount of detail on the nuts-and-bolts of business development, contract negotiation, scheduling, client relationships, and effective review and delivery. I say “appropriate amount” because he touches on some areas that are the subject of whole books on their own (listed in the “Resources” section) and some – such as contract negotiation – that are simply imprudent to take on without at least some form of legal counsel (with to-the-point explanations as to why this is the case).This book also includes bigger picture concerns of market positioning, leadership, and studio culture, as well as dozens of vignettes and examples from Sherwin and others. It’s an easy to understand, engaging read – and one that I imagine I’ll keep coming back to as my own practice grows.

Over the years I have been a freelancer and a part of ad/design agencies, but I was reading the book because I'm trying to grow in my leadership position at an in-house agency. The majority of the information included in this book will work for freelancers, agency designers, and in-house designers. What makes the information so valuable is that it is information that you don't learn in design schools, it's usually learned on the job.

Great book, and better than most at describing the world of design. The author also takes a very lighthearted approach to explaining everything so it doesn't read like a text book. The only reason I didn't give a 5 star is because it didn't cover some topics as well as I would have liked it too.

This book covered a good amount of ground. It might not be for every business model, but sets a good example for what a good design studio should strive to be. Worth considering if you're trying to understand how your studio can be more efficient or if you're trying to start your own business.

I loved how this book prepares you for all of the questions you will have after you graduate from college. This book is a must read if you have no experience outside of schooling.

This book provided comprehensive information about the various segments a Graphic Designer might work in. The book also discussed running your own Studio.I would suggest that anyone wanting to work in the Graphic Design Industry as an employee or freelance read this book. There was a lot of information presented in a logical way in the entire book.

I've only read a few chapters so far, but I would absolutely recommend this to any design professional thinking of heading out on their own, be it freelance or a new firm.

This book have excellent tips and tools that i wish i have 2 years ago. When i was reading the book i was laugh fin to my self and said "i have made this mistake, etc". I recommend this book to any entrepreneur designer.

Love it. Informative and engaging. I love the definition of "Design Leadership"