Don't be a Loner--Be part of your community!
Six Do’s and Don’ts From 2009
Well I’ve gotten way off track with my weekly blogs. Few weeks have stretched into at least a month. With the start of a new year, and I believe it’s going to be a great one, I’m reviewing some of the do’s and don’ts that I have learned in the business of graphic and web design.
1. DO!! Follow your gut feeling. Have nagging doubts about a client or project being the right fit for your business? Follow your business model (if you have one), stick to your rules, your goals, your purpose.
2. DO!! more is best…when it comes to contracts and proposals. Have everything in writing. Seems redundant sometimes, but more is best here. The challenge I find in web design and graphic design is defining the scope of a project that evolves. Design itself is subjective and it’s a challenge to contain ideas, revisions, communications, etc. Spend the time upfront on what the deliverables include and don’t include.
3. DO make time to learn. For most designers this is fun and it never gets old. In web design; standards, styles, techniques…just about everything is constantly changing and evolving. Do make time each week to do a tutorial, participate in an online seminar or review new materials. I have several sites that I enjoy, especially the resources on Sitepoint.
4. DON’T be a loner. I recently had an Arno profile-temperament test done, and not surprising one of my traits is that I tend to be a loner. I have to nudge myself and sometimes make a point to keep more involved with my community. One of the biggest benefits I do enjoy is being part of a community of like-minded professionals that I interact with in forums and networking groups. I can’t do it alone and I rely on others experience and expertise.
5. DON’T swap services. I have occasionally traded my design and marketing services with others for their services. In my opinion it’s not worth it. I can think of three recent instances where it hasn’t worked for me. Though for someone just starting out it can be a good way to work on your portfolio. Big no, no, – don’t do spec work. Find out why here: http://www.no-spec.com.
6. DON’T criticize or put down another Designers work: When looking at your competition and talking about them be careful not to be critical. It’s tempting…but keep in mind what you put out there comes back to you. Remember the golden rule?
True case in point: A new client comes to me having left a previous web designer (in this case 4 priors—red flag, duh) and complains how awful the service was. And, wow, now they are picking me to fix everything and make it all better. Ego boast gets in the way and I dive in for the rescue. After several attempts to ‘make it all better’, no surprise, it isn’t better…. thinking back to DO number one at the top of this list, follow your gut and run next time.
Can’t wait to see what’s in store for 2010 and the new lessons that will be learned!
