Work for Money, Design for Love: Answers to the Most Frequently Asked Questions About Starting and Running a Successful Design Business

by David Airey

Unlike other dry business books, this refreshing, straightforward guide from Logo Design Love author and international designer David Airey answers the questions all designers have when first starting out on their own. In fact, the book was inspired by the many questions David receives every day from the more than 600,000 designers who visit his three blogs (Logo Design Love, Identity Designed, and DavidAirey.com) each month. How do I find new clients? How much should I charge for my design work? When should I say no to a client? How do I handle difficult clients? What should I be sure to include in my contracts? David’s readers–a passionate and vocal group–regularly ask him these questions and many more on how to launch and run their own design careers. With this book, David finally answers their pressing questions with anecdotes, case studies, and sound advice garnered from his own experience as well as those of such well-known designers as Ivan Chermayeff, Jerry Kuyper, Maggie Macnab, Eric Karjaluoto, and Von Glitschka. Designers just starting out on their own will find this book invaluable in succeeding in today’s hyper-networked, global economy.

Genres: Design, Business, Nonfiction, Art Design, Creative, Self Help, Art

288 pages, Paperback

First published October 26, 2012

About the author

An independent graphic designer specialising in logos and visual identities, with books to help design students, graphic designers, and those with something to sell.

www.davidairey.com/books

Reviews

[Natalía Papadopoúlou · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book written from the perspective of a one man design agency working with clients from all over the world in the field of graphic design. It's full of insights from the personal experience, not only of the author, but also of other creatives around the world; a feature of research that I particularly enjoyed. My favourite highlight was the last part where all those people were answering what is their motivation to design and work in a freelance/agency format. Why the 4 starts then instead of 5? For two reasons: 1. I felt that the differentiation between setting up an agency and becoming a freelancer was not clear at some points. 2. The best fit audience felt like being design graduates somehow. Even though the book is full of insights I felt a lot of articulation was missing. It still is one of the very few books written that specialises in this area, so I do recommend it :)

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Retraining myself at 42 seems like a vastly crazy enterprise, but this farmer, spirtualist, and homeschooling mom is ready for a change! Did some online research and came across this excellent book on the topic of starting a design business. It was both exciting and reassuring. My ideas on the possibilities seem, well... possible. I'm dreaming big right now, and this one is helping shape those dreams in practical ways. Got it out of the interlibrary loan, but I'm totally planning on purchasing it.

[Minh Nguyen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is fun. It has a lot of stories in it and I like it.

Provide me with a realistic expectation of what going freelancing would be like and prepare me with what I need to do before going freelance.

Very useful and informative. 100% a must read if you decide to be a freelance graphic designer.

[H · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good! Read it from cover to cover. David is selfless and generous. He shares almost every single bit that he knew about setting up a design business. It may not be everything but you'll get what you need just enough to be prepared. It's written in a very specific and direct to the point manner.

[David López · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great advice for designers moving to self employment.

Teaches you the basics of needs to know and explains that ultimately experience and decisions you make will shape your business. But this gives you a guide on how to maneuver several situations.

[Virginia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A nice guide, with suggestions that could seem obvious, but not always they are. Very easy to understand and useful. I personally thank him.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

An essential read for anyone going at it by themselves in the design industry. Often times the questions I had while starting my own thing were answered in the next chapter of the book

[Denys Sergushkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s fascinating to draw on the knowledge and experience of designers and freelancers who have learned how to build successful businesses on their own terms. These business building lessons are for everyone, not just for designers. David’s book answers questions like.

How do I find new clients?
How much should I charge for my work?
It includes ideas about launching your online presence, common business mistakes and on and on.

[Virginia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This books a great overview of how to get started as a freelancer. It's filled with practical advice for a wide range of subjects, from what you need to become a freelancer, to how to network , to some very useful tips for contracts. Bear in mind that this book covers a lot, so it does not go very deep into specifics, so if you are looking for in depth content on say how to write a proposal, this doesn't cover it. Overall, if you are just looking to start out I'd highly recommend it.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

David Airey is a great graphic designer, his books share great information that is relevant and charming. It's a bit of a dry read, however there's a plethora of great information buried within.

[Sofia · Rating 5 out of 5]

lectura ligera que ayuda a entender los básicos de formar una empresa creativa.

[Eman Sultan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a great design book full of advises and reference for anyone who wants to test freelancing and dealing with clients. I got it to do some research about freelancing, yet I was not fully satisfied with it. Therefore, I give it 4 out of 5 starts. For me, I felt that his sole experience was not emphasized as much as I wanted it to be. Moreover, he kept referring to other designers more than his own experience. I believe this book is valuable for design students as it will expose them to the reality of working in the creative field.

[Espen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for anyone starting a design business. Airey supplies a lot of practical advice that I found really helpful. Will be reading this book again!

[Nicole Diaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has great insight and real-world examples for aspiring design business owners

[Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Light read -- less useful than other similar books such as the books by Cameron Foote on the same topic.

[Karen N. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of valuable information and advice. However it was not my favorite book on the subject. It was also a bit dry. It felt like a good reference book rather than a book that you would sit down and read from start to finish. I'd say it this would be a great book for those who are starting out in the graphic design business. I just picked up this book hoping I could gain some new insight working as a freelancer, but most of what was written was nothing new. For an alternative, I would actually recommend "How to become a graphic designer without losing your soul" by Adrian Shaughnessy. I felt that book was an easier read and with more of a voice, but maybe I'm just being bias since I read that book before getting into this industry.

[Mike Bell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loads of helpful information. Scannable for answers to common issues. Incredibly thorough. Many reasons to like it, except it isnã’“æ_± a favorite. It seemed to lack focus and didnã’“æ_± have an overarching point that leads me through. It is more of a reference book than a book for reading, and maybe thatã’“æ_… the point.

[Israel Luna · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books for designers out there. Must read.

[Moses · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really good bits if you are thinking of starting your own design studio or even small business.

[Eduardo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot recommend this book enough for anyone, not just creatives, fixing to work for themselves

[Adam Allport · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, really insightful and helpful for getting the ball rolling as a freelancer. Highly recommend.

[Lynn Seaton · Rating 4 out of 5]

After being out of the design world for some time I found this book refreshing to read. Fresh honest insight to the design business for the solo designer.

[Quinn Corte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clear, quick read, anecdotal, informative, entertaining.

[Fai Ahmed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative, and easy read.

[Julaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great advice. A good and easy read.

[Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Useful & informative read for any designer.

[Jean Simmons · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book a bit discouraging but it gives you a good overview of what's involved in starting a design business, so it was well worth the read.

[Keyani Kay]

Well curated book that touches on a range of concerns and questions that someone considering going out on their own as a freelance designer would find value in these pages. I would also put it out there that anyone considering going out to do business on their own would be able to draw underlying principles and themes from this book that would help them also.