How to be a Graphic Designer, Without Losing Your Soul

by Adrian Shaughnessy

Published to instant acclaim in 2005, our best selling How to Be a Graphic Designer without Losing Your Soul has become a trusted resource for graphic designers around the world, combining practical advice with philosophical guidance to help young professionals embark on their careers. This new, expanded edition brings this essential text up to date with new chapters on professional skills, the creative process, and global trends that include social responsibility, ethics, and the rise of digital culture. How to Be a Graphic Designer offers clear, concise guidance 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 new interviews with leading designers, including Jonathan Barnbrook, Sara De Bondt, Stephen Doyle, Ben Drury, Paul Sahre, Dmitri Siegel, Sophie Thomas, and Magnus Vol Mathiassen.

Genres: Design, Nonfiction, Art Design, Art, Business, Reference, Creative

160 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2005

Reviews

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked up this book solely based on its title, which I found to be, disappointingly, misleading. It would be more accurately titled The Practical Aspects of Being a Designer That No One In Art School Bothered To Teach You. It weighs the advantages of working for a firm versus going freelance, talks about the process of finding clients and proposing work, and provides a number of other pragmatic tips for the working designer. These are all unbelievably valuable, but not what I was expecting from the title, which led me to believe it would be an explication of the socially conscious uses for design. Though I’m glad I read through this book, I’m still looking for the book I thought it was.

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an excellent resource for freelancers in general. Shaughnessy is a graphic designer by trade, but his insight into what it takes to become a business professional in the creative world is invaluable. I would recommend this book to writers, artists, house-painters... pretty much anyone who works from home.

[Laura Eydmann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read this before… when I first became a student. It was on the reading list, and I had heard good things, so I picked it up and read bits and pieces here and there. Now I’m in my second year of freelancing and in the middle of trying to update my website, get more exposure and improve my skills, and I thought it would be a good place to start.

This book is full of gems, that I have found extremely helpful for specific elements of my work and in general. In the first chapter, Shaughnessy discusses attributes needed by the modern designer and I found myself nodding along with him in agreement – I spent my childhood copying lettering off everything I coudl without even realising what it was I enjoyed about it, and some of the habits he discusses are definitely habits that I have picked up since becoming a designer.

The book is split up into sections based on different areas of being a graphic designer… finding a job, working for yourself, or someone else, freelance work, setting up a studio, which are all useful regardless of whether you think it’s relevant to you or not. I design freelance, and I am happy doing so, but I still read the studio parts of the book, and still found them helpful.

I found that I am not alone in the big bad world of Graphic Design, and that some of the fears and insecurities I have are shared by designers all over the world. It’s reassuring to know that you’re not the first student to come out of University and not find a job straight away, and that this doesn’t make you a bad designer. There are also loads of tips and advice from many different designers on different ways to approach briefs, finding work, self initiated work and dealing with clients, and I know I am going to keep coming back to this book as a reference tool time and time again.

There is also a brilliant appendix with organisations, websites, books and other designers to check out, a wealth of information and inspiration. There are a few interviews throughout the book with various different practicioners which are invaluable for adding another perspective and more advice on different subjects and issues raised in the book.

If you are, or are planning on becoming a graphic designer, this book is a must-read. This book has helped me focus on important things within my career, and has some invaluable advice.

[Maryam Ansari · Rating 3 out of 5]

The practical information and tips are a bit outdated for 2020 but the gist of the thing is helpful for any young graphic designer.
All in all though, I believe it's overrated among all the books on graphic design.

[indigo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Una buena lectura para diseñadores. Comenzando con el título, es un libro que llama mucho la atención y su contenido ayuda a cualquier diseñador independientemente de la experiencia o los años que tengas. Creo que si está dirigido o podría servirles más a diseñadores que acaban de graduarse y no saben que hacer, pero para ser un libro que fue publicado hace varios años (creo que 2004??) El contenido sigue siendo relevante. En mi opinión eso es algo bastante complejo de lograr ya que en el ámbito creativo todo avanza, emerge y pasa de moda MUY rápido. Hay algunas cosas que ya no aplican tanto o que podrían no servirle a un diseñador que ya tenga más experiencia peeero en general es una muy buena lectura para empezar con libros de diseño.

:)

[Radu Mureșan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spre surprinderea mea, aceasta carte nu a avut (asa de multe) informatii generice pe care le repeta la fiecare 10 pagini... da, la tine ma uit, William Lidwell -_-

[Daniel Rocha · Rating 1 out of 5]

Se esse livro fosse um limão, não rendia meio gole de limonada

[gaiko · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got halfway through and now I am changing my major to say the least. As in, I am no longer going to be a graphic designer. Whether this has anything to do with me having/not having a soul I’m not sure yet but good read nonetheless.

[alex ✨]

was curious about this one but the formatting is actually hurting my eyes. as a designer I think we need to remember what our design is meant for instead of doing whatever our heart desires.

[Deniz Cem Önduygu · Rating 4 out of 5]

I admit, I was a bit worried about the "without losing your soul" in the title of the book before starting, but Adrian Shaughnessy turned out not to be nearly as romantic as I expected; he even argues that self-initiated projects ("personal projects") usually are not a good way to promote oneself and get new clients – something that doesn't resonate well with the title, and something I don't agree with even though I don't believe in souls.

Interestingly, there are a few paragraphs where Shaughnessy is really soul-romantic at the beginning and they sounded so wrong to me that I even thought of dropping the book. I'm glad I continued because the rest was a gem, full of discussions and ideas that I've been thinking and talking about for years. The writing is conversational and humorous, and he generously exhibits his talent for making fun of himself – an important threshold for tasteful intelligence in my book.

Full review here.

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another book that is easy to pick up and put down for inspiration. It wasn't something I read in order and will more than likely dip into here and there again in the future.

[Dave Emmett · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a pretty good book. It covered a lot of the less glamorous areas of becoming a designer: things like actually getting a job and dealing with difficult clients. It also discusses the benefits/downsides of getting a job in a studio, in-house, as a freelancer, or setting up your own studio. I’m still not entirely sure where I plan on heading once I’m done school, I think working for an existing studio would be pretty cool, but I don’t want to rule anything out just yet.

I should note that while this book is geared towards graphic designers, the advice in it applies to probably 90% of design disciplines. I have no intention of becoming a graphic designer, but almost everything in it was relevant.

[Cathy · Rating 2 out of 5]

contrary to what the title states, this book won't tell you how to be a graphic designer.

it WILL tell you what to do once you've acquired the software skills, graduated from a fine arts school, developed an eye for design, and found a partner with whom to start your own agency. it will tell you "how to be an experienced graphic designer".

so it didn't do that much for me - a lot of common sense advice, a few informative interviews with eminent designers, and a page layout that was easy on the eyes. not much help for those just starting to get into the field or those without any design background. maybe i'll give it a second try after i get into and graduate from otis.

[Tony · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book several years after completing my BFA in Graphic Design, I wish I would have read it my last year of school. This books gives great insight on the structure of the graphic design world from the perspective of successful working designers. It informs readers about freelancers, small offices, larger ad agencies and corporate in-house in the contemporary work place. A quick read and is definitely helpful for young graphic designers.

[Brie Masalunga · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book has very practical information about the general practice of graphic design. The advices were a bit common sense, but it still gives a good foundation for those who are new in the field. Some of the advices were also outdated, but you can still get the valuable learning from it and adapt it to modern technology or practice today. Read this if you want general practice knowledge that you can come back to anytime.

[Farhana Faruq · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I read this book right after graduating - or even before. Although I'm ancient and have been in the graphic design field for a while now this was still very interesting and I still picked up a few pointers here and there. The ending is a collection of interviews by other designers, it was okay. If you can at least read the beginning of the book you'll benefit quite a lot from what's shared.

[Jennie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Useful book for the business end of graphic design. I liked the exterior design and color scheme of the book, but I thought the layout of the inside pages was a little awkward, calling attention to the white space and away from the text itself.

[Chrissy · Rating 4 out of 5]

When my boss at work (the VP of marketing) saw this book on my desk at work he said 'gosh, does being a designer really put your soul at risk?' Well, yes. At least our art soul. So for those who are in the designer boat its a good read.

[Fai Ahmed · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fantastic & perfect book for freelances and artists who wanna starting out, it''ll teach you things that Art school won't bother to teach you.

[Tariq Yosef]

"Being a designer without losing your sanity"

[Anzhelika]

How to Be a Graphic Designer Without Losing Your Soul by Adrian Shaughnessy is one of those books that feels like it’s meant for anyone who’s trying to navigate not only the world of design but also the challenges of being a human being in the professional world. It’s an honest, practical guide. As I read through it, I couldn’t help but think that much of the advice is self-explanatory. After all, a lot of what Shaughnessy discusses, such as the importance of apprenticeships, networking, or the balance of work-life ethics, is the kind of basic knowledge many of us have heard before. However, this book presents those common ideas in a way that puts them into words and structures them so they’re easy to absorb and apply. It’s like talking to a wiser friend or a parent who has been through it all, but can articulate things you may have known in the back of your mind but never fully understood or organized. Shaughnessy doesn’t sugarcoat things. He presents everything in such a straightforward manner that you begin to understand why these seemingly obvious ideas are the key to success. It’s a reminder that sometimes the best advice comes in the form of simplicity and experience. At its core, How to Be a Graphic Designer Without Losing Your Soul is a perfect read for anyone starting out in the design world, or even for those who have been in it for a while but need a bit of perspective. It’s a no-nonsense guide to navigating a creative career, and in a world full of complex challenges, Shaughnessy’s wisdom is a refreshing breath of clarity.

[saraanshauthor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up this book after a little bit of exhaustion with the thought of what I should expect in the future.

Author Adrian shared what we are already aware of (maybe because I read the second edition), but reading the same thought from another creative man and from another country brings connection in terms of hustle, fear and learning.

I am satisfied to know that my concerns are not wrong or exaggerated.

WHAT I LIKE ABOUT THIS BOOK?
Connectivity, some new tips and interview sections which brought the visions and perspectives of the graphic designer from different backgrounds.

I liked the Corey Holmes interview the most!

ANYTHING WHICH I DON'T LIKE?
Not really, because the expectations were already clear. I was a little bit aware of the unpleasant truths and tasks I need to work on as a graphic designer.

But yes, be alert regarding new updates and trends that happen in the graphic design job market.

WHO CAN READ THIS BOOK?
Any graphic design students, interns, employees, art directors, businessmen or creative artists can look for this book. This book can save a lot of time for the graphic designers who are freshers.

[Ted · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the title, I initially thought this book would be narrowly focused on design activism (social, political, environmental, etc.), but it turns out to be more of a comprehensive overview of the design profession and creative industry.

Reading this 20 years after its original release, it's impressive how much "How to be a graphic designer..." advice has stood the test of time. I would recommend this to any early-career designer or student. For those with more experience there's still value here, but seasoned professionals are not the target audience.

However, on the "...without losing your soul" bit --Adrian Shaughnessy never fully cracks the code. While there is practical advice on ethics, client choice, and sustainability, the book is less persuasive when it comes to showing designers how to truly avoid the "soul-losing".

Two decades on, the author's then-optimism made me wonder -- have graphic designers actually been, or can they ever be, effective change-makers? Was the early-aughts optimism realistic? Yes, Shepard Fairey made a poster for Obama, but ExxonMobil still has an in-house design team.

I still recommend this book for what it offers designers, but if your priority is real-world change, it’s worth asking whether graphic design is the most effective vehicle.

[Charles · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this for class, and found a fair amount of helpful, real world examples and advice. The humor is dry and worked for me, but not many of my classmates. It's capped off with interviews, which vary wildly in helpfulness but are arranged alphabetically by last name, so it's a bit of a jarring way to wrap up a book. Overall it was a good read, but there may be better on the market for what it does. What it did not do adequately, in my opinion, is answer its own title question, how to pursue something one is passionate about under capitalism without making choices that sacrifice ethics, joy, or both. There are probably better books for that subject, too, although no one really knows the answer.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this to be a great resource for those just beginning their design careers, particularly recent graduates. Even though I was familiar with much of the content, it served as a helpful refresher on key design principles.

However, its fifteen-year publication date means that some of the content now feels quite dated. (ex. submitting a printed resume in person! gasp!) Despite this, it made for a fascinating read, almost like a historical document, highlighting the evolution of the design landscape since its release. I'd love to read an updated version addressing current realities like remote work, online applications, and UX/UI design.

On a more wholesome note, reading this reminded me of how much I love what I do :') and how much I value learning as it relates to my professional career.

[Robert Laing · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book for graphic designers interested in furthering their knowledge of the practical implications of a career in design. Contains many useful nuggets of wisdom about all aspects of graphic design, besides the actual act of physically designing.

I took off 1 star because a few of the examples come across as a little bit dated, and as I'm in the early stages of my graphic design education, I can't vouch for how effective the author's approach is in the contemporary design world. That said, the advice given seems very good, and I will perhaps revisit this review once I have been able to implement some of the techniques from this book and measure how effective they really are.

[Abi Nottingham · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found a lot of little gems of wisdom in this book. The author’s style is straightforward and there’s basically no fluff to be found, and as it’s split into regular sections it’s easy to digest. The book is obviously one successful designer’s opinion, so it’s to be taken with a pinch of salt, and although it’s an updated version I still think a few things are a bit outdated. Saying that, I think this book is worthwhile for any budding designers or artists, even if you skim the bits you don’t think are relevant.

[Samanta · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book but it was not exactly what I have expected from it. I think the book is mostly suitable for a freelance designer or a designer thinking to start her/his own business.

There is a lot of practical advice about finding the clients, setting up a studio, working as a freelancer and overcoming your fear of failure and fear of ideas.

The title is great but not really suitable for this book as the question of ‘How to be a graphic designer without loosing your soul’ wasn’t really answered.

[Cindy Buckshon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my second time reading this book, and I enjoyed it just as much. It is extremely well written and easy to read. I found myself finished it in two days. There is a lot of practical information, but it also gets into the thinking and philosophy that is the foundation for a successful design career. Each chapter has a short interview with a successful designer. The layout of the book is lovely and very creatively done. I found it as valuable as a graphic designer with ten years of experience as I did when I was just finishing my design education.

[Lio Ariston · Rating 5 out of 5]

I saw a bad review for this book saying it didn't lean into the title as much as they were hoping. That it main covered the ins and outs of what it means to be a graphic designer. While this book does cover mostly freelance work where you engage with each step of the design process, Adrian brings us back again and again on how we can work with clients and ourselves to keep our ideas in our designs (for the most part). I think the not losing your soul is about pushing towards where you want to see graphic design headed, and not just designing solely for the sake of a paycheck.