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100 rules for the beginner visual designer

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Netanel Kraus

http://visualdesignrules.blogspot.com

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100 rules for the beginner visual designer

The hundred rules rul es aim to coordinate, present and try tr y to solve the major challenges that will face every designer in their early years in the field. After almost a decade in the profession forms an understanding about the design labor market. There are so many options out there, and with time and experience, many doors open. Friends, contacts, expertise and also challenges which some of them relates to ethics. P.s. In my opinion, the most important group of rules is 65-73, concerning health at office work is in front of the screen. Wish you a useful and fun read Netanel Kraus Note to cover any legal perspective: All of this book, despite being absolutely true, does not constitute anything (official advice or as such, well you know what it means...) that you can whine, complain and/or sue because of. Apart from suing, all other things already happening in reality of employment. C'est la vie.

Netanel Kraus [ Visual Communication, Tehc&Design Tehc&Design Center of Ariel in Samaria ]

2 years in yehoshua/tbwa's (Israeli TBWA's branch) digital department. 2 years of Art Directing in a sector specialized agency. Marketing department in a global HiTech company. Branding studio. Back B ack to HiTech & Freelancing throughout the years. In short.. got to know some of the system. [email protected] http: ht tp://b //bit. it.ly ly/Vi /Visua sual-D l-Desi esigngn-Rul Rules-F es-FB B

http: ht tp://vi //visua sualde ldesig signru nrules les.bl .blogsp ogspot. ot.co com m

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Wish to support s upport?? Awesome! You can donate directly here directly here via PayPal

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Hi, I’m a business. What does it mean "being a business". Some learn full degrees in running business when we are breaking into a saturated market and offer our services. As a business we first need to define and answer basic questions. How are we called. What do we do. What do we wish to do. What does successes means for us. What will be a failure. Our prices. Expences. How do we look in the eyes of people. How can we reach clients (Hint: Not with a computer). And above all - What is our advantage compare to other (price, abilities, experience)?

The Little Big Small Business Book

http://bit.ly/SmallBusinessBook


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Education: Design vs. software Clearly, Clearly, design. if all you got is a limited time and the choice stands between preferring software learning or design learning - so go for design. design absorbs in its best mostly by annoying design chores, from personal stories about projects and discussing design. To watch how an experienced designer reacts to a design in front of him. what does he look at, what would he prefer or ask to change, the face he make. When it comes to software, a teacher helps to understand understand the logic of the program. it's more effective to to learn a software in our free time, instead of putting efforts on long assignments and just focusing in class on understanding what ticks the experienced designer. Softwares can be learned online. yourselves, as an employee you will learn from colleagues until reaching the minimal professional standard. furthermore, software always updates, change and switched. The logic usually stays, sometimes we need to start again from scratch.


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Learn Learn to search one of the first mistakes of almost every designer is to keep materials without any specific current project. there's a few basic elements a designer should keep and all the rest can be kept on the web for time in needs

Manage Your Day-to-Day: Day-to-Day: Find Fi nd Your Focus

http://bit.ly/Find-Your-Focus


4

copyrights Read about copyrights, what you can use or not. A tedious though important subject. Even in commercial stocks there are warning on images which are for press, not commercial (usually when pictures of ordinary people, not models who agreed to show in ads, were taken). Editorial - Images allowed for press and not for commercial use (such as ads). Creative Commons license (CC) - Several types, check Wiki. Public domain - Can be used for commercial, and beyond. Commercial use - For commercial use, Sometimes ccompanied ccompanied by a request for credit. Personal use - Only for personal use, not in order to make a profit. Attribution - Use and give Credit.

The Copyright Zone: A Guide For Photographers & Artists

http://bit.ly/copyright-for-designers


Five

Newsletters Its comfortable, it comes to you in emails, instead of endless browsing in facebook you'll have something else to do inline ar the supermarket. Sign up for a few newsletter about design and every once a while erase the boring ones. Don't try to cover it all, because you won't be able but it's good enough to flip through. You'll be able to go back and read deeper when needed. Another option is to sign up for design centered facebook facebook pages.

The NuSchool

Hacking UI

http://thenuschool.com/

http://hackingui.com/

Branding, Packaging Packaging & Opinion Op inion

Tom Fishburne Fis hburne - Marketoonist Marketoonist

http://bpando.org/

http://tomfishburne.com


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Inspiration Don't go through designed projects for more than 15 minutes a day. It's recommended to examine few projects and try tr y to imitate imitate them.

00:14:59.9 The Graphic Design Idea Book: Inspiration from 50 Masters

http://bit.ly/Inspiration50Masters

Branding, Packaging Packaging & Opinion

http://bpando.org/


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Lectures Lectures About Design Watch lectures about design, but not only. Hearing how people tell on their experiences, methods, mistakes, success, future trends and creative thinking. . e b u t u o y n o e n o h c a e h c r a e s d n a t s i l s ' r e k a e p s e h t e k a t ? n o i t n e v n o c g n i t s e r e t n i n a s ' e r e h t : k c i r t t e r c e S

Resources: www.ted.com/topics/design www.creativemornings.com

Helvetica Movie (2007)

http://bit.ly/Helvetica-Movie


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No need to buy fonts When those line are written Google fonts offers a wide and free selection of quality fonts. A "quality font" means that this fonts contain accurate adjustment between each possible combination of letters. Noteworthy, Many designers find themselves working with about5 Fonts.

Google Fonts

fonts.google.com

Thinking with Type 2nd: A Critical Guide for Designers

http://bit.ly/fonts-n-type


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Buy Softwares Work for a while, see if it's really what you do with your life and then purchase. Softwares cost, but just imagine how many tools a handyman needs and how hard does he work. It's not a must to renew softwares. many proffetionals keep working with old programs. Also, there is no need to purchase every program since there are some free ones.

Free softwares Vs Softwares: Gimp - Photoshop InkScape - Illustrator Illustrator Scribus - Indesign

Adobe CC Education

http://bit.ly/adobe-cc-Guides


A theoretical guide for a Computer

http://bit.ly/99-best-computer

Ten Te n

Buy a PC Some designers will rage at this point, but if you wish for a strong machine to handle the softwares, in a good price, PC is the thing. When it comes to taste some will prefer Mac, no matter the price. There are also who will take a long breath before starting working on a Mac. Important issues to consider: The basic softwares: Photoshop, Photoshop, Illustrator Illustrator,, InDesign, Flash (AnimateCC) require great computers but not super-computers. On the other hand, video editing and 3d softwares require super machines. processor: i5 fits the mission. i7 will fit more for video, rendering, and 3d. Graphics card: medium quality is enough for design softwares. Internal memory (8 or 16): Will allow smooth work with a number of programs at the same time. SSD hard disk: based on flash technology. Relatively new and extremely faster than the regular mechanical hard disk. For example, a computer installed on an SSD hard disk starts in 10-15 seconds and you can start working when everything flies. Power supplier: Keeps from power surge in the winter

Top Rated Graphic’s Laptops http://bit.ly/Laptops-for-Graphics


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Save It might sound weird but you should learn to save. I’ve worked for a long time with Flash, and that was a software which crashes a lot... So we developed a habit, in the studio, to save right before we publish a file f ile to view it attaching a save habit to one of the most common actions with flash (ctrl +s > ctrl+enter). It’s a good habit to attach save act to a common act in every other software. A type of OCD will be helpful in the matter, especially over finding the program crashed and nothing was saved.

Understanding the power of habits

http://bit.ly/about-habits


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The wish for Creativity Try not to adopt this point too much but many customers say they care and wish for creative, in practice, they find it difficult to deal with Creative. On the other hand, it’s important that your portfolio will show creative ability - What will attract customers. In general, customers & job offers require much more creative than actually will be asked during work.

Gary Vaynerchuk’ Vaynerchuk’s advices

http://bit.ly/customer-awesomeness

Deep into the customer side

http://bit.ly/Customer-service-skills


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Copy You’ve probably met the saying of Picasso: “Good artists copy, Great artists steal". The best way to improve as an creator is to copy. One can try to go through the process independently and self improve but it will take time and it would be difficult to make a huge progress. Attributed to Newton, "If I have seen farther than others, it is because I stood on the shoulders of giants" gian ts".. You should learn from others and then find your expression.

Good artist copy, grea artist steal One of the best guides on creativity

http://bit.ly/Steal-like-an-artist


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Advance Advance payment payment Start Start working only after a transit of a partially advance payment. That small ahead payment testify that the customer commits to the process. A plumber won't cover the floor until the payment is arranged. You won't come out of the grocery before you paid for a product. See the Advance payment as a Sketch fee. Until final payment send only non-quality files. Set up payment stages, Payment after each stage. Transfer high-quality files only after full payment. If it’s a returning customer, and trust exists, Of course, we can be more flexible.

**** You. Pay Me.

www.vimeo.com/22053820


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Independent Designer It’s possible to work as an Independent Designer while being an employee. The process is not complicated and the best way to start is to physically go to the authorities. The process in outlines: 1. Open an official business at the authorities. 2. Ask for guidance on writing income, expenses and reporting. 3. Send customers a nicely design receipt. 4. Any question? Talk to the officials because It doesn't work on the phone usually.

Small Business Taxes For Dummies

http://bit.ly/know-taxes


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Learning Ux, Onboarding, Case study, Dark social, Branding, UI, GUI, BTL, ATL, etc. Every day someone comes up with a new term even when there is no need, nee d, and it starts to resemble the Academy. In general, general, we have to remember that, apart from songs, we can find on YouTube explanatory videos. It’s enough to write the name of a term and nibble popcorn or a sweet popsicle during explanations. Secondly, it is possible to simplify any subject. For example: What is UX > User Experience > What “he” sees on the screen and whether it meets what he wants to do and what we want him to do > He needs to enter a username and a password to Log in, so here are two fields to fill up and our logo. Oh... So why did you call it UX? exactly.. About the basics long before the jargon evolved

http://bit.ly/2mHkajr


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Familiarity with software Design Schools do not emphasize software’s learning. They teach the basics, Giving the logic of the software, But real Software expertise is reached by watching professional on Youtube, Reading in forums and, of course, course, during the work. For any software or software expertise, you can find a crazy expert he took himself to teach it. One of the places who contain hours of training on programs and relating matters is Lynda.

Awesome Youtube channel for Photoshop

http://bit.ly/100-phlearn

Awesome resource for after effects

www.videocopilot.net


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Personal project Many professional designers assign themselves a personal project & advice others to do so. One picture p icture a day, Illustration in two, A poster each each week, Designing Desi gning a series of somewhat. Just aside, for fun, without customers or criticizers. Something that is just yours and can be b e shown. sh own.

A list of personal projects

http://bit.ly/daily-projects-inspiration


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Don't take it personal Don't take the job personally. You got a brief, You've designed, probably changes will come from the customer and his secret consultant. of course, you can keep your favorite version for your portfolio. It will be a mistake to murmur over every change that you'll be asked to make, in fact, it would be better to enhance the ethos of service. Answering the customer customer in words words such such as as "Sure" "Sure", " Of course" course",, "Cool" & "Will do". That spirit is the reliable recipe to satisfied returning customers. All of the above until a certain limit, since there should be a limit to a customer interfirance. A customer who complicates a project won't be satisfied although he himself led the project p roject to to a several dead ends. set a price for changes or to charge a higher price from start.

Some more good advices

http://bit.ly/Dam http://bit.ly/Damn-Good-Advic n-Good-Advice-Book e-Book


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Learn code Once I told a programmer HTML and Programming in the same sentence, he laughed and said something like "pftzzz". he laughed because it is programming but it's not really programming, that's the easy part, the basic. It is most recommended to learn HTML and CSS, and even to continue further more to achieve more background knowledge on different programming languages. Designers work a lot with programmers and it certainly helps to know the code environment.

Codecademy

www.codecademy.com

w3schools

www.w3schools.com


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Try Try things. Take upon yourself assignments you’re not sure you can do and try to deal with them. Make it as a habit as employees and as freelancers. In a few years your strengths will reveal. Maybe its management, creative or design, production or in a specific field like Video. How knows.

Pretty Much Everything

http://bit.ly/Draplin-book


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Personal marketing It’s It’s good to keep on a weekly wee kly marketing plan. To showcase a project before friends in the social media, Post a blog, Update a site. Participate in networking meetings, contribute in forums, create freebies and above all - Show yourself and your work to others in different occasions. Marketing is a cumulative activity. In the selling point we will always use the marketing products. Self marketing, especially at the beginning of the professional way, will work best among friends and acquaintances.

The New Rules of Marketing

http://bit.ly/Marketing-rules


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Portfolio Make yourself a website or open an account in behance, flicker or any service that will allow you to showcase your work in a decent way. Better to show few but great projects than creating volume with mediocre projects. It's best to send a link to a portfolio, a quality PDF is also good. And of course, a portfolio can and even should be assembled of fictitious projects. What should you have in a portfolio? Branding, Wedding invitations, Flyers, Ads, Rollups, Websites, Apps, Newsletters, Landing pages, Email signatures, Branded Facebook pages, Book covers, Packages, Exhibition's boot designs etc.

Wordpress templates that fit for a Portfolio

http http:/ ://b /bit. it.ly ly/w /w-c -cub ubic ic

http http:/ :///bi bit. t.ly ly//w-Il w-Illu lusstra tratr


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Practice Marketing Writing It's good to learn marketing writing and deal with content, even if for having the confidence to change texts texts of the t he customer or or a copywriter. Just because sometimes a few words are missing so the paragraph will fit nicely. occasionally, customers themselves will expect you to help them with wording. Read ads and marketing content, try to figure out why is it interesting or what makes it catchy.

The Power of Visual Storytelling

http://amzn.to/2noDvJe

Everybody Writes: Ridiculously Good Content

http://amzn.to/2nbNeSM


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Go to conferences conferences Although the trouble, you definitely should go, physically, to conferences. Not only about design, design, in all kinds of things. The thinking person needs triggers and free time to think. During a talk the mind meets information while floating out of boredom the outcome: Ideas. Furthermore, the sitting itself makes us treat the subject with a more mo re serious way, and here by bringing us to think deeper & evolve a higher awareness. One of the most interesting conferences I went to was about Book design in Bezalel academy in Jerusalem, Israel. And though the lectures were filmed they were never uploaded to the web - which is somewhat upsetting.


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Watch conferences Who got the time to go to all of those amazing conferences. Today, in the internet era, you can watch full conferences from home, during work or listen while running. run ning. There are many available quality conferences, from some years back. All we need is search a bit in YouTube and vimeo until we reach a channel full of goods in issues like marketing, coaching, writing, creative and more. There's no need to listen concetraited, it's enough to semi-listen. Stroll back and forth, Open your mind, Skip the noninteresting parts. It's good to try entering an unfamiliar subject. Definitely not just listening to design's talks, we should be a bit more mo re interesting than that. So you can bright with a common knowledge in the field of the marketer - cars, cosmetics, insurance or whatever it may be. Free TED TV through amazon

http://amzn.to/2murSMI


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Read business literature How to build a winning brand, How to be liked in 90 seconds, Marketing strategies, PR, Management skills, Market segmentation and etc. Those are highly important content that visual designers, for some reason, offen miss. There's plenty of good read in this genre which can be found in public libraries, because, aside few ones, most of the books can be summarized to maybe 10 pages. Another point is the fact that most of the people that visual designers work with are speaking "marketing" "m arketing",, so it's advised advis ed to grasp g rasp some of their wired lingo.

Marketing For Dummies

http://amzn.to/2nbMRYb


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Read creative people's books Books of creative people are a ..meorermahshava.. documentary, and many times we get to watch the full process from the first brief and until the productions productio ns - all of that from the creative view and approach. A book offer a space of time to deep in too the mind who create ideas.

The Creative Code / Noam Manella

http://amzn.to/2n1euTA

No, No, No, No, No, Yes / Gideon Amichay

http://goo.gl/jweMnE http://amzn.to/2mu9dAG ( TED )


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Work in a print house It's hard to understand how there are more than a few designers who have no clue about preparing files to print. That is the main reason why it is worth working for period of time in a print house. Asking how does the printer wish to receive files. That’s an important technical information, the basic. We shouldn’t fear the technical side of our profession. Each area of expertise require technical skills, at least familiarity familiarit y. Whether it is digital and for sure in print - which is more simpler than other fields. Aside of the technical skill, the print house educate the designer to move quickly. A huge step in the path of becoming a design ninja.

Printmaking: A Complete Guide to Materials & Processes

http://amzn.to/2m1wVZ1


Ogilvy on Advertising

http://amzn.to/2muiHfl

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Work in an advertising agency The rhythm is less faster than a print house along maintaining a more quality work (and Overtime), and also having the experience with serious clientele. In an agency designers are exposed to high scale processes. Although each one play a smaller role than in smaller companies, but one can learn a lot in small talks with colleagues in the kitchen. From the first steps in planning and until unt il the final products in the production’s departments. The advertisement agency is a good environment to make connections for the future and in general - to learn and evolve professionally. It’s true, sometimes working in an agency can be exhausted, because of overtimes, but after stabilizing a personal status we’ll be able to finish the day in time without any hesitations. The secret is to put your bag over your shoulder and make a quick turn of “hey, does anyone need help?” - not waiting to an answer - “alright, good evening us all, bye” and leave. There will be ones who will be somewhat unhappy, but one day those fellas will learn to keep keep on their work hours, h ours, or will break down and choose to resign. Or just give up personal life, that is also a possibility.


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Colleagues Make a table somewhere and list the people you know by professions. A few designers, some programmers, copywriter, after effects and 3d artists. It’s good to know people, to evolve together, knowing whom you can contact in time of need, for yourself or for others. Even if just for backup, in extreme cases of an inability for some reason. In long terms, It happens by itself, and many times it even pays.

Leaders Eat Last: Some Teams Pull Together Together and Others Don't

http://amzn.to/2nbHhoP


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Take any work The profession obligates you to deal with all kinds of products and even makes some up. If anyone wishes for a designish thing you have the ability to fulfill it. there are tools and the basic knowledge to help you find out who can turn for advice. Especially as newbies it's advice to take any job, the worst possibility is a failure and an unsatisfied customer, but, then again, most chances are by your side. This is the time to get the experience, to try, to deal and produce a diffrenet type of materials in whatever medium there will be. Bus station's screens or designing lighters.

60 Seconds and You're Hired!

http://amzn.to/2nbGYdC


Boundaries: How to Say No

http://amzn.to/2nbINHw

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Don't take any project Don't try to load too much, certainly not at the beginning. Saying "load" doesn't mean particularly amounts of work. loading can be by annoying customers who drag us with endless changes with numerous phone calls and emails. There are customers and projects we better refuse to. Apologize nicely and tell that you are not available and the current moment or you simply prefer not taking the job. There's an option to set a higher price for unwanted projects or customers, or the price tag changes too. In general, troubling customers are divided into 2 groups. The ones who looks lo oks for setting a final low price even before the beginning of work, and the ones which understand that your time cost money and they are willing to pay for each change by the hour. On the first ones, you can pass or start working with them after an advanced advanc ed payment and send to final file after the full payment. In a case of repeating changes, it's expected that the customer won't be satisfied and will blame you for being "not right".


Delivering Happiness

http://amzn.to/2nbQ3mN

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Be helpful The first customers will be friends or friends of friends or friends of friends of friends. It's always good to talk on the phone and receive a vocal impression.Even if you choose to skip the project, for whatever reason, it's good to dedicate some time and advice some guidance to the customer. Every person will appreciate the time And will consider contacting for future projects, for himself or for friends of his. of course helping shouldn't become using. If consulting happens to be longer you can point on the matter and offer a consulting hour. If the person continues without any will to let go or pay the best option is to use the "advice technique" wonder with him on off topic content, weird, off budget and nonrealistic matters to consider. Recommend on irrelevant sites and talk freely on confidential details like his costs, etc.


The Fine Art Ar t of Small Talk

http://amzn.to/2nbN0et

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Small talk with worthy customers only, keep it short How much can we talk before we start working? a lot. To consult, think again, review few more stuff and then a sudden quiet. All the time will evaporate when the customer will somehow let go from the job, maybe he found a solution or whatever. And what about your time? well... you've just spoken. After a while, we underst understand and that "just speaking" takes time out of our personal life and that in the end, it's a professional consulting for free. Wondering how much different consultants take for a session? it's usually a descent amount. In fact, it's more like of a customer who came to "just consult" with someone who learned and acquired with money and time professional skills. If a customer needs to think - so send him to think after a short, lovable and eye lighting conversation, and invite him to transit an advanced payment when he'll wish to start. Then you'll continue to think and sket sketch. ch.


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The communication process: call - (meet -) email. First, converse a bit, get some impression and of his request. It's good to start with small talk*. Afterward meet (If we or the customer wish for it), And then aim to emails. Small talk at first: It important not to start short and to the point. The work with a customer is a work with a person who wishes for something. Get to know him, find common subjects and be interested. A designer must have patience for people, without any need for help in managing his own costumers.

Get Clients Now

http://amzn.to/2ntv8sP


Strategy and Tactics of Pricing

http://amzn.to/2nbTxpq

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The price offer Do not give a price offer right away away.. It's better telling that we'll mail a proper offer or get back to him in a little while. A price offer is usually relative, structured by negotiation Therefore it's advised to learn the customer and only in a second conversation, or email, or SMS, or whatever - give the price offer. Preferably in an email, it's considered more serious when matters are written. Set a final price, a nonreturn advanced payment. payment stages by schedule or work progress, and the final project. Of course, if we know the price ahead we can say. How to set a price offer: Word document. Logo on top. One line description of the job. Set a payment & A description of the advanced payment portion. Add your payment details. Contact information on the bottom.


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The customer is always right, even if he’s not Really easy to say, but hard to implement. However, a satisfied customer is usually a satisfied customer customer..

Customer Centricity: Focus on the Right Customers

http://amzn.to/2nbLjgW


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Surround your environment with design If we already surf the web, observing designs, it’s good to save some projects for future inspiration. A good trick: Adjust your computer wallpaper to switch every few minutes, showing randomly from the projects we kept.

Draplin Design Co.: Pretty Much Everything

http://amzn.to/2ntxMih


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Ran segal and Lior frenkel Ran segal is a designer and lior frenkel is an electronic engineer. They both are friends and entrepreneur in the startup world. Both of them are focus and practical, documenting documentin g lots of knowledge about combining between life and work, clients, pricing, and entrepreneurship.

Lior Frenkel Frenkel

https://frnkl.co/eng/

Ran segal Vlog

http://bit.ly/ran-segall-vlog

How to Shoot Video That Doesn't Suck

http://amzn.to/2ntHfWJ


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Pen & paper first, Screen second I’m not sure if that's a designish cliche, but if so it’s just emphasizing this principle. There’s some creativeness in healthy distance from the screen. Free environment which is not vector, 2d or one click apart from distraction.

Sketch!: The Non-Artist's Guide

http://amzn.to/2nt4y6r


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Reference Reference before work If we need to design a poster so we better search for a few interesting references. If we need to wireframe a site we should observe good wireframes. If you wish to make a great dinner so you look for amazing suggestions. Oh, dijon mustard?! That sound spectacular. And so when it comes to design. Trick: I’ve worked with a brilliant designer

who used to surround the work file with selected references.

101 Design Methods

http://amzn.to/2mOk6y5


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Learn Font’s names Fonts are part of the professional jargon, Not only an obsessive demand of typography teachers. The ability to express a design language among designers will add points to our value. Saying kerning, leading, designated text fonts, or any expression which sounds good and a bit snobbish. That is our sweet revenge at marketers. Among all of the "blah blah" and other terms, Fonts will really escort us. Times new roman in the newspapers, Helvetica, Tahoma. Old O ld next to new ones.

Thinking with Type, 2nd edition

http://amzn.to/2mOnU2x

Google Fonts

fonts.google.com


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Build yourself a price rate Build a price pr ice rate rate with 4 columns. first column - the product. The other three will be the Minimal rate, the rate for Average costumers and a price rate for clientele who appreciate design and are willing to pay for it.

Pitch creative services to command higher rates

https://youtu.be/wudApUtnEM0

Graphic Artists Guild Handbook: Pricing & Ethics

http://amzn.to/2nKEorw


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Negotiation Read on the subject. A graphic designer without a negotiation skill lacks a huge tool. A basic principle is to ask more so you'll be able to compromise for a price is good enough. Sales and closing methods will help too. Negotiation goes hand in hand with the design process, at the start and also at changes rounds.

Getting to Yes: Negotiating Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In

http://amzn.to/2mUFGms

Conducting Effective Negotiations Stanford Stanford

http://bit.ly/Negotiations-Stanford


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Photo editing Maybe we're not photographers but we should know how to enhance, fix, cut and clean in a quality way. There's a lot of tricks online on skin, hair, colors, etc.

Professional Portrait Retouching Techniques

http://amzn.to/2neYM7I


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Working with a Graphic tablet Wacom’s graphic tablets are the most common. Most professionals use the Intuos series. But for graphics, photo editing and even illustrating the entry level models do quite a good job. Models change with time, and more features are added. It’s much more convenient to edit photos with a graphic tablet. Some fall in love with graphic tablets and through their mouse away, while some freak out just from trying and choose to keep on their familiar mouse.

Wacom Intuos Draw

http://amzn.to/2m7fJ4m


Public domain

48

See Rule 4

Images - free stocks Every designer who worked with an image stock knows how available photos ease on the design workflow. In recent years a respectable and high-quality Sites start offering photos for free, as “public domain”. Recently, it received a further boost by the development of search engines that allow search dozens of those sites at once.

Awesome Public domain Stock

www.unsplash.com

Search engine for Awesome Public domain images

www.pexels.com

Search engine for Awesome Public domain images 2#

www.librestock.com


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Learn to work by yourself, prefer working as a team It’s It’s most comfortable to work as a team, but a lot of times there are blunders blunde rs and we have to perform a set of actions to reach the desired outcome. You should strive for the ability of making each series of actions needed to reach a final quality outcome. Later we see a profound difference between the manager who can do the job and the manager that has a vague idea about what is required in the process.

The Hard Hat: 21 Ways to Be a Great Teammate

http://amzn.to/2mzLpv7


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Eat Outside If you work in a Studio or a similar office environment, make an effort to get out at least for lunch. Preferably Preferably on grass, and even to lie down, a few minutes, on your back.

The Headspace Guide to Meditation and Mindfulness

http://amzn.to/2mUKCHS

Creative


51

Have a life If there's no "life", if we don't go out enough, have no normal relationship, it means something isn't right. What kind of designers are we if we won't go out and drink weird things, won't go to exhibits or just wander around in the streets, if we won't chat with friends. In motivational lectures for designers speakers talk a lot about the importance of the designer's private time.

Advice from My 80-Year-Old Self

http://amzn.to/2mOskpY


52

One pic a day one pic a day as a great exercise who teach to pay attention. A task by which each day will have to find something interesting will make us make an effort to see what others miss that's a must have quality for creative people. Not taking a "selfish" but weird things like upside down traffic lights, odd people, objects who look like figures, a nice tree or simply nice things that stand alone. It's also a nice reminder of the things we did each day.

Read This If You Want to Take Great Photographs

http://amzn.to/2mOlot0


53

Practice creative thinking As kids, we did it naturally. A folded paper would turn to an f-16 and a broccoli was a green hoary monster. We looked at things differently, but then we were educated how to deal with the world. Creative is somehow going back to that old flaky line of thought. Welcome weird thoughts, encourage imagination to wander, find an association or look where other don't - literally, to the other side. There are tricks that help to loosen up the mind.

29 WAYS TO STAY CREATIVE

www.vimeo.com/24302498


54

Rejecting Rejecting the obvious obvious A good start is to identify the obvious and to reject it. For example, if in i n a car ad its obvious to show the car - so we won't. We'll think thi nk on a way to show the idea of speed by blurring the scenery or any other metaphor. Reject the obvious and ask - OK, what now?

Creative Confidence

http://amzn.to/2mxRJCP


55

Work in pulses Like in martial arts, work impulses and don't sink into the design process. It's hard to upgrade during the design, its good to have a quick break. go drink or doodle on a piece of paper. Break the routine, even of for a couple of minutes. Let go and return to work.

Work Smarter Not Harder

http://amzn.to/2mOfSqr


56

Hobbies outside of work Many times designers design in their private time too. A richer designer will be the one who covers more areas. That's why it's good to have hobbies. Movies, kites, cooking, martial arts, writing, photography, etc.

Unbored: The Essential Field Guide to Serious Fun

http://amzn.to/2nfdQ5c

list of hobbies

www.discoverahobby.com


57

Dear dairy It's good to have an organized schedule. Surely when there are parallel projects. Getting used to schedule Gantt, Marking deadlines, Payments, Summits or any professional occasions, interviews and as follow. Scheduling is convenient, easing and important - especially as freelancers. How is that implying creative? Non-directly, being organized free us from worries.

Dilbert’s Dilbert’s calendar

http://amzn.to/2nt8x2u


58

Paper to computer the screen limits our thinking. first, it's good to sketch using a pencil or sculpting. Meaning, whatever, just not first on the computer.

Moleskine Classic Notebook

http://amzn.to/2mOoSM4


59

Breaking Breaking the rules We should first learn design rules, and there are, only then we can keep trying to break them. Don't work in an empty space but sit on the shoulders of the experienced ones. Then you'll be able to jump higher or knock them down. Ho Ho Ho.

Rule 45...

http://bit.ly/45-Logo-Rules


60

Case studies If you're already watching other's projects, you better watch case studies. To see the full process instead of looking at the final product only. Hear the brief, listen to the firsts ideas and the description of the process overall. Usually the important stuff are not shown because they don't look good on screen.

Showcase of Case Studies in Design Desi gn Portfolios

http://bit.ly/Case-Studies-Portfolios


61

Try to learn from everyone ever yone How the garbage man collects the garbage. How the plumber carries his pipes. How a kid picks his nose. Take Take a professional and obser o bserve ve how he does he do something. professionally, Check how experienced designers reach a similar outcome. Observing their way, slowly adopting their methods and improving those.

Wiki how

www.wikihow.com


62

Skip forwar forward d The idea Won't always come. Sometimes it's better to move on, pass for the moment. Sometimes it's better to just hop, In the street, between events, books and over rules.

Feeling Stuck? Design What You Don't Know

http://bit.ly/design-what-you-dont-know

11 best ways to brainstorm creative creative ideas

http://bit.ly/11-ways-ideas

Sprint: How to Solve Big Problems and Test Test New Ideas

http://amzn.to/2mPNDrv


Brand Identity Breakthrough Breakthrough

http://amzn.to/2n5gnOP

63

Why Why-why-why, like an annoying little curious child. Many times, that simple question, reveal the lack of information. Why does the customer want to write this in the ad, Why does he wish to publish an ad there or at all. Suddenly we found out things that should have been known before. Usually, things are "obvious" just because we got used to a schematic way of thinking. When we'll ask, some will laugh like it's a silly question - but then, only after they'll get lost in trying to answer, we might find interesting information. Or they'll simply answer. And there always be those with the huge ego that will say that they knew it all. Even what they haven't known, like they have actually known, but just wanted that we'll ask them so we'll understand more... Branding questions

http://goo.gl/DsjqkA


Techniques for Analyzing Industries

http://amzn.to/2m8Rv9L

64

Previous research Before any project, we have to learn the subject. What have been done, what do you think about what have been done. What did the customer like or not. Don't accept sentences like "I don't want to show you what someone did before" and ask the client to show you what he didn't like. Where we wish to recreate, it helps to know what was done previously. And sometimes the client ask for new, but after seeing new stuff he'll go back to the things he knows.

Health


65

workspace Designers work in an unnatural environment for the body. Sitting in front a screen as oppose to moving freely. As so we are about to spend much time in a close space without no fresh air, with limited movement, surrounded with lots of snacks. The sense of the office workspace can move from prison to a place where we can express our creativity.

Make Space: How to Set the Stage for Creative

http://amzn.to/2nLLpsq


66

The wrist Extended work with a mouse some may cause sores in the wrist. One solution is wearing a small cast which keeps a good position of the wrist. A second solution is an ergonomic weird-mouse who wh o force us to hold him in a certain, and much healthier, way. Third solution: Using a mouse pad with a small pillow or make a tiny cushion with a sock filled with rice. Fourth solution: Using a graphics tablet. Wacom's graphic tablets is an excellent solution. Generally, the forearm should rest on the table.

Mueller Fitted Fi tted Wrist Brace

http://amzn.to/2ngsBoB

Wacom Intuos Draw

http://amzn.to/2nM5S05


67

Eyes Prolonged screen viewing is not good for the eyes. One problem is the lack of a change in focus. We are hard focused only in the short length. Therefore, it's important every once a while to look at various distances. Another problem is that the light from the screen dazzles the eyes. A third problem is that we are, somehow, squinting less causing the eyes to dry. The problems affect on the long term and there are several steps you can and should do. The most important step is to take a hourly break for 10 minutes at least. Step Two: Use eye drops. Third woeful step : glasses, if we make an effort so we may need glasses, There's no need to have them all the time, but we can be aided and diversify. Step Four: Gunnar Glasses.

The Bates Method for Better Better Eyesight

http://amzn.to/2mBn3kQ


68

Gunnar glasses After the use of glasses and eye drops, still, the eye pain didn't stop. After reading an ad that promises wonders using strange glasses called “Gunnar” “Gunnar ”, I corresponded corresponde d with two out of four YouTubers who praised the Gunnars. The Gunnars Glasses do work. It filters the glare from the computer screen. The basic models has a yellow tint but there t here are models without a tint which fits more to Designers. The Gunnars, has a tiny number, like a really weak pair of reading glasses. The Gunnars can be customized with prescription as well.

Gunnar computer eyewear

http://amzn.to/2nM3qXv


69

stress The will to be available, do good work, combining management or/and bad time estimates might lead to a bad work process. False time assessments, Troubles Troubles with files, All kinds of small requests along the project or plans that suddenly demand time. Then the work extended to our late ours, taking parts of our personal life. Phone calls in weird hours and the feeling that we have to answer even if it's not convenience. We can and should answer shortly, or not, or send a text message with a reason. Even a hard to work with person should understand that 22:00 is too late. We can ask a customer/boss to sum all his request in an email instead of holding you on phone for 30 minutes or to meet just for having a meeting. If that's OK with you, so OK. But if a phone call causing stress, now is the time to search for peace of mind.

Headspace Headspace Meditation

http://amzn.to/2mWdEqy


70

Strech & Back Strength Stretch Stretch out every ever y few minutes, every ever y hour get up and stretch your bones. Try to move as much as possible during the day. Either way, you could end the day very stiff, the week in more rigid, the month even more and let's not talk about a year time. Take care of your Back Strength. Not just aerobics. It's important to strength back muscles.

OPTP Stretching Exercise

http://amzn.to/2mPHYBB


71

Shape Yoga, Pilates, Martial arts, Running, Whatever. Keep in shape. If we were working outside, in the fields, so we could've left the matter aside, but we're not. So, it's highly important, for our personal life, to maintain a routine. There are plenty of online programs we can do at home with a video guidance on the computer. computer. once every ever y 2 days, half h alf an hour each day. something.

P90X DVD Workout (AWESOME!)

http://amzn.to/2ngoIQk

CORE DE FORCE - MMA inspired workout program

http://amzn.to/2mzidDT


72

Chair A chair is an investment for long term, & there there are great chair chai r.

Herman Miller Classic C lassic Aeron Task Task Chair

http://amzn.to/2mzjTgN

Office Posture Matters: Matters: An Animated Guide

http://vimeo.com/71441709


73

Screen The height of the screen should be aligned in a direct line with the eyes. There are adjusted screens - such as “Dell Computer Ultrasharp U2415 24.0-Inch Screen LED Monitor”. Another solution is an adjusted holder.

Dell Computer Ultrasharp U2415

http://amzn.to/2n5lXkg

Recommendations


74

Smashing magazine Lots of materials about programming and design. To keep up with changing trends and technologies. They also published some great books - see here.

Smashing Magazine

www.smashingmagazine.com

Smashing Magazine books

http://amzn.to/2mWdFe0


75

Duolingo OK, it's not connected directly to design.. but in case you know already know English quite well, you can also meet other design cultures by learning a second language. Try it, it's free. More resources - here.

Duolingo

www.duolingo.com

Learn Any Language Fast and Never Forget Forget It

http://amzn.to/2n5npmZ


76

Coffitivity Yep, it's kinda weird.. yet worth trying. Play music + coffitivity and click through work.

Coffitivity

www.coffitivity.com

For Emma, Forever Ago

http://amzn.to/2ngEJFU


77

Magazines Read interesting magazines, it's widening out knowledge and inspire. Lots of researches and articles about communication, scicology and society. furthermore - Many layouts to observe! An awesome book about Editorial layouts watch some free examples here!

National Geographic

http://amzn.to/2mPW4mF

Wired

http://amzn.to/2m98Or6


Photoshop Shortcuts Keyboard Skin

http://amzn.to/2mBXL63

78

Piano & Shortcuts Work with both hands, like with a piano. One hand on the keyboard and the other with the mouse. Knowing the main shortcut is highly important. Choosing the software's tool with a mouse each time surely slow us down and even testify about our in professionalism. In most cases shortcuts are similar among the graphic softwares. V

Holding Space Key Ctrl+S Ctrl+Z \ Ctrl+Shift+Z Ctrl+”-” Ctrl+”+”

& more...

Photoshop Keyboard Shortcuts

https://youtu.be/OnXHO8x8W3s


79

Ads of the world Great, Up-to-date Up-to-date Ads from around the world. Videos, Print, etc… etc…

Ads of the world

www.adsoftheworld.com

Mid-Century Ads

http://amzn.to/2mWj7O6


80

Marketoonist Design as a field is included and the marketing work. The Marketoonist is an up-to-date insightful blog about marketing trends.

This One Time, at Brand Camp \ Tom Tom Fishburne

http://amzn.to/2nm4yo7

Marketoonist - Tom Fishburne

www.tomfishburne.com


81

Dilbert We've mentioned "Office oriented environment work" - and there for we read the spectacular Dilbert's books. That is the fastest and sober way to understand what is an "Office hierarchy". It can also reduce frustration.

The Dilbert Principle

http://amzn.to/2nDWi07

The Joy of Work: Dilbert's Guide to Finding Happiness at the Expense of Your Co-Workers

http://amzn.to/2nmdoSJ

Finding a Job


82

Being different Don't send a simple Word-made CV. CV. You don't need to edit a full-length documentary. You can add, even into a simple doc file, something small to shake the interviewer before looking at your portfolio.

Boring

How To To Write A Resume Which Will Get You Hired

http://amzn.to/2nm0FQc

50 CREATIVE CREATIVE RESUME DESIGNS DESI GNS

http://goo.gl/q2B6y3


Best Kept HR 400 Secrets

http://amzn.to/2mVxAIL

83

HR According to Michel Scott (Office) - the "Evil". Differentiate between interviews with an HR, a professional designer, a department's manager or a business owner who is not a designer. A designer looks for professional knowledge and you as being normal. A business owner compares between cost and profit. What does an HR look for?.. the ability to fit a social workplace - Loyalty, kindness, stabili stability ty and an impression impression of profess profe ssion ionali alism sm.. All of that is being based on the intuition that the HR staff acquires with time. In general, the HR personas looks for a confident figure that will arrive on time and do the requested work for a long term.

20 Secrets HR would never reveal

http://goo.gl/jErwKF


84

Negotiation The moment you've finished learning you are not a work-seeker or unemployed, not even graduates. Now you either continue for M.A (Not really..) or a successful freelancer. You have a profession and the toolbox to offer a service that people pay for. When you'll look for the first job, you'll feel what is negotiation and how "they" doing you a favor for even willing to hire you. That's how the system works. When you’ll be business owners and wish for vital rookies lets hope that you’ll make a fortune so you won’t repeat the behavior you might have experience. However, when you’ll search again for a job until you’ll find it - you are actually a great freelancer who work non-stop but looks for a permanent job because you wish for a long term stability. Burn Your Portfolio: Stuff they don't teach in design school

http://amzn.to/2nmjbb7


85

Define your personal minimum When I learn for a test I learn for a 100% 100 % score, but if I'll just pass I'll be satisfied and won’t try to. Trying to have it all is is a great ambition, yet - try tr y to define the minimum in with you’ll be satisfied as well, even as a temporary minimum. Maybe is the salary, the position, a kind of experience that will do good for the resume. Almost everything allow us to learn & profit something. When something doesn’t reach our “minimum’, or conditions have worsened, we can move on. We can keep on our minimum even even if others don’t like it, we don’t need to compromise with everyone. You shouldn’t fight but turn to the heart of the people. Play the game, find the decent way to do the stuff you do. If the minimum is to leave work maximum at six - So apologize kindly, smile and get up at six.

Know Your Onions

http://amzn.to/2mEidCC


86

Searching for work When you look for a job so you should offer yourself for any relevnt option. Use free job offering sites, use manpower companies (very recommended), even apply to parallal jobs. jobs . Someone Som eone looks look s for a programer programe r or a 3d artist - maybe they need also Designers. Let them decide. We need to put the least thought about whats relevent or not, the manpower’s staff can do the thinking. This act reduce the tension.

This Is How to Get Your Next Job

http://amzn.to/2nz6JFw


87

Income and self-realization self-realization Yes, the best job combine interest and great payment. Sometimes the two variables don’t arrive together. If so, what is more important for you - Interest in the cost of a midiate salary or otherwise - Awesome salary in the cost of continued boredom. People often prise fields as Advertising or Hi-tech but hide the less charming parts. It’s not that we can’t have the full package, because we can, and sometimes it’s even pretty easy - especially because it rely on luck.

Cope with the Dark Side of People at Work

http://amzn.to/2mfFsrn


88

Income Vs benefit Sometimes it’s worth to work where you can learn a lot or it will upgrade your resume even e ven in the salary is not high. Sometime, and for a limited time.

Mistakes Mistak es I Made at Work

http://amzn.to/2n9yDXD


89

Knowing the Market After a few years, we start knowing the Design Desi gn work industry. It’s good to browse once a while job offers. Check statistics about salaries, and talk with colleagues about the subject.

Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success Su ccess in a Distracted Distracted World

http://amzn.to/2mfAY3M


90

10 Years from now Define targets. How much would I want to earn in the future, where is that possible, what knowledge is appreciated in the industry? What is the Style of job whom I desire? Look at Seniors in the field fiel d - where are they, what do they do.

The Industries of the Future

http://amzn.to/2mVCqFV


The Ten Commandments for the Graphic Designer

91

Saying NO It's hard to imagine certain situation until meeting those. Designers who create might encounter different request - which won’t fit with their values. What if you’ll be asked to design an anonymous ad against a figure. If you’ll be asked to work at the expense of your family time. If you’ll be ordered to sabotage files before sending them to the customer. What if someone will wi ll try tr y to use your access to a database with personal details of subscribers from a minisite. What if someone will use you to know how to take advantage of a young designer starting out. When working with people we encounter bizarre realities. Sometimes it’s hard to stick to principles Becuase it might cause us out job or hurt it. We need to know how to say no.

The Power of No

http://amzn.to/2nDSmMX



92

Do not fear threa threats ts The moment a senior figure threats you is the signal for a job search. There is no reason to be intimidated or suffer from oppressive attitude by a loud boss. Do not be afraid. you can answer and ask politely, "Please do not threat" or complain anonymously directly to the CEO or HR if it is a large company. It’s easier to stand for normal behavior when our position is well established - by a acquiring the expertise in technicals matters others avoid or because of seniority that gives a breathing of unemployment benefits and compensation pay pay..

The No Asshole Rule

http://amzn.to/2nE6sxV



93

Don’t argue with those who Don’t don’t understand Often designers are asked to do thing that are false from a design prespective and we do so just to show that it is incorrect or see how applicant falls in love with his "work" and prefer it. Sometimes there’s nothing we can do, Some don’t get Design and has the power to decide. Clients, managers and senior designers who received the ability to make the final decision. You better not argue with those who do not understand because even if they’ll consider your opinion with great effort - most chances you won’t get any credit. Invest in clients who value your opinion about Design.

Get Clients Now!

http://amzn.to/2mfFnUF



94

How to Win Friends Friends and Influence By Dale Carnegie If you wish to work with people, you should know how to communicate with people. Designers are usually supported by Middlemen - Account planners, managers, etc. ones with a more developed social component. This book is a door for a deep insight into customer relations and service providers. You should read and browse every year in it. This book upgrades people with normal social skills to have super social skills - what leads to open doors.

How to Win Friends & Influence People

http://amzn.to/2n9LmJF



95

Do >= Call + Talk + Read If you make more than Blunder, Browse and Stare at the same time so you will self-develop a lot more. Anyone who would spend more time learning will find himself ramble knowingly and then become silent because of the unease created by noticing to be left behind. Unease from the dozens of medium sized projects and amazing people who first of all do and only then speak.

Do More Better: A Practical Guide to Productivity

http://amzn.to/2mEbU20



96

Priorities: “Inc “Income” ome” vs “Life “Life”” Every thing has its drawbacks and advantages. Everything advantages. Employee and freelance worker, in any work category. Among a lot of variables of wages, conditions, creation, company, location, hours, a daily breakfast with cookies, people who govern with an iron fist on the air condition’s temperature and bosses. What is more important to you? In a case of a necessary situation will you compromise on your personal life or career. If you value life then it is worth noticing that work does not Grind your spirit, if Relationship and family are important then set a proper limit for your work availability. List of importance helps notice that highly points won’t be dissolved by lower listed points.

Balance Me: A Realist's Guide to a Succ S uccessful essful Life

http://amzn.to/2n1SuaF



97

Ship it If someone wakes up last minutes with changes so he's not OK. It doesn't matter whether he is a manager or a client. But, in real time, you're not gonna insist because we'll rather finish the project instead of continuing in endless discussions. The "Ship it" principle by the guru Seth Godin emphasize an important point while going against perfection that draws us back from the finish line. air the project, Publish, Show. Afterward, update a version or edit once more. call it a beta or not. Don't Don' t wait too long, someone might mi ght reach your goal before you, it can get lost, or maybe just because there's t here's no real reason to delay. Unless there is.

Seth Godin: Quieting the Lizard Brain

http://vimeo.com/5895898



98

Honor credits A designer deserves a credit for his work. Creators Creat ors remember everything ever ything they've made, no one see herself as a tiny part. Respect everyy designe ever designerr, complement them, Ex Excite cite by their work (Exciting leads to learning).

Carrots and Sticks Don't Work

http://amzn.to/2n23pkC



99

You can't satisfy everyone ever yone There will be someone that will be upset no one went fully with his idea, for not gettif enough credit, for imagining the outcome differently, and some just find it hard to complement others. Just ignore nicely. Take the criticism home cut it, burn it. Then through what's left of it in a loosy Allie, behind a failing hummus place.

Coping with Difficult People

http://amzn.to/2mEroTs

100 You've got a toolbox for making the world better and happier. Do it!

Follow updates on Facebook & Share! https://www.facebook.com/ Vis Visual.D ual.Desig esign.Ru n.Rules les/

100-rules-for-the-visual-designer_640x960.pdf

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