Graphic Design Survival Guide:

I'm a graphic designer with over a decade of experience working with small businesses and Fortune 500 companies around the globe. Throughout my journey, I've learned some hard-won lessons that I'd like to share with you. My goal with this article is to give you key insights that I picked up along the way so you can avoid those pitfalls and thrive as a graphic designer.

I learned the hard way, so you don't have to.

Have you ever dealt with a project or client that made you want to rip your hair out? I know I have! While it's easy to put all the blame on the client or project, most of these frustrating encounters can be prevented. I've learned these lessons the hard way so that you don't have to.

The Indecisive One

One time, I had a client who requested over 40 revisions to her logo. Thinking I was done after the 10th revision, I was frustrated when she came back with more changes. Young as I was, I naturally blamed the client. "This is just unreasonable," I muttered to myself as she asked to see another version in blue with a gold outline.

This instance taught me the importance of setting clear expectations and boundaries at the start of the project. Make sure to cover things like the scope of the project, the number of revisions included, as well as a timeline. Setting clear expectations early can prevent a lot of headaches later on.

The Penny Pincher

Another client approached me to commission a brand identity system and an e-commerce website. The problem was his budget was substantially smaller than the project value. Taking on the project, I was sure I could make it work, but I quickly realized I'd have to put in a lot of free hours to get the job done. As the project progressed, I lacked motivation because I knew my time was not being properly compensated. This lack of drive caused me to stress, dread the project and procrastinate.

Worst of all, my procrastination left the client in the lurch after his deadline passed and the work still wasn't completed. After the (late) completion and handoff, I issued him a full refund. Feeling foolish for taking on the project in the first place, I realized that all of that time, stress and forfeited opportunities for paid work could have been avoided. I learned the hard way that it's better to be upfront about budget constraints and adjust the scope accordingly. The client's budget does not dictate your rates, and it's okay to politely decline a project if it is not the right fit.

The Puppet Master

I once had a client who wanted control over every detail of his design, down to the pixel. I'm talking firetruck red text on a forest green background (Anti-design, before it was a thing). I felt like a puppet. It was my hand on the drawing tablet, but he was pulling all the strings. This resulted in a cluttered, unprofessional design that didn't accurately reflect the client's brand.

As a brand new designer, I hadn't developed the confidence necessary to advocate for design best practices. I felt lucky just to be handed a project. How could I possibly have the audacity to tell the client no? As we got close to wrapping up the project, he asked me what I thought. I cautiously explained why the design didn't work, and he said "Well you're the designer. Do what you think works best." Just like that.

I learned the importance of listening to the client's needs, standing up for design best practices, and making recommendations that will result in a successful project. Your customers hire you for a service, and trust that you are an expert in your field. Don't be afraid to speak up if it is in the client's best interest.

Poor communication is often at the root of many of the difficulties that arise with clients. Miscommunication can lead to misunderstandings, missed deadlines, and frustrated clients. To avoid these issues, it's crucial to establish clear lines of communication from the outset and to ensure that everyone is on the same page.

For example, I once had a client who expected me to complete a project in a much shorter timeline than I had originally quoted. I didn't realize this until it was too late and I was already working on the project. The client was unhappy and I was stressed, but we were able to resolve the issue by having an open and honest conversation about our expectations.

To ensure effective communication with clients, it's important to ask questions, to listen carefully, and to document all agreements and commitments.

Understanding the brief is key to delivering a successful design project. The brief is essentially a set of instructions that outlines the client's goals and expectations for the project. Understanding the brief is essential for setting the right expectations, choosing the right design approach, and delivering a design that meets the client's needs.

To ensure that you understand the brief, it's important to ask questions, to clarify any unclear or ambiguous points, and to keep the brief as a reference throughout the project. It is also important to constantly keep the brief in mind during the design process. This is not the time to try out that trendy new font you purchased and try to bend the brief to fit your style or mood.

For example, let's imagine a client approached you for a sleek, minimalist brand identity system for their corporate-facing Point of Sale system. If you delivered a trendy, retro-inspired design (that you've been dying to design), it doesn't matter how good it looks if it doesn't meet the client's needs.

Time management is a critical part of any design project. Poor time management can lead to missed deadlines, stressed-out designers, and frustrated clients. To avoid these issues, it's important to set realistic deadlines, to prioritize tasks, and to regularly assess your progress.

Here are some tips to help you make the most of your time:

Time management tips that work

• Prioritize your tasks. Make a list of everything you need to do, and then rank them in order of importance. That way, you’ll know where to focus your attention first.
• Don’t be afraid to delegate. If you have too much on your plate, delegate some of the smaller tasks to someone else. It’ll free up your time and allow you to focus on the tasks that really matter.
• Set achievable goals. If you have a long list of tasks, break them down into smaller, achievable goals. This way, you can celebrate your progress along the way, and stay motivated.
• Make use of technology. There are plenty of tools out there that can help you stay organized and on track. Try using a project management tool like Asana or Trello, or a time-tracking app like Toggl.

Making just a few small changes in your workflow can help you stay on top of your time management, and keep your work and life in balance.

We all know the feeling - it's 2AM, you're staring at your computer screen, and your client's deadline is approaching faster than a Macbook Pro with a solid-state drive. But, just like a well-designed logo, it's important to have balance in our lives. These tips will help prevent your brain from devolving into the design equivalent of a pixelated, over-compressed image.

Why designers get burnout:

It's like trying to upscale a photo that's been taken with a potato - no matter how much time you put into it, it just seems impossible. Designers face a lot of pressure and often work long hours to meet tight deadlines, leading to burnout. our time is often stretched thin. We have multiple projects, deadlines, and clients to handle. And let's not forget about the revisions, feedback, and edits that come with every project, and where the heck did I save that file?!

I once had a client who wanted changes made to his design every hour on the hour. We were up against a tight deadline, and the client completely changed the concept when we were halfway through with the project. We only had half the time we needed to finish, and the designer I was working with up and quit once the client became demanding and verbally abusive. He kept me on the phone for hours at a time, as if more pressure would make the work faster. That entire project was like the emotional equivalent of trying to draw a straight line on a Wacom with a mouse - painful and frustrating. By the end of it, I felt like I had just run a marathon and I was completely and utterly exhausted physically (ow my shoulders and neck), mentally and emotionally.

Luckily there are steps you can take to prevent stress and burnout, and measures to take to recover if you're already there.

How to Prevent Burnout

• Take breaks: Regular breaks are important to help you recharge and come back to your work with fresh eyes.
• Set realistic expectations: Don't overload yourself with too many projects at once, and be honest with yourself and your clients about how much work you can take on.
• Prioritize self-care: Make time for activities you enjoy, such as exercise, hobbies, and spending time with friends and family.
• Change things up: Try to switch up your projects and work on different types of projects to avoid becoming bored or stuck in a rut. Try engaging in fun design challenges to keep your design skills sharp and try new things.
• Learn to say no: It's okay to turn down work if you're feeling overwhelmed, and taking care of yourself should be a top priority.
• Stay organized: Having a system for managing your work and deadlines can help reduce stress and improve productivity.
• Seek support: Talk to friends, family, or a therapist if you're feeling overwhelmed or burned out. You don't have to go through it alone.
• Take time for learning and growth: Attend workshops, conferences, and take online courses to keep your skills sharp and continue learning and growing in your field.
• Get involved in the design community: Connecting with other designers can be a great way to find support, inspiration, and new ideas.
• Set boundaries: Set clear boundaries between work and personal time, and make sure to take the time to fully disconnect and recharge.

How to Recover from Burnout

Sometimes, despite our efforts to prevent it, we get burned out anyway. Here is a checklist to help you recover quickly and get those creative juices flowing again.

• Do something else you enjoy: Step away from the computer and take a break. Go for a walk, read a book, or engage in another activity that you enjoy.
• Change Your Scenery: Travel to a new location or simply change your work environment. A change of scenery can help you get a fresh perspective and renew your creativity. Try working in your favorite coffee shop for a day, or on your patio if the weather is good. Even moving from one room to another can make a huge difference in your mood.
• Connect with Other Designers: Join a design community or attend design events. Talking to others who understand your work and the pressures you face can help you feel less isolated. Behance is a great social media platform to connect with other designers, network, get inspiration and show off what you've been working on!
• Practice Self-Care: Take care of your physical and mental health. Exercise regularly, eat well, shower and get enough sleep. Too many designers have neglected their self-care routines amidst chaotic projects. Prioritizing your own well-being is just as important. The project can wait.
• Talk about it: If you're feeling overwhelmed, consider speaking with a therapist. A mental health professional can help you work through your feelings and develop strategies for managing stress.
• Get Inspired: Check out design blogs, attend design events, and read design books. Staying up-to-date with the latest design trends and techniques can help you get back in touch with your passion for design. My favorite go-to's for inspiration are Behance, Pinterest and Designspiration.
• Try Something New: Experiment with a new design software, try a new design challenge , or work on a personal project. Doing something different can help reignite your passion for design.
• Focus on the Positive: Keep a positive attitude and focus on the things that make you happy about your work. Remember, design is a passion, not a burden.

And remember, just like a well-designed portfolio, you are the sum of your experiences and taking time for yourself will only make you better in the long run.

As a graphic designer, receiving feedback can be a double-edged sword. On one hand, it's an opportunity to improve your work and hone your skills. On the other hand, it can be challenging to hear criticism and know where to start making changes. However, just like perfecting your font selection skills, learning to objectively approach feedback is crucial to success in the field.

Think of feedback as a spell-checker for your designs. Feedback from others can provide fresh perspectives and highlight areas for improvement, just as a spell-checker catches mistakes you might have missed. And like a spell-checker, feedback isn't personal. It's not a critique of you as a person, but rather a critique of your work.

Imagine you ordered a steak at a restaurant, but the waiter returned with chicken instead. Sending the order back is not a reflection on the quality of the chicken, it just wasn't what you had in mind. In the same vein, receiving feedback on your designs is not a personal attack, it's just not aligned with the client's vision. Try to step back and view feedback objectively to make the most of this opportunity to grow and improve.

It can be difficult to detach from your designs, especially after putting in a lot of hard work and creativity. However, it's essential to remember that your designs are a means to an end: effectively communicating a message and meeting the client's needs, even if that means deviating from your initial vision.

So, adopt a positive attitude towards feedback and be open to making changes as needed. By doing so, you'll be on the path to creating designs that are not only aesthetically pleasing, but also effective in their messaging.

As a graphic designer, it's important to value your work. This means setting payment expectations and ensuring that others value your work too. Here are a few tips to help you get paid for your designs.

• Don't do free work. First and foremost, don't do free work unless it's a passion project. Doing free work can lead to undervaluing your skills and taking on projects that don't pay. Second, remember that exposure is not payment. You might be told that exposure will lead to more work, but that's not always the case. Make sure you're getting paid for the work you're doing.
• Put it in writing. Negotiating contracts that work for both parties is one effective way of ensuring that your payment is secured. While this doesn't necessarily ensure you won't have trouble collecting payment, it does afford you legal protection to payment. Contracts also help to set clear expectations, and ensure that both parties understand the scope and terms of the agreement.
• Escrow is an agreement wherein a neutral third party holds onto money or property during a transaction. The third party will only release the money or property if both the buyer and seller agree to certain terms. This helps ensure that the transaction is fair and both parties are protected. Most online graphic design marketplaces like Upwork and 99Designs have an escrow payment system. The downside is those usually charge a fee- anywhere from 10-20%.
• Invoices can be a great option for submitting for payment to your client. It is one of the most organized ways to keep track of incoming and outstanding charges. There are lots of options out there, including Quickbooks and Square.
• Deposits can be a great way to ensure that you are paid for your work. You can consider using a half-upfront model. This means that you get half of the payment upfront and the other half once the project is complete. This can help to ensure that you're getting paid and that the client is happy with the work you're doing.

I hope that this article has been helpful in providing some key insights into some of the common hardships new designers face. By following the tips and advice outlined here, you can avoid the pitfalls that I've encountered and continue your journey as a graphic designer with a few more tools in your toolbox.

Remember to communicate effectively, understand the brief, manage your time, wellbeing, and value your work. Embrace feedback and use it to your advantage, and never be afraid to say no to free work.

Thanks for reading, and happy designing!

Connect with me on IG @ashleycannuli