The system works!

A couple of posts ago, I wrote about the value of keeping in touch. I was delighted to receive the following note from Nigel Gordijk yesterday. Nige is the Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Master Designer at the helm of Common Sense Design in Brighton, England (soon to be based near Toronto, Canada). He’s also my Creative Latitude coconspirator. Here’s what Mr. G. wrote:

“I read your latest blog piece about keeping in touch with clients. I sent my Christmas cards out last week and the next five days flooded me with meetings with clients I haven't spoken to in months! Thousands in billings that will keep me busy to the end of February!”

Ha! And you thought I was just writing all this for my health. Not so. This stuff is tried, tested and true. It just plain works.

Think about Nigel’s effort for a moment. Some holiday cards, a bit of postage and a short walk to the mail box. How much could that cost? Twenty bucks (or in Nigel’s case, roughly 10.40 pounds sterling)? It was probably a lot less. Yet, this small marketing task will reap in thousands for the designer. Not a bad return on investment.

With the holiday season upon us for many folks, considered picking up the phone, sending a card or gift or getting together with some people you haven’t heard from in a while. You might just find yourself in the same position as Nigel and scheduling work months in advance. A wee bit of reaching out might just prove to be the best gift you can give yourself for the holidays.

The Education of a Graphic Designer

Noted graphic design author and editor, Steven Heller, has added another title to his list of over ninety books. Actually, The Education of a Graphic Designer, has been a staple for design educators since 1998. The recently published second edition seamlessly picks up where the first edition left off. Edited by Heller, this edition has forty new essays, bringing the title into the 21st Century.

The Education of a Graphic Designer, tackles tough issues about how we learn what we learn and how we teach what we teach. Contributors explore ideas and methods to enhance design education and produce better equipped graphic designers. The book is comprehensive with topics ranging from design theory to the problem with problem solving, the designer as producer to the designer as author, motion graphics to environmental responsibility.

Gone are the days of starting a graphic design career with 50 bucks, a couple of markers, a 360 pad and a t-square. Whether working for a firm, corporation or independently, today’s professional graphic designer is part artist, typographer, technician, business person, marketer, anthropologist, researcher and more. Heller and his contributors provide a map through the maze of a very complex educational process.

Thought provoking, challenging and inspirational, this tome isn’t just for educators. It’s also an excellent resource for practitioners. The concepts discussed in the book will no doubt get novice and seasoned veterans thinking. Thought spawns ideas. Ideas spark dialogue and dialogue is good for the graphic design industry-at-large.

Whether you’re a graphic design educator, student, recent grad or an experienced pro, The Education of a Graphic Designer will be a valuable addition to your library.