Issue #3
July 13, 2005

Welcome to Inside Freelance Design (IFD), your free, bi-weekly e-letter from American Writers & Artists Inc. Every other week, you can receive this special alert with secrets, tips, and insights from AWAI's graphic design pros to help you improve your skills and reach your goal of becoming a professional graphic designer in the fastest time possible.

IN THIS ISSUE:
  • How to Create a Success-Centered Schedule, by Kammy Thurman
  • Quick Tip: Finding the Right Colors Every Time
  • The IFD Mailbag
HOW TO CREATE A SUCCESS-CENTERED SCHEDULE
by Kammy Thurman

One work habit that will help you achieve your goals quickly is establishing and following a clear, focused schedule.

The most effective plan is one with enough detail to show you what you must accomplish to reach a given goal, while giving you enough “wiggle room” to make modifications as needed.

Here are suggestions adapted from Michael Masterson's goal-setting principles for creating a schedule that will help you achieve your dreams … and sooner rather than later:

1. Define your most important goals.

Ask yourself where you'd like to be as a designer five years from now. What would you like your life to look like?

Be specific. Maybe you'd like to be living in a mountain retreat, working from your deck where you can watch deer in your backyard. Maybe you'd love to be a world traveler or even living overseas. Or perhaps your goals are more financial than lifestyle. At this point, write down all the goals you can think of.

2. Turn your five-year goals into one-year objectives.

Once you've written down all of your goals, identify the three that are most important to you and break them down into one-year objectives.

Let's say one of your main goals is to be earning $125,000 per year within five years. In that case, you might give yourself a one-year objective of earning $50,000, a two-year objective of earning $70,000, a three-year objective of earning $90,000, and a four-year objective of earning $110,000. That would put you within easy striking distance of reaching your five-year goal of $125,000.

3. Break your one-year objectives into monthly, weekly, and daily tasks.

If you want to make $50,000 the first year (or whatever figure you decide on), break that objective down into bite-size chunks.

For example, to bring in $50,000/year you'll need to make $4,200 per month. That may translate into designing one magalog and a couple of sales packages.

Then, break down your monthly objectives into smaller weekly ones. In our example, this might mean giving yourself the task of doing one package one week, another package the second week, and the magalog the last two weeks of the month.

Finally, break down those weekly tasks and fit them into your daily schedule. It should take only about 15 minutes each morning to incorporate them into your daily “to-do” list in order to keep your plan on track. And before you know it, you'll be on your way to achieving your five-year goal.

If you have a really important goal or project, you may want to develop a special schedule just for that, and mark off the days and individual tasks as you accomplish them.

This system may sound like a lot of work. But after the first week, you'll find it to be easy and productive.

Research has shown that people who set goals and establish written plans and schedules to accomplish them are five times more likely to become successful … and wealthy. This can be you.

Make goal setting and scheduling one of the foundations of your success. For more tips on this topic (along with scheduling forms that will streamline the process for you), check out AWAI's new Graphic Design Biz-In-A-Box program at http://www.thedesignerslife.com/bizinbox/

* * * * * * * * Advertisement * * * * * * * *

WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO RUN A
SUCCESSFUL FREELANCE BUSINESS?

Get the answers to the hundreds of questions you may have about starting and running your own $100k/yr business in specific, step-by-step details.

http://www.thedesignerslife.com/getanswers/

QUICK TIP: Finding the Right Colors Every Time

Direct marketing is emotion-based marketing – at least it is if it's effective. So when designing for direct marketing, wouldn't it be nice if you could go to a single, easily accessible reference to find colors and color combinations that convey the emotions you're going for?

Well, you can.

Color Index by Jim Krause (HOW Design Books) has over 1,100 color combinations listed by their emotional impact … along with their exact CMYK and RGB formulas.

The book is only 4 1/2 " x 6" x 1" – but don't let its small size fool you. It's packed with information you will use over and over.

You can get Color Index at www.Amazon.com for $16.79 or from the HOW Design website (www.howdesign.com) for $19.19.

This is one of those great resources you don't often come across. You don't have to be an expert to use it … but it'll make you look like one when you do.

* * * * * * * * Advertisement * * * * * * * *

GET ON THE FASTRACK TO GRAPHIC DESIGN SUCCESS

Learn how: http://www.awaionline.com/graphicsstudentsonly/

FROM THE IFD MAILBAG ...
by Kristin Schwarz

Hello, everyone!

We've got two questions in the Mailbag this time. First, this one from Ron, who asks ...

What promotional pieces do I need to get started – business card, letterhead, brochure? And do I need to get them printed by a professional print shop?

Ron, this is what master-designer Lori Haller has to say on the subject of self-promotional material:

“Starting out with an unforgettable company name and setting yourself off from the pack is your top goal.

“Then create a business card that represents what you can do. Make sure to include a phone number where you can easily be reached, along with your fax number, your easy-to-remember email address, and your website address (if you already have one set up). If you don't yet have a website, that can be on your "wish list" as you grow you business.

“Your promotional materials do not have to be expensive or lavish. Something clean and neat and professional that gets attention – presented with your positive and helpful "can-do" attitude – is more than enough. Those are the things people will remember ... and they will call you in the future.”

Now let's see if we can answer this question from Ed ...

I'm ready to start on the Graphic Design Challenge 2 “Confessions of a Self-Made Multimillionaire,” but I need:

-- the measurements of the cover

-- the measurements of the book pages

-- the margins used for the book pages

Thanks for your help.

Thank you for your inquiry, Ed. The measurements for the book are 5 ½ inches wide by 8 ½ inches long. The outside is full color; the color to be used inside the book is black.

As a designer, your task is to determine what the correct margins should be. You want to make sure the pages do not look cramped with copy. At the same time, they should not have uneven or overly wide margins either. The copy should be clean and easy to read.

Use design elements wisely to give structure to your copy and provide breaks for the eye. Keep in mind everything you have learned in the course. And most of all – Have Fun!

Until next time ...

Kristin

[Ed. Note: If you have a question or comment for Kristin, please send it to:
insidefreelancedesign@awaionline.com, Attn: Kristin Schwarz.]

EXTRA! EXTRA! News and Job Opportunities for AWAI Students
  • GRAPHIC DESIGNERS – Over 125 ads are currently posted on DirectResponseJobs.com, by marketers looking to hire AWAI Copywriting and Graphic Design students. Search and apply today at: http://www.directresponsejobs.com/
  • GRAPHIC DESIGNERS – K&J Consulting Services is a Global I.T. company supporting clients such as Cisco Systems, SUN, Xerox, John Deere and AmeriQuest to name a few. We are seeking an experienced graphic designer knowledgeable of templates for a 3-month contract with the possibility of extensions in the Herndon, VA. Please your Word formatted resume in Word format attached to an email to Jonathan Huffer: jhuffer@kjconsulting.net.
  • GRAPHIC DESIGNERS – Veritasiti, a family entertainment-related publishing and data development company needs a graphic designer to join their team. You'll work on web site development, custom graphics, and some print materials. Please send your resume via email to Angela Harvey: careers@veritasiti.com. Include Web Designer/Graphic Artist in the subject line.
  • GRAPHIC DESIGNERS – Aeropostale, a fast-growing specialty retailer for young men and women, needs a creative junior level graphic designer. You work on a variety of projects. You must know Illustrator and Photoshop. Send resumes to aerojobs@aeropostale.com.
COMING NEXT ISSUE:
  • Finding Your Niche for Faster Success: Navigating the Graphic Layout Software Maze
  • Quick Tip: There's More to Managing Color than Color
* ABOUT INSIDE FREELANCE DESIGN *

Inside Freelance Design is a FREE bi-weekly newsletter from American Writers & Artists Inc., available to AWAI members and friends.

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