We call our library
‘The Design Business Review’
It’s a library of articles about the business of design.
The articles are based on real questions from real design businesses — pricing, positioning, client management, mental wellbeing, and the research we've done into what actually works. Many originated from knowledge earned from 30 years running a studio, and updated with research and insights from mentoring sessions with Australian designers.
New articles land every Wednesday morning AEST, straight to your inbox.
Got a topic you’re interested in but can’t find? Let us know… we might be able to help.
In today’s market design skills are not enough
In a difficult market, the agencies that win won’t necessarily be the ones producing the best-looking work.
Changing the way clients look at your pricing
You quote the same fee and deliverables and one client signs without blinking. Another baulks and asks you to “revisit the numbers.” What changed is the framing, not the price.
Your design has impact. But…
Every design project creates impact, whether the designer or client chooses to recognise it or not. The challenge is to understand what that impact might be.
Marketing has a measurement problem. Designers are paying for it.
New research confirms what many designers know: the old ways of working aren’t cutting it anymore. Let’s look at what’s changing and what successful studios are doing about it.
What happens when clients stop investing in their brand
Times are tough. Clients are looking for ways to cut costs and we know brand investment is often one of the first things questioned. The client’s assumption is simple: if we stop spending on branding, marketing or communications for a while, nothing much will change.
The evidence suggests otherwise.
Evidence-based design
When the economy is tight, clients are more risk-averse. They demand research and evidence your design direction is valid.
Evidence-based design replaces the need to justify creative decisions with subjective reasoning.
This article explores what evidence-based design looks like in practice, and the implications for pricing a project
How to get on the RFQ shortlist
Research found by the time clients send a RFQ, they’ve already decided who they want to work with. They’ve chosen a designer from reputation, knowledge and past experience. They’ve chosen someone who is visible.
They may not have worked with them previously, but they’re most likely engaged with them – it means you need to be visible before clients start looking.
Understanding client approval resistance
Increasingly, getting approvals is as much about psychology, behavioural science and language as it is about the design solution. Everyone – including clients – is under pressure and that can manifest as cold feet, regardless of how good your design solution is.
Understanding resistance as a natural human response changes how you approach presentations and feedback sessions.