Graphic Design Business Training

information on starting your own graphic design business

Design Business Learn the essentials of finding work as a designer, whether in a design firm, in-house design department, or freelance. In this course, working with a design industry expert, you'll learn everything from how to present your portfolio and resume, find work opportunities, and market yourself, to the more daunting tasks of building a professional persona and networking with your peers.

On this page: enrollment details | instructor | class projects and objectives | prerequisites

Class Title: Design Business Start Date: Classes start daily. Enroll today and gain immediate access. Class Length: Six months of access to class materials and instructor feedback. Instructor: Daniel Schutzsmith Other details: Self-paced, online, 24 access to online learning environment

THIS CLASS IS OFFERED AT SESSIONS COLLEGE: get the details (Check the syllabus at Sessions College for updated class information.)

Class Instructor Bio: Daniel Schutzsmith is a rare breed, a hybrid of equal parts business, design, programming, and strategy, ready to change the world. He's a professor at the School of Visual Arts, a writer on digital strategy with a book scheduled to launch in late 2010, and all-around Web design nerd. Over the past decade he has worked with clients such as: 1% For The Planet, Adobe, BBDO, CosmoGIRL!, Dave Matthews Band, Google, Greenpeace, Live Earth, MTV, PBS, Phish, Rachael Ray, Sony Picture Classics, TBS, The Pixies, VH1, and XM Radio. In his free time he enjoys time with his wife and kids, wandering the streets of NYC for inspiration, trying obscure fu-fu beers, single malt scotches, and evenings at the drive-in around the corner from his house in rural upstate NY. LEFT: Setting up a Design Business might require a tie.

Class Projects and Objectives:

This online class is packed with information on starting your graphic design business. Students will meet the following objectives:

• Identify main options for freelance, agency, and in-house careers in design.
• Identify economic conditions affecting design job prospects and determine salary and hourly rates.
• Set personal milestones for a design career.
• Build a career persona including an icon, headshots, and biography text.
• Develop an effective resume and cover letter using writing and formatting techniques.
• Identify the components of effective offline and online portfolios.
• Identify key methods for networking with potential clients, potential employers, and other designers.
• Plan self-promotion marketing endeavors including goals, action steps, and collateral.
• Effectively research potential clients and employers and make contact accordingly.
• Apply professional interview and presentation techniques.