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by Andrew Lam-Po-Tang
Every studio I've ever been into has had a sizeable library, usually 50-100 books worth, at least. Have you ever stopped to explain that to your clients?
There you are with a sizeable and expensive library, say $5K - $10K minimum, of design books from around the world that is probably updated with new additions every month or so (because we're all suckers for a good new book). That's the kind of reference library any professional should be proud of, regardless of their field.
It's the kind of professional resource that you should let your clients know about. It doesn't need a big gesture, but slipping it somewhere into the conversation should remind that client that they are dealing with a professional who takes their job seriously enough to have that kind of an investment and keep it up to date.
And that library gets used every day!
Most designers at the very least will pour through several volumes just to get a good sense of the range of design idioms that may have been used with that type of project. "Stealing ideas!" some of you say, but realistically it's hard to "break the rules" unless you know what the rules look like, right?
Reference books are also vital to stay abreast of current trends. Again, this is so much about following fashion as it is being aware of it. Some of you with trendier clients may actually need to understand the most current, "now" design idiom because the product, service or company positioning demands it. For others, it is simply a case of knowing where the vast visual language that is graphic design is going.
All of this buying of books and looking at them is "design research." It may not feel like it at the time, but that doesn't make it any less valuable for your clients.
It's just another one of those things that designers' love doing and often forget to tell their clients about. I think you should tell them about it - hopefully, it will increase their respect for you as a professional.
| Feedback by Kylie Christiansen | Tuesday, 20 February 2001 |
"I totally agree! I have found the perfect book for designers to
give as a pressie to their clients. Called Beautiful Corporations, this
book will give the 'no idea' client a brief and interesting read, and really
shows that corporate identity should be really thought about and clients
should listen to their designers!!
Please call Pearson Education to order this book. It's the best book ever on
Corporate Identity and a bargain at $65.70. Phone 02 9454 2302 Fax 02 9453
0117 or e-mail direct@pearsoned.com.au."
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The views expressed this article are not necessarily those of AGDA. Please note that the information in this article is the opinion of the author only. I can therefore accept no responsibility for actions taken on the basis of this information. Copyright Andrew Lam-Po-Tang (andrew@lam-po-tang com), 1998-2008. Permission is granted to freely copy this document in electronic form, or to print, for personal use. Reprinting for non-personal use will require the express permission of the author (which I will generally be very happy to give).
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