A column on professional practice issues by Andrew Lam-Po-Tang. Andrew is a sucker for interesting issues to write about, so if you have something you would like him to write about, send him an e-mail: Andrew Lam-Po-Tang (andrew@lam-po-tang com)
2006
Read this: Riding the Flux
Great piece by Kevin McCullagh on making sense of your future as a design professional. On the Core77 website.
You get what you pay for
Client decides they can do the job themselves, all ends in tears, professionals have to come in and fix the mess. Does this sound familiar?
The challenges of running a business
Guess what type of business is being discussed
Design Excursions - Where do they get off?
Alex Tyers critiques the renaming of a major Melbourne landmark
Design and Innovation
Fad or Future?
2005
Developing design as a profession
Russell Bevers challenges the notion that graphic design is a profession, and explores the implications for design education
2004
Australian design - alive and kicking
Creativity vs formal systems and processes
The worst thing you can do is assume that it is either one or the other
A Conversation about Design Culture: One Plus One Equals Three
Designer/Educator Andrew Haig urges us to speak out on design culture, literally
Strategic scenarios for graphic designers
Have you ever wondered, 'What if?' A conversation is proposed that will enable you to assess the evolution of the design industry, and your opportunities within it.
here is the designer...
What type of designer are you?
Looking beyond the title
Guest contributor, Marc Morrow, debates the issues behind the label 'graphic designer'
Things to think about at the beginning of the year
Two short lists of things worth thinking about - one for business owners/managers, and one for employees
After Graduation: The Real Reality Show
Design graduates from the Pratt Institute in New York talk about their post-graduation work experiences
2003
Play for keeps, not for points
Being 'technically correct' is not as exciting in the long run as winning the business
Defining design for clients
Is it possible to define design so that clients understand the value good design creates for them?
Finding a new label
Someone has set up a website to argue for the creation of a better label than 'graphic designer'
Advertising in Amsterdam
Expat Rob Findlay has some observations for those of you thinking of heading OS for that killer portfolio
Why are fees so important for designers?
Been thinking about successful designers again...
It's time we got respect - linked article
An article that you will both sympathise with, and be enraged by!
Return on Creative
An interesting take on the issue of running a 'creative' business.
Linked article - Designers: Time for Change
A highly recommended article by Clement Mok on the Communication Arts site.
Marketing Public Relations Tactics and Programs
Part 3 in a series on marketing and public relations for graphic design firms, by Kate Nelson.
The business of communication
Part 2 in a series on marketing and public relations for graphic design firms, by Kate Nelson, a senior publica relations consultant.
Why Australian graphic design should be promoted
A new guest writer the Observations column! Senior PR consultant, Kate Nelson, observes the benefits of active promotion of our profession.
2002
A 'Perfect' Exit
What are the ideal conditions for a design business to be passed on to new owners and the next generation of leadership?
Asia, the new West
Looking for new markets? Rob Findlay, a new guest contributor to Observations, argues that you should think big, and think offshore!
What is a consulting firm worth?
IBM just bought PwC Consulting for a price that may have implications for studio owners who need to establish the value of their business.
The world is going virtual
Virtual star Lara Croft signs up with CAA, the Hollywood mega-star talent agency.
The Iceberg Secret, Revealed
The challenges of management in a specialised profession - written for software programmers, just as relevant for designers. Latest in 'Observations'.
Experience?
A random musing. Latest article in 'Observations'
Why do I believe in AGDA?
Simplicity!?
Latest article in Observations.
Competitive Cycles
What does competition means for your clients' products and services, and what opportunities does it create for you?
Locals vs Globals [28/2/2002]
Follow-up article to Globals vs locals - How can local firms respond to the trend of global design and branding mega-firms entering the Australian market?
Of Next Big Things [31/1/2002]
Latest Observations article by a guest writer!
Read this: The End of Wacky Names [23/1/2002]
Financial Times (UK) article on the demise of funky company names, with some good data from Enterprise IG.
2001
Globals vs locals [22/12/2001]
Global firms have been entering the Australian design market in the last few years. Is it a good or a bad thing?
It's tough finding work right now - why? [28/10/2001]
Slovene Design [14/9/2001]
Designer and AGDA member Brent Spencer in search of something different...
Business as lottery [10/9/2001]
Yet another article about the dotcom bubble!
Questioning Creativity [10/7/2001]
Alvin Chan questions creativity as this month's guest contributor to Observations.
Brain Food [11/5/2001]
ALPT reviews four highly stimulating non-design books.
Be Careful of What You Wish For... [16/4/2001]
Oh, for an educated client!
Style vs Design (Modified 26/3/2001)
An article about design in the digital era - on the Adobe website.
2000
The Trick Question [7/9/2000]
Are you hiring the people you want or the people you need?
If you do it - charge for it! (Modified 27/10/2000)
Sean poses a challenge, Andrew gives his 2 cents worth. Anyone else care to comment?
Read this! [29/8/2000]
"Creative firms, which have traditionally earned most of their business from print, now see Web design as their best opportunity..."
1999
Skilling up for the business of design [31/10/1999]
Some practical observations about getting a serious business education
The role or influence of design [16/10/1999]
Someone asked a question about design and 'everything else'...
Learn to Unlearn... [9/7/99]
Another student replies to 'The Designer's Dilemma'!
The designer's dilemma [27/6/99]
A design student runs head-on into clients' apparent desire for 'run of the mill' work.
Read this [4/6/99]
This [the web] ain't Kansas anymore...
Questions from non-designers [21/4/99]
Some insights into how poorly we make ourselves understood!
Business models for studios [25/2/99]
Studios organise themselves in different ways in order to meet different objectives & trade-offs.
1998
The bad old days are back! [26/11/98]
For web designers who can't remember what it was like when DTP was introduced.
Who is buying web studios? [7/10/98]
Something interesting is happening between design and IT....
Looking for a business manager? [29/9/98]
Someone asked me a question, so here it is, plus the answer.
Things to think about (maybe...) [17/8/98]
I'm back!
More on Swedish Design [15/4/98]
A Swedish designer responds to John Frostell's article about Swedish design
Heja Sverige [3/3/98]
Interesting observations about the design industry in Sweden
1997
Labels, Icons and Other Sins [9/12/97]
Words that work and words that don't...
The Invisible Hand?! [26/11/97]
Who runs the world?
Death of the Designer [16/9/97]
Will increased drives for efficiency force designers away from the computer, and back to the drawing pad? Or worse? Robert Black returns as a guest to Observations.
Strategic Design [25/8/97]
And other much-abused buzzwords
Who should manage the client? [25/5/97]
Are you working WITH or FOR the client?
What they want... [20/5/97]
Yet another of the client's deepest, darkest desires!
Clients or projects? [11/5/97]
What is the best way for you to grow your revenue base?
You are not alone [5/4/97]
Collaboration and the single designer
So how're you doin'? [30/3/97]
Gimme more, gimme more...
Climbing the ladder [20/3/97]
Junior clients, friend or foe?
Value-added and other buzzwords [16/3/97]
When a 'manual earth moving device' is a spade.
I have seen the future, [9/3/97]
and her name is Lucy!
Questions, questions... [3/3/97]
I don't get it, and I guess that's a good thing.
Big White Boards [24/2/97]
Observations has a guest: Robert Black
I was just lying in front of the heater, staring at the ceiling, when a funny thought crossed my mind about strategic planning...
I want to be free! [24/2/97]
Itinerant design employees.
1996
Competitive advantage for designers
Competitive advantage, Part 2 
A Designer's Life
Client base strategy
The kind of problem you wish you had.
Designers are special...
Characteristics that can create problems for designers when they are dealing with non-designers.
It's a funny thing about designers...
Marketing 101
Getting to know your clients.
Marketing 102
Putting design to work in the marketing process.
Networking for Designers
Networking is one of the most powerful marketing tools for designers, but so many designers don't!
Pricing of Design Services
Money is the sincerest form of respect in business.
Retainers and Other Forms of Payment
Things designers take for granted
We all know design is important, but why?
Articulating the value of design so that clients can understand.
We're here to solve a problem
Selling design is different from doing design - different problems means different solutions.
When you're asked for artwork files
What do you do when the client asks for the artwork files? [98865]
|
