You are a strong graphic designer? Then find several strong web designers, make them aware of you, and suggest a reciprocal relationship that would help both of you meet clients’ broader needs. Also, consider approaching hosting providers in an effort to be on their short list of referrals for work.

Contact all friends and associates with design skills complementary to your own and set up an informal reciprocal agreement.

Have you created a fabulous trade show exhibition design lately? If so, you should let the world see it! Exhibition Magazine’s 23rd Annual Exhibit Design Awards is accepting entries.

Designs that were launched between Dec. 1, 2006, and Dec. 1, 2008, can be entered in several categories, which include categories: Green Exhibits (designs that reduce the negative impact on the environment, as realized through sustainability, eco-friendly or recycled materials, and/or a reduction of energy consumption.) Elements and Details (Innovative elements or materials that are part of a larger exhibit. Look here for examples) and Small Budgets and Small Spaces (Custom exhibits measuring 10-by-10 or 10-by-20 feet with a budget of $15,000 or less.)

The 2009 competition will offer one EDGE Award (for Exhibit Design and Graphic Excellence) and multiple Gold, Silver, and Special Merit Awards. Winners will be featured in the May issue of EXHIBITOR magazine, read by 30,000 marketing professionals in the trade show, corporate event, and meetings industries. To apply and find out more go the magazine’s web site.

It is crucial for the client to make a financial commitment to you at the project kick-off. Upon signing a contract, make sure that you get a deposit and have payment milestones. Consider 5% / 55% / 40%. 5% at signing. $55% at a midpoint deliverable that you have designated in the contract. 40% upon delivery. Some like to make 50% at kick-off. Your call…depends on your comfort level with the client. To explore these types of policies in more detail consider purchasing a copy of the Graphic Artist Guild’s Pricing and Ethical Guidelines.

Put this deposit and payment milestones requirement into your template agreements now.

When designing for multilingual content there are a number of factors that will affect your composition and typographic choices. Knowing these ahead of time allows for a smooth transition of content from one language to another. Whether it is print or web, it is best to know exactly which languages you will be working with, and how the viewer will encounter these language options before you begin with the layout. We will go into web-specific issues later, but first, here are a few key universal points to keep in mind when determining the layout and typography for your composition. (more…)

There are many, many ways to structure retainers. Here are some suggestions. If a client hires you to build a website - or a portion of a website - and they do not have an in-house designer to maintain it, then offer your client to place you on a monthly retainer with a reduced rate. For example, if you charge $40/hour for freelance work, suggest a retainer of 10 hours per month at $30/hour or $300 per month. Invoice them at the beginning of each month Net 30. If they use you, then great. If they don’t, the hours do not rollover. If they are close to you then suggest a meeting once monthly to go over any needs. You’ll want to be proactive and ensure that they use you or the relationship will end.

Contact all current and past clients now and suggest a phone call / meeting to discuss the potential of a retainer. If you have no retainers in place now then don’t reveal that fact…you are a busy and sought-after designer.

It seems like Obama’s supporters are determined to make him go down in history as the candidate with the hippest signage ever. (Or perhaps the recent decline in enthusiasm among young voters is making them nervous.) Design and graffiti legend Shepard Fairey has teamed up with artist-designed t-shirt peddlers Upper Playground and Move On to host the “Manifest Hope Art Gallery” at the Democratic National Convention. The gallery, open from Sunday, August 24 through Thursday, August 28 2008, will feature both known and new artists all supporting Barack Obama for President. Moreover, should you feel so inclined, your work can be a part of this project. The groups also launched a related contest today, calling for entries of visual art from grassroots supporters of Senator Obama. (more…)

The best jobs I’ve ever earned were through colleagues and connections. In an interview, ask the interviewer who else might appreciate your work, or who else is hiring. Keep in touch with everyone you meet to build a large and strong net of connections. Indeed, just sending postcards, letters, or connecting on facebook, has allowed me a happier career and broader options. Dear Claudia, if you are reading, I am still indebted to you.

In the jobs that I’ve held, I’ve really enjoyed being friends with the people behind the creative scenes and I know how hard they work to make the organizations succeed in ways that you wouldn’t expect.

On the Creative Freelancer Blog lately, Dyana Valentine, who will be conducting the workshop on creative collaboration on the first day of the Creative Freelancer Conference, has been offering up some tips on how to prep so you do the best connecting you can at this conference — or any conference for that matter.

First, she suggests taking a box of 500 (even if you end up using 30) business cards, then she offers three tips for what to note about someone on their business card. Read them here:

Also on the blog last week, Nettie Hartsock, writer and PR blogger, is looking for insight into what creatives are grappling with, thinking about and even reading, so she can take the message out there to other creative communities via some sites she writes for. Take a moment now to share your wisdom with her — and the world — here:

The final early bird deadline is Thursday, July 31st, so if you’ve been thinking about attending, now is the time to take advantage of the $60 discount. Sign up here:

Designboom, together with partners DA Design Association of Japan and Tobu Department Store, is calling for entries for their international Green Earth graphic design competition. The competition is divided in two themes, and you may enter projects in one or both categories. The first theme is called ‘Green’ and competitors are asked to create a graphic artwork that illustrates environmental protection and how human beings and nature could coexist in a greener world. The second theme ‘Earth’ is based on the idea of giving the gift of a greener world at Christmas. Entries should be a graphic artwork that creates a link between this festive time of year and a call to help our planet’s survival. Use of iconic Christmas motifs such as rein deers and trees are allowed and encouraged.
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How can you, an enthusiastic, creative solopreneur, not give away all your ideas in the first meeting with a potential client?

1. Listen more than you speak. That will help you restrain your enthusiasm (or desperation) PLUS you’ll get more information, which you’ll need to do the project.

2. Offer a paid, 1-hour brainstorming meeting instead of a free interview or portfolio review. To do this, explain how your prospect will benefit much more from a brainstorming session than a mere portfolio presentation. Then, even if you decide not to work together, they’ll walk away with some good ideas and you will have been compensated for your time.