Shaughnessy is a graphic designer by trade, but his insight into what it takes to become a business professional in the creative world is invaluable. I read this book several years after completing my BFA in Graphic Design, I wish I would have read it my last year of school.

Graphic designers constantly complain that there is no career manual to guide them through the profession. It also discusses the benefits/downsides of getting a job in a studio, in-house, as a freelancer, or setting up your own studio.In the first chapter, Shaughnessy discusses attributes needed by the modern designer and I found myself nodding along with him in agreement – I spent my childhood copying lettering off everything I coudl without even realising what it was I enjoyed about it, and some of the habits he discusses are definitely habits that I have picked up since becoming a designer. And this is a book that i am glad i put the effort in and read the first page because by the end of every page i wanted to read the next one and for me that is the sign of a well written book. This revised edition contains all-new chapters covering professional skills; design thinking; and global trends, including social responsibility, ethics and the rise of digital culture.

My favorite parts perhaps are an emphasis on a often neglected aspect of freelancing: be nice, don't be a sourpuss and have some EQ.

Excellent book for graphic designers interested in furthering their knowledge of the practical implications of a career in design. Published to instant acclaim in 2005, our best selling How to Be a Graphic Designer without Losing Your Soul has become a trusted resource for graphic designers around the world, combining practical advice with philosophical guidance to help young professionals embark on their careers.

Hay algunas cosas que ya no aplican tanto o que podrían no servirle a un diseñador que ya tenga más experiencia peeero en general es una muy buena lectura para empezar con libros de diseño. The book goes way beyond graphic technique and the latest notions of 'cool' - to discuss things like retaining and promoting integrity in the design business, grappling with design BS (client BS as well as how much it might be necessary for you to dish out), some real-life insights into hiring and firing practice of graphic designers (and clients! Whether this has anything to do with me having/not having a soul I’m not sure yet but good read nonetheless. Comenzando con el título, es un libro que llama mucho la atención y su contenido ayuda a cualquier diseñador independientemente de la experiencia o los años que tengas. The title is great but not really suitable for this book as the question of ‘How to be a graphic designer without loosing your soul’ wasn’t really answered.There are a few interviews throughout the book with various different practicioners which are invaluable for adding another perspective and more advice on different subjects and issues raised in the book. I'm glad I continued because the rest was a gem, full of discussions and ideas that I've been thinking and talking about for years. Got this book as a belated birthday gift for my boyfriend who's just finished graphic design and apparently he really liked it.

Although I'm ancient and have been in the graphic design field for a while now this was still very interesting and I still picked up a few pointers here and there. Author Adrian shared what we are already aware of (maybe because I read the second edition), but reading the same thought from another creative man and from another country brings connection in terms of hustle, fear and learning. It informs readers about freelancers, small offices, larger ad agencies and corporate in-house in the contemporary work place.That said, the advice given seems very good, and I will perhaps revisit this review once I have been able to implement some of the techniques from this book and measure how effective they really are. This books gives great insight on the structure of the graphic design world from the perspective of successful working designers. Regarding design briefs, he offers some good suggestions: take up a role of scepticism and interrogation towards them, be wary of conventional wisdom, rely very much on common sense, and look for what is missing from the brief (which is often the key to unlocking really successful work). It offers straight-talking advice on how to establish your design career and suggestions – that you wont have been taught at college – for running a successful business. How to be a graphic designer offers clear, concise guidance for these questions, along with focused, no-nonsense strategies for setting up, running, and promoting a studio, finding work, and collaborating with clients.