You are a great inspiration for young designers like myself. My question is: what is your opinion (and experience) working for yourself vs. working for someone else. I am a graphic design who is particularly frustrated at the moment working for others. Like many of us – if I had the opportunity to work for a fresh company with fresh ideas about design – that would be ideal. However, the sad reality of this industry, at least in my experience, is that a lot of clients don’t appreciate “young” (or what I think is) “good” design. I understand this is a very subjective matter, but I think I’m a pretty decent and practical designer, and I am sick of clients or superiors asking me to “add a purple drop shadow” or “I think it would look more fun if you used a font like comic sans”.

I really want to take a risk and develop some sort of enterprise for myself. Any advice you can share? What are your thoughts on leaving the “normal world” to pursue your own vision?

I loved the Paul Arden book you recommended – I have a few students who will be studying graphic design in college and I was wondering what other books are on your ‘must-have’ list for aspiring graphic designers.

Thanks!

I want to make more mood boards but I don’t know where to start !
Do you have any advice for me ? how do you start ? Is it random discovery or do you take a special time to research everything you like ?

Thank you very much for your answer, you’re an amazing source of inspiration to me !

Love from Paris

V.

The app helped you or guided you to a simpler idea, sort of like finding a focus of the idea.

If you have any idea of what I’m talking about I’d love to know!

Please answer this one for me, I am a starting out visual merchandiser, I have had my internships with few good ones in the industry, some with small stores as well, I have also done some styling images that I wish to add. I do have few concerns like:

what kind of portfolio I should use, I have been thinking “Itoya” products they look good?
Where do I start, its a bit overwhelming as a starter, please help?
I have some good work for my portfolio but I always feel “not enough”??

please take some time out and answer this long question its an important one for me as a starting out in the portfolio design… Thank you soooooo much. Appreciated

I am getting into design. I expect to be working on a lot of websites as well as some smaller print projects (brochures, flyers, business cards). I am on the market for a new computer and I am overwhelmed with all the choices and specs.

What do you use? What are the minimum specs I should have on a computer? What are your favorite programs?