Design Domination

#21 Freelance designers, client relationships and getting clients are not that different from dating. Learn how to identify your ideal client, attract them, approach them, spot deal breakers, nurture the relationship and more.

#20 Geek out on typography with typeface designer Fábio Duarte Martins and me, learn a bit about typeface design and discover how typeface design can be a great source of passive income.

#19 Attorney Matt Johnston and I talk about trademarking logo designs. Find out how to make sure your designs don't infringe on an existing trademark, when and what to consider before trademarking, and the trademark process.

#18 Fellow longtime graphic designer Evelyn Powers and I talk about lessons learned from bad client experiences as freelancers, how to identify red flags with prospects and clients, and how to fire bad clients.

#17 Ted Leonhardt and I talk about confidence (or lack thereof) and bullying and how they affect how creatives and graphic designers—especially freelancers—perceive their value, set rates and negotiate salaries.

#16 Creative Business owner and industry veteran Cameron S. Foote discusses what to consider before going out on your own as a freelancer, how to present your work to get objective feedback, when to push back with a client, how to earn more respect from clients and specializing.

#15 Designer and humorous creativeLIVE instructor Jason Hoppe and I talk all about Adobe® InDesign and page layout. Learn some best practices and time-saving tips for an efficient page layout process.

#14 Ever considered a full-time or part-time career as a fine artist? Hear from Michael Auger, who's had a solid freelancing career as an illustrator, painter and graphic designer.

#13 Do you have trouble pricing your design work as a freelancer? Do you suck up out-of-scope work that you should be charging for? Learn what to include in your graphic design contracts and estimates and figure out if your projects are profitable.

#12 Print designers, do you use the same folds for direct mail projects over and over because you think other types of folds cost too much or seem too complicated? Get inspiration, education and free templates from Trish Witkowski, Foldfactory.

#11 Freelance designers, have you ever considered creating stock images to generate passive income? Stock up on some tips and best practices from Anne Bracker of the YouTube channel Graphic Design How-To, who's been doing just that, so that you can make the most of your efforts.

#10 Freelance designers, ever feel like an imposter? Like your work isn't good enough? Do you lack confidence presenting your design ideas? Do you find it hard to give yourself credit where due? This stems from the imposter syndrome. Find out how it can help us or hold us back.

#9 Do you dream of going out on your own as a freelancer and working wherever and whenever you want, so you can enjoy a more flexible lifestyle? Robert and Alyssa Simmons talk about the freedom they've experienced working for themselves and pursuing their dreams.

#8 Are you getting what you need—and want—from clients? Do clients send you the wrong types of files? Does it takes a long time for clients to sign your contracts? Do you find yourself resending logo or print files for the umpteenth time? Are you embarrassed because clients point out edits you missed? Do you make it easy for clients to say yes? Learn how to improve your processes for a smoother, more enjoyable and efficient workflow for yourself and the client, so they keep coming back.

#7 Want to increase your proficiency in presentation design? Considering a career in it? Laura Foley explains how she's made a career out of specializing in PowerPoint design. Learn best practices when using PowerPoint and how to price PowerPoint projects.

#6 Are your design contracts helping—or hurting—you? Do clients understand your contracts? Do you? If you don't have a solid contract, you may be unknowingly giving away your design rights or taking on liability you shouldn't be. Even worse, if you don't operate as an LLC or corporation, your personal assets could be at risk if you make a mistake. Learn how to prevent a contract catastrophe, get your contracts signed faster and protect your design rights—and yourself—from a legal crisis.

#5 Freelance designers, are you getting the clients you want? Are you sick of prospects who can't afford your rates? Are you missing out on work that you want? Are you always in feast or famine mode? Don't be at the mercy of taking whatever comes to you. Get marketing tips for designers from Ilise Benun.

#4 Do you know why a client should hire you when they can pay $50 to a cheap freelance designer, Fiverr or 99Designs, or set up a Wix, Weebly or Squarespace site themselves? Learn how to charge more for design work and set yourself apart.

#3 Print designers, learn how to perfect your print process, so you can avoid costly errors and save face. Find out about proper file setup, folds, binding, paper, ink, coatings, fonts, images, how to get print bids and more.

#2 Logo designers, are you making any of these 10 mistakes that graphic designers make when creating logos? Also find out what to consider when pricing a logo design. Aspiring designers will learn how to make their logo designs better and add value to their work, so they can up their game and stand out from the competition.