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Topic: Getting graphic design skills ... helpful or no?
| Author | Message |
| Just Wondering | Posted – 2/19/2008 4:52:12 PM | show profile | email poster Anyone out there who does both copywriting and graphic design? I'm thinking about taking some graphic design classes to be able to offer potential clients more services. Has anyone else tried to expand skills in this direction? What has been your experience? Clients interested? |
| Lula | Posted – 2/19/2008 7:24:40 PM | show profile Unless you actually want to be a graphic designer, I would recommend just finding 2-3 designers in your area that you can establish a good working relationship with. There are a couple of reasons for this: 1. Professional graphic design takes years to master. Just taking a couple of classes will not give you enough skills to be able properly serve your clients. Unless you have a long-term commitment to learning visual communication theory and practical application, your chances of producing quality work will be slim. I can't stress this enough. 2. In my own experience as a writer/designer, I have found I am more likely to get writing work from design clients as opposed to the other way around. Instead, take advantage of other designers who might have a consistent need for writers. You could take a couple of different approaches: 1. Target small indie studios, larger firms, and agencies. Market to them for a while, send them samples, build a relationship. Become their go-to writer for their clients. And/or: 2. Identify 2-3 designers in your area that you feel might be a good professional fit, and try to establish a strategic partnership with them, in which you crossover your clients as appropriate. The latter option, in particular, will allow you to provide additional value to your clients (your professional relationships with designers), without having to become a designer (which really is an entirely separate craft you'll need to master). Best of luck! |
| writesonwater | Posted – 2/19/2008 8:39:31 PM | show profile | email poster I've done both writing and graphic design. Professionally, now as a full-time writer and editor, design doesn't help me much. When I was laying out newspaper and then editing magazines, twas very helpful. And I worked as a graphic designer for peanuts at a Kinkos (I had more skills than many.) It's not a BAD thing to have -- I do things like laying out postcards and business cards etc. But I only got into quark and photoshop. To me, people who really want to do design and can really market their skills go into Illustrator etc. and that's the next level up. I have a number of friends who write, and if they asked me if design would help and be worth the effort, I'd say not necessarily. ------ http://writingporch.blogspot.com/ http://jlouiselarson.blogspot.com/ http://familyrootsandwings.blogspot.com/ |
| Just Wondering | Posted – 2/20/2008 8:39:00 AM | show profile Thank you! Lula and writesonwater--thank you very much for your thoughtful responses. I will definitely take them into consideration. |
