design business coach

It seems everywhere we read, watch or listen there’s advice to adapt to the new normal. Problem is there’s very little consensus about what this new normal will be. Economists see a recession, business gurus see opportunities. Here’s what I think…

Working from Lisbon - part two Our annual northern hemisphere expedition to look at design practices took us to Portugal this year. We chose it partly because we wanted to see how design had faired in a country ravaged by the global financial crisis. As with each trip we researched our destination extensively before we [...]

What a Lisbon Chef taught me about studio management One of the benefits of traveling is that it gives you a completely new perspective on everyday things. Everyday things such as sitting at the bar of an open kitchen and watching a chef work. We often do it at our favourite Melbourne restaurants like Tipo [...]

Working from Lisbon Ola from Lisbon where we are currently working/holidaying. This year we decided to travel light with technology. We both purchased iPad pro’s because they seem to be the closest thing to a laptop. There seem to be very few limitations. Here’s how we do it. External hard drive Normally we take away [...]

The university that builds your business Very few universities or private providers teach studio owners business management. Business courses are too generic and don’t consider the unique needs of creative business owners. Design courses (undergraduate and postgraduate) don’t include the business knowledge a studio owner needs. Added to this every owner is seeking the holy [...]

Interns, grads, why it’s harder now than then, and a freebie. In the next month or so, in Australia, there will be approximately 2000 graphic designers graduating into around 100 jobs. You don’t need to be good at math to know that’s not going to work. But before you despair, realise that some graduates will [...]

The truth about being a design studio manager Managing creatives is not for the faint hearted – Greg and I certainly learnt that the hard way during three decades of owning an Australian design studio. Managing a studio needs a specific, part creative, part business skill-set that is certainly not taught at unis. Many might [...]

Australian design - all dressed up and no place to go There are exciting opportunities and tremendous challenges ahead for the Australian design industry. Design is slowly moving up the agenda, for the three tiers of government, for businesses and for consumers. But there are threats. A rapidly evolving Asian business environment means that change [...]

Working from London Just returned from our annual pilgrimage where we pack up our studio and work somewhere else in the world. This year it was London to continue my research into how designers view professional development. I’ve been talking professional development with Australian designers for the past couple of months as part of the [...]

Taking design inhouse My business has changed/evolved/pivoted in the last two years. I am actively moving from the day-to-day client work to more of a producing, project based design management role. This has meant working with existing clients to solve how best they replace me. I’ve grasped the opportunity to revise my services with some [...]

At least someone is looking after freelancers In the land that has given us Donald Trump there is some hope yet. The following has been released by the New York City Consumer affairs. Freelance Isn't Free Act On May 15, 2017, Local Law 140 of 2016 will take effect. The law establishes and enhances protections [...]