Essential nuggets of advice for anyone wanting to start a design studio – from those who’ve made it
Yes, we know. Considering the state of the economy and the unemployment rate, surely it’d be madness right now to put your head above the parapet and start your own studio? And yes, if that’s your thinking then maybe you’d be better off in a safe little designer’s job where you get paid on time every month to implement someone else's ideas. On the other hand, if you’re up to the challenge then there’s never a bad time to strike out on your own. Fortune, as they say, favours the bold.
For those creatives who are less experienced in the business side of things, it can be a huge challenge. That’s why we’ve contacted a pro selection of designers who have made it – and are responsible for starting some of the most successful studios around – to bring you someexpert tips on starting your own studio.
Want to know more? Check out our Design Studio Handbook, which covers everything you need to know to start and run a successful design business.
For those creatives who are less experienced in the business side of things, it can be a huge challenge. That’s why we’ve contacted a pro selection of designers who have made it – and are responsible for starting some of the most successful studios around – to bring you someexpert tips on starting your own studio.
Want to know more? Check out our Design Studio Handbook, which covers everything you need to know to start and run a successful design business.
01 GOOD SKIP HUNTING
Bob Gray Design director Red&Grey Design
“When you’re setting up a studio, designer furniture is not a priority,” says Red&Grey’s Bob Gray. “Our tables and chairs all came from a skip outside a major telephone company that was rebranding. If we were starting out now, we would look out for liquidation sales and office closures.”
“When you’re setting up a studio, designer furniture is not a priority,” says Red&Grey’s Bob Gray. “Our tables and chairs all came from a skip outside a major telephone company that was rebranding. If we were starting out now, we would look out for liquidation sales and office closures.”
02 TAKE THE PLUNGE
Nick Nettleton Director Loft Digital
Essentials like renting out work space and hiring new people – they’re big financial commitments, and they’re always terrifying in advance. For Nick Nettleton, these are psychological barriers – you just have to take the plunge. “Once you’re on the other side, you wonder what all the fuss was about,” he says.
Essentials like renting out work space and hiring new people – they’re big financial commitments, and they’re always terrifying in advance. For Nick Nettleton, these are psychological barriers – you just have to take the plunge. “Once you’re on the other side, you wonder what all the fuss was about,” he says.
03 GET A BIG TABLE
Nat Hunter D&AD Executive Committee member D&AD
Communal spaces offer many opportunities to pool your talents and bounce ideas around, so it makes sense to capitalise on this rather than just giving fate a free hand. Nat Hunter’s office must-have? “A big table for everyone to eat lunch together.”
Communal spaces offer many opportunities to pool your talents and bounce ideas around, so it makes sense to capitalise on this rather than just giving fate a free hand. Nat Hunter’s office must-have? “A big table for everyone to eat lunch together.”
04 THE RIGHT STUFF
Adam Jenns Founder and managing director Mainframe
“Don’t bother starting a studio if you don’t have the intention of being the best.” Adam Jenns challenges you to succeed with any other attitude. “Few people ever get there,” he adds. “But if you don’t start out with that intention you’ll get lost in a sea of one-man bands with novel company names.”
“Don’t bother starting a studio if you don’t have the intention of being the best.” Adam Jenns challenges you to succeed with any other attitude. “Few people ever get there,” he adds. “But if you don’t start out with that intention you’ll get lost in a sea of one-man bands with novel company names.”
05 THE BEST POLICY
Russell Townsend Managing director Clusta
It’s very tempting to believe your own hype, and design is certainly a business that demands a little esprit de corps. But that’s not a sound footing, says Russell Townsend: “Firstly, don’t kid yourself, and secondly never kid the people that make your studio work – your clients, staff, suppliers, bank manager and the tax man. They make your world go round.”
It’s very tempting to believe your own hype, and design is certainly a business that demands a little esprit de corps. But that’s not a sound footing, says Russell Townsend: “Firstly, don’t kid yourself, and secondly never kid the people that make your studio work – your clients, staff, suppliers, bank manager and the tax man. They make your world go round.”
06 CREATE A WEBSITE
Chris Brand Founder Christopher Brand
According to Chris Brand, putting up a website was one of the best things that he ever did. “It’s the easiest way to show people your work,” he explains. Making sure you have the right domain name is a good idea too. Keep things as simple as possible to use, and choose a name that’s easy to remember.
According to Chris Brand, putting up a website was one of the best things that he ever did. “It’s the easiest way to show people your work,” he explains. Making sure you have the right domain name is a good idea too. Keep things as simple as possible to use, and choose a name that’s easy to remember.
07 SPACE CONTROL
Josie Harold Managing director Dirty Design
Think about how you would like your space to work for you long term, and what works best for the business. You might want to work in an open-plan space all together with music, laughter and fun. “However, you need to think how that will work when you’ve got phone calls to make or you’re trying to write a brief – or have clients in,” says Dirty Design’s Josie Harold.
Think about how you would like your space to work for you long term, and what works best for the business. You might want to work in an open-plan space all together with music, laughter and fun. “However, you need to think how that will work when you’ve got phone calls to make or you’re trying to write a brief – or have clients in,” says Dirty Design’s Josie Harold.
08 WORK IS WORK, HOME IS HOME
Sean Freeman Founder There Is
Working from his bedroom day-in day-out gave Sean Freeman a nasty bout of cabin fever that only wore off once he found a desk in a shared space. “Now, when I get home, it’s home,” he says. “Plus, it’s totally tax deductible, so in a roundabout way I kind of look at my desk space as paying tax.”
Working from his bedroom day-in day-out gave Sean Freeman a nasty bout of cabin fever that only wore off once he found a desk in a shared space. “Now, when I get home, it’s home,” he says. “Plus, it’s totally tax deductible, so in a roundabout way I kind of look at my desk space as paying tax.”
09 FIND SOME NATURAL LIGHT
Russell Townsend Managing director Clusta
Everyone wants a fancy studio with a hot tub and pool table, but do you really need it? There are larger priorities, says Russell Townsend. “Make sure you have a suitable environment with good natural light and good security, and that it’s somewhere you are happy to spend a lot of time in – because you will.”
Everyone wants a fancy studio with a hot tub and pool table, but do you really need it? There are larger priorities, says Russell Townsend. “Make sure you have a suitable environment with good natural light and good security, and that it’s somewhere you are happy to spend a lot of time in – because you will.”
10 FUTURE-PROOF YOURSELF
Tom Skipp Founder Tom Skipp
It’s true that you get what you pay for, and since a designer’s main tool is his or her computer, it pays to get the best you can afford. “As a freelancer, I’m always on my MacBook Pro, which I find sufficient – even for artworking,” says Tom Skipp. “And I have also recently subscribed to the iPhone generation, which means that I can respond to people immediately. It’s essential to appear available at all times for clients.”
It’s true that you get what you pay for, and since a designer’s main tool is his or her computer, it pays to get the best you can afford. “As a freelancer, I’m always on my MacBook Pro, which I find sufficient – even for artworking,” says Tom Skipp. “And I have also recently subscribed to the iPhone generation, which means that I can respond to people immediately. It’s essential to appear available at all times for clients.”
11 TAKE SOME RISKS
Adam Jenns Founder and managing director Mainframe
Logic and restraint are not always your best friends: they can lead to piecemeal decisions and compromise. “If you don’t take risks, you’ll stay a one-man band forever,” says Adam Jenns. “I rented a big studio very early on in Mainframe’s life, and it seemed to fill itself.”
Logic and restraint are not always your best friends: they can lead to piecemeal decisions and compromise. “If you don’t take risks, you’ll stay a one-man band forever,” says Adam Jenns. “I rented a big studio very early on in Mainframe’s life, and it seemed to fill itself.”
12 SPACE IS THEORETICAL
Glenn Garriock Creative director at Atelier 1A Co-founder of FormFiftyFive
Working alone isn’t ideal. “Simply the process of explaining an idea to someone else helps me figure out if it makes sense or not,” says Glenn Garriock. However, you don’t have to be isolated even if you are physically alone: “With a little help from modern technology you can share ideas and thoughts with colleagues and friends, regardless of where you are.”
Working alone isn’t ideal. “Simply the process of explaining an idea to someone else helps me figure out if it makes sense or not,” says Glenn Garriock. However, you don’t have to be isolated even if you are physically alone: “With a little help from modern technology you can share ideas and thoughts with colleagues and friends, regardless of where you are.”
13 LIVE THE DREAM
Josie Harold Managing director Dirty Design
“Think carefully about what you want from your office space,” warns Josie Harold. “The quirky older building that feels really individual and is cheaper than more traditional office space might seem perfect, but trust me, with no double-glazing the heating bills won’t be. And if you buy flatpack desks from IKEA, plan in three days to build them.”
“Think carefully about what you want from your office space,” warns Josie Harold. “The quirky older building that feels really individual and is cheaper than more traditional office space might seem perfect, but trust me, with no double-glazing the heating bills won’t be. And if you buy flatpack desks from IKEA, plan in three days to build them.”
14 PRACTICAL MATTERS
Aurelia Lange Founder Aurelia Lange
Talking about heating bills, illustrator and designer Aurelia Lange has some practical advice: “Setting up in the summer will give you a head start,” she laughs. Also, research all your expenses thoroughly – public liability, insurance, rates and such: “Business Link is a great resource for advice on this.”
Talking about heating bills, illustrator and designer Aurelia Lange has some practical advice: “Setting up in the summer will give you a head start,” she laughs. Also, research all your expenses thoroughly – public liability, insurance, rates and such: “Business Link is a great resource for advice on this.”
15 SENSIBLE SOFTWARE
Russell Townsend Managing director Clusta
These days the specs on mid-level machines are generally fine for all but the most demanding of design applications. “So try and make sure that you are very sensible about software and, in particular, hardware,” says managing director at Clusta, Russell Townsend. “Assess what you really need. Video and moving images are far more demanding than design for print.”
These days the specs on mid-level machines are generally fine for all but the most demanding of design applications. “So try and make sure that you are very sensible about software and, in particular, hardware,” says managing director at Clusta, Russell Townsend. “Assess what you really need. Video and moving images are far more demanding than design for print.”
16 GOTTA HAVE A SYSTEM
Glenn Garriock Creative director at Atelier 1A Co-founder of FormFiftyFive
Without a decent system to help you find older files – real as well as digital – you are simply increasing your workload. Glenn Garriock’s big on filing systems for exactly this reason: “Having a methodical filing system will spare you a lot of rummaging around,” he reasons. “You never know when one of your older files or documents could come in handy to sort out a misunderstanding, or help you with your final billing.”
Without a decent system to help you find older files – real as well as digital – you are simply increasing your workload. Glenn Garriock’s big on filing systems for exactly this reason: “Having a methodical filing system will spare you a lot of rummaging around,” he reasons. “You never know when one of your older files or documents could come in handy to sort out a misunderstanding, or help you with your final billing.”
17 LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION
Aurelia Lange Founder Aurelia Lange
Location is king, ask any estate agent. So check out the area you’re thinking of setting up in thoroughly. “How accessible are the nearest supply shops? What about banks and nice pubs to meet clients? Is there parking?” asks Aurelia Lange. And finally, how accessible are your premises? Is it 24/7? If not, how will you manage all those late nights?
Location is king, ask any estate agent. So check out the area you’re thinking of setting up in thoroughly. “How accessible are the nearest supply shops? What about banks and nice pubs to meet clients? Is there parking?” asks Aurelia Lange. And finally, how accessible are your premises? Is it 24/7? If not, how will you manage all those late nights?
18 BACK UP!
Glenn Garriock Creative director at Atelier 1A Co-founder of FormFiftyFive
“Back everything up,” advises Glenn Garriock. This doesn’t have to be expensive – you can pick up a one-terrabyte external hard drive for less then £100 these days, on which you can create a bootable carbon copy of your main hard drive. “Couple this with an online back-up service, such as Backblaze or CrashPlan, and you should be sorted.”
“Back everything up,” advises Glenn Garriock. This doesn’t have to be expensive – you can pick up a one-terrabyte external hard drive for less then £100 these days, on which you can create a bootable carbon copy of your main hard drive. “Couple this with an online back-up service, such as Backblaze or CrashPlan, and you should be sorted.”
19 HOME FROM HOME
Aurelia Lange Founder Aurelia Lange
You’ll be spending quite a bit of time in your studio, so make it your own. “You should create an environment that you want to spend time in,” says Aurelia Lange. “Invest in some good speakers, a comfortable chair, a kettle and some chocolate biscuits.”
You’ll be spending quite a bit of time in your studio, so make it your own. “You should create an environment that you want to spend time in,” says Aurelia Lange. “Invest in some good speakers, a comfortable chair, a kettle and some chocolate biscuits.”
20 UPDATE YOURSELF
Daniel Baer Founder Studio Baer
Keep your website up to date. “Our site is updated each quarter with new projects,” says Daniel Baer. “We adapt the studio portfolio for every client meeting in order to focus on specific areas of interest.” If you’re small, you’re nimble. Make the most of that.
Keep your website up to date. “Our site is updated each quarter with new projects,” says Daniel Baer. “We adapt the studio portfolio for every client meeting in order to focus on specific areas of interest.” If you’re small, you’re nimble. Make the most of that.
21 USE SOME SHOE LEATHER
Bob Gray Design director Red&Grey Design
Searching the internet for studio space might have the advantage of speed, but you won’t be getting there via the internet superhighway. It’s best to get out and walk around until you find somewhere you like. “This is a much better way to get a feel for an area, and you can also find some hidden gems that don’t appear on larger estate agent websites,” says Bob Gray.]
Searching the internet for studio space might have the advantage of speed, but you won’t be getting there via the internet superhighway. It’s best to get out and walk around until you find somewhere you like. “This is a much better way to get a feel for an area, and you can also find some hidden gems that don’t appear on larger estate agent websites,” says Bob Gray.]
Want to be your own boss? Find more advice in our Design Studio Handbook, available now.
sumber : computerarts.co.uk
