How To: BE A HAPPIER, BETTER DESIGNER

Why do I get disappointed at my own projects? How can I avoid being disappointed in the finished results? What do I need to do to be a happier, better graphic designer? How do I avoid burnout?
Chris Do sits down with recent Art Center Graduates Michelle Fong and Emily Xie to discuss their questions on design. We're on a new set with a different backdrop and lighting. Let us know what you think and if you found this episode helpful. Would you like to talk to Chris directly? Make sure you follow him on twitter @theChrisDo.
Annotation by AVIAN
1:33 Measuring the success of a project according to how much the end result matches the result in your head is a recipe for disaster and stagnation. Instead, measure it by how much you've grown from the process.
3:30 Count what went right and what you learned during a critique, not just what went wrong. It will give fuel to your motivation.
6:30 Avoid dissapointing clients: under-promise, over-deliver. Have objective, concrete goals (marketing, metrics, etc) instead of subjective, vague ones (aesthetics).
8:50 Know your rate BEFORE you go into the meeting. What's your skill level relative to everyone else? How much $$ is this biz making?
The most dangerous thing you can do you is overprice your skillset. It creates friction where there is none.
Meet them in the middle with a question back: I'd really like to work here. I have other offers but my preference is to work here. What makes sense to you based on what I do? Because I trust you.
If it's a good offer, but a time contingency on it to review: That sounds reasonable to me, lets try this for the next 3 weeks and review at the end.
It's easier to raise your rate than to blow up a job. Your reputation is all you have.
11:15 Seek feedback from the person you report to. Set goals within time period to benchmark yourself. When you complete all your tasks, go ask for other ways you can be of help to the company.
12:19 Don't go past the sale: When you're hired, stop trying to sell yourself.
14:01 Maintaining client relationships: Don't take the client for granted. You have a livelihood because they're paying you to service them. All companies are marketing and customer service companies. Period.
Absent a narrative, people invent one: Create a structure to maintain consistent, transparent communication of where you are in your process. If they don't know what you're doing, they'll assume the worst.
Give yourself a deadline cushion, always better for the client to perceive that you're delivering before the due date.
18:40 The truth will set you free. This takes confidence. If you mess up on a job, diffuse the client's anger: I'm sorry, I screwed up. I'll fix it. No excuses.
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[@AdnanTalic8]

"UNDERPROMISE - OVERDELIVER" - so deep!

[@thefutur]

Adnan Talic #truth.

[@vain3d973]

All of us who do creative work, we get into it because we have good taste. But there is this gap. For the first couple years you make stuff, it’s just not that good. It’s trying to be good, it has potential, but it’s not. But your taste, the thing that got you into the game, is still killer. And your taste is why your work disappoints you. A lot of people never get past this phase, they quit. Most people I know who do interesting, creative work went through years of this. We know our work doesn’t have this special thing that we want it to have. We all go through this. And if you are just starting out or you are still in this phase, you gotta know it’s normal and the most important thing you can do is do a lot of work … It is only by going through a volume of work that you will close that gap, and your work will be as good as your ambitions … It’s gonna take awhile … You’ve just gotta fight your way through.

[@thefutur]

Awesome Leon. There's a gap between your current skill level and your taste. When they don't line up, you can get disappointed and beat yourself up. Ira Glass has a great video on this. kzbin.info/www/bejne/eHqVZIhtipeUi7s

[@vain3d973]

Wow, this was actually very valuable for me. Thank you!

[@thefutur]

Great to hear.

[@mashable8759]

I really needed this. I feel stuck

[@garnishstudio3567]

This is a direct quote from Ira Glass. Better to quote sources if you're not going to paraphrase. Excellent advice!

[@mdisiz6234]

how cool it would be to have a boss like chris !! you're an idol. period

[@thefutur]

M disiz thanks M!

[@devvvvvvvvvvvv]

Courting a few shops right now and this is incredible advice. Chris Do is such a guru.

[@thefutur]

Thanks Devin.

[@ajiaww17]

I liked the advice Chris gave about how to deal with the reality of your final design vs. what you originally pictured in your mind. I was just dealing with this this past week when I submitted a final logo design to a client, they loved it (and that was amazing), but in the back of my mind I was comparing it to what I thought it would be. So taking Chris' advice in, it really changed my perspective because I did grow and discovered new techniques along the way. I'm learning so much from these Skool Network videos, I've been watching them all week. They are definitely bridging the gap between my school education and the reality of freelancing and putting myself out there.

[@thefutur]

Thanks for sharing Ajia. Comments like yours let us know that we are making a difference. Keep taking on new challenges so that you continue to grow.

[@mattmatteucci1447]

Chris. The Skool is great especially all the advice you guys give to recent graduates and young designers. I graduated from design school three weeks ago and all of the videos on the Skool Network have been very helpful and insightful. Keep up the great work!!! Thanks.

[@thefutur]

Thanks Matt and congrats. Now onto the real world.

[@MsSquarebanana]

Great advice! I wish I would have been able to study under people like you guys. I didn't really get anything out of my design schooling (like 8 years ago.. eek) and I think everything I learned was self-taught. I would have loved to have some mentors like you guys. So glad I found your channel.

[@thefutur]

Better late than never and now you have us as virtual mentors.

[@Eikon_FF]

still rewatching these kind of mind-changing videos, Chris. Thank you!

[@michelleguzmanphoto]

I've always LOVED the audio (words) for the intro and really like the new look. Thanks for such sound pricing and customer service advice. It's always a great reminder to treat clients right. :)

[@thefutur]

Thanks Michelle. Lots of changes for the better I think but the audio is a classic. We won't be changing that for a while.

[@weeepsify]

Chris, you're so cool! I'm glued to your channel for 3 days now, .I've learned SO MUCH! Thank you thank you thank you!

[@thefutur]

hi. glad to have you on our channel.

[@geoffrey5045]

dude i just found this channel and its like "hey, I'm home". super excited to binge watch your stuff especially the uiux stuff that just came out. you seem like a really good teacher - you teach at the art center (from what i can infer from browsing around your videos?)The only reason i know that school is I live in pasadena

[@thefutur]

Thanks Geoffrey. Welcome home. Yeah, you guessed right. I'm an Art Center grad and have been teaching there for over 15 years.

[@nigellawrence2745]

Priceless with regard to the business of design! Extremely insightful. Thanks so much for such solid and relevant content.

[@thefutur]

Nigel Lawrence hi Nigel. Thanks.

[@tacomawind5472]

One of the best vids I've seen. Super packed with helpful lessons about mindset and good client relations.

[@thefutur]

Tacoma Wind thanks Tacoma.

[@brianwilliszw]

you can tell why some people excel better than others, thank you so much for this i needed it!

[@MrInsider33]

i appreciate your channel so much! probably never was as happy to find a channel as i was with yours. I'm 19 years old and starting to design (i prefer billboards), some day you will hear from me! and THEN we'll work together because you helped me SO much!

[@thefutur]

welcome and thank you.

[@watchmyvide0]

This video has given me the confidence to have an awkward conversation, and a realization that it needs to happen in order to keep a door open and to prevent a business relationship from ending. Thank you for being so clear and honest.

[@thefutur]

thanks Nicole. next week, we'll be releasing a podcast on the "Art of Communication". This will help you in how to tackle difficult conversations.

[@magicsmoke6000]

I'm not designer but I find your advice very useful and can relate a lot. Thanks Chris you have good insight.

[@thefutur]

Thanks Heiki.

[@MediodesignCaSocial]

Love the new intro! Great advices too. Awesome video as always

[@thefutur]

Thanks Medio! More great content coming. We have so many episodes that have been taped and Aaron is busy cutting them now.

[@mariedesignz1659]

Wonderful advice! I think I just broke down my creative block watching this. Take my designs way to serious. 🙌🏾🙏🏾👊🏾👏🏾 thanks!!!!

[@thefutur]

Tina Judkins yes! Glad to hear.

[@Jonesrful]

Tottaly diggin the new intro sequence. I really enjoyed the perspective on pricing; great points and insight!

[@thefutur]

Thanks Riley.

[@TuCanSam2014]

Thank you so much :) when i design i feel disappointed all the time and i haven't felt good about it until i heard what you said :)

[@thefutur]

Knight Raiqun redefine success from results to how much you've learned.

[@TuCanSam2014]

:)

[@keniabender6225]

Soo incredible helpful! You guys are faithful to the craft, and provide realistic, down to earth, advice, which is beneficial to designers on all levels. In short - thank you.

[@thefutur]

Thanks Kenia for commenting.

[@zachwooddesigns]

Great video again Chris! These lectures helped me gain PERSPECTIVE in the field. Not something that is talked about enough.

[@thefutur]

Thanks Zach. No one wants to talk about this so I'm happy to.

[@spencerfoster7878]

Imagination as an artist can be deceptive in the way it tends to conquer reality, but it can also be a killer gateway to making some badass art!

[@thefutur]

Well said.

[@_tommykuo]

Awesome advice, especially for a design student such as myself. Loving the new intro and set as well. Looking forward to more videos! Thank you

[@thefutur]

Thanks for your encouraging words Tommy.

[@DavidHager1]

Definitely appreciate the AMAs. I find a lot of what you say applies to general business and not just the business of design. I'm not in the design business at all but I've learned a lot from you. Thanks for sharing the knowledge.

[@thefutur]

Thanks David. What do you do?

[@DavidHager1]

I'm currently extremely busy trying to start off my real estate advertising business. I'm part of that advertising revolution where things are just good enough. I'm trying to be the high end of the good enough, and there is not enough time in the day to do the things I need to do, but I'm sure you already know what that's like with Blind. It's rough right now but it's a good opportunity, and I'm 18 years old so I'd say I have a lot to look forward to.

[@thefutur]

Wow! Another young gun in our audience. We've had success marketing commercial real estate properties. A case study on this is coming. Perhaps that will help you in your process.

[@DavidHager1]

+The Skool Network definitely. Will I be able to find that on this channel here when it's out? And again thank you for sharing what you guys have learned in the business and design to the world, it's more helpful then you could imagine to us younger people with no experience yet.

[@thefutur]

You bet. That will be on this channel when it's released. If you need additional coaching or want to join our mentoring group, considering buying a subscription to our secret FB group: www.TheSkool.co for more info.

[@rachelwongster]

love this channel so so much, the content is just so on point. Always with amazing advice.

[@timbotthedirector3079]

Question? how do you turn a client down? i would love to see a video about rejecting work vs finding it.

[@thefutur]

TIMBOT THE DIRECTOR that's easy. Ask me on FB live today. 6-9pm PST.

[@MikeMigasProduction]

Great advice from Chris Do, so true for recent graduates

[@thefutur]

Thanks Upper Planet.

[@breppbrepp]

This is amazing. So much questions that have had come up in my mind are answered in this episode. Peace Chris

[@thefutur]

Thanks Sylvan.

[@thefutur]

Where are you from and what do you do?

[@breppbrepp]

The Skool Network I'm a 19 years old Graphic Designer / Student from The Netherlands! Working heavy on my portfolio at the moment, next year i will graduate :)

[@thefutur]

+Sylvan awesome. Glad to have you in our audience.

[@breppbrepp]

+The Skool Network Thanks! I'm glad I have some channel to learn from

[@cgrisory57]

One thing that has made me a happier designer lately was reading the book The Shape of Design by Frank Chimero. He asks us to explore not only our craft (or how) but also 'the Why' behind our work. Chris, have you read it?

[@thefutur]

spottylens57 i haven't. Sounds excellent.

[@joshaceves122]

"the truth will set you free"

[@TurboJaques]

True words. Thanks for every upload.

[@thefutur]

You bet Jaques.

[@LaithWallace]

Hey Guys - I love the new intro look of the skool. Great stuff.

[@thefutur]

Thanks Laith! I'm enjoying your videos on FB too. Keep it up man.

[@Switcher321]

Awesome video, as always :D I notice you always seem wo work with fine arts people (kind of "pure" designers). I would really like to know what you think about "hybrid" degrees, like in multimedia-programmes, where you learn graphic design but you also learn some front-end development. This definitely increases your job chances in the short term, but do you think that this leads to people stretching themselves to thin, or does the perspective of the developer make you a better webdesigner?

[@thefutur]

Miron hybrids are harder to come across but one of my faves is a guy named Jason Taylor. He's a fine artist who taught himself coding.

[@Indiana-Jonas]

people find you scary because you are honest

[@thefutur]

ok. the truth hurts. sometimes.

[@jinalbhuptani2548]

Such a valuable episode!!

[@natra361]

These videos are so beneficial. Thank you!

[@thefutur]

You're welcome.

[@johannesbuchner3902]

This is so helpful! Thank you so much!

[@KitarPratiK]

One of your best video. Thanks :)

[@thefutur]

Thanks Pratik. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@RyanMinard]

Zomg love the new show title!

[@thefutur]

They did a good job right?!

[@RyanMinard]

heck yeah. the addition of the lower thirds is a nice touch too :D

[@olgapashchenko620]

Thank you for the great video guys! May I ask what are those books are on the background?

[@jllovit]

Y'gotta factor in your marketing person as generally that's where many issues occur between design and client (in advertising) as they have the tendency to do the over-promising, etc. Always the middle-man. On the flip side though, that's when you know if you got competent marketers on your team or not.

[@thefutur]

Twoclaw you have to align the team. When they over promise they should be the ones who have to deliver.

[@ahmedmahmoud-ww9zr]

Wow . Thanks a lot . You are amazing

[@thefutur]

Thank you.

[@sky-jv4bx]

Love chris !!!

[@1pdLIVE]

3:00 i dunno man... I've learned a bunch and probably could make a living off 3-5 professions... I always wanted to share my story and show the ppl who had the same childhood - you can make it even tho all the odds were against you. but i could never focus on one job / profession and make it the very best... i learn, i get really good and move on. for some reason you just make me thinking... maybe it's time to focus.

[@thefutur]

focus. go deep. change when you feel you've reached a natural conclusion.

[@stacycore6209]

Love the new intro!

[@thefutur]

Bam! Thanks Stacy.

[@germzVideos]

That was great. Mahalo

[@thefutur]

thanks germ.

[@elis2781]

Amazing advice as always. Another one

[@thefutur]

Watching episodes and taking names. Are you just jamming through the videos?

[@elis2781]

Lol yea, slow day here. Learning and trying to keep up with you guys

[@thefutur]

Great. About to drop another episode in the next day or so. I think this one is juicy.

[@elis2781]

Great! Looking forward to it!

[@PhoebeSeward]

I think this can definitely be an issue when your client's creativity and open-mindedness is lacking compared to yours, and your end result is your client's vision, rather than your own.

[@MsSquarebanana]

Definitely. There have been a few times where I designed things that my clients wanted and they were very set on a certain look. They were happy with it and it was what they wanted, so in that sense I feel like I succeeded.. but is it something I want to show other people? Not necessarily. Luckily that hasn't happened a lot.

[@thefutur]

Phoebe. I'd like to do a video response to hit comment. Could you record yourself asking this and send it to me?

[@thefutur]

However the short answer is to think of it this way- who are you serving? Who are you trying to help? Whose business will be impacted the most by the work you create? That should give you a hint as to how I feel about this. Watch the client is not your enemy episode.

[@PhoebeSeward]

I will definitely watch the client is not your enemy episode! I need help with that topic.

[@PhoebeSeward]

The Skool Network Sure thing! I'll definitely record a video and send it to you.

[@D4V1DL30N]

Hi, pls, more epiodes on how to develop great relationships with clients... nice episode. thanks for sharing

[@thefutur]

Hi David. Happy to. Would you like to ask some questions about client relationships?

[@D4V1DL30N]

Hi,.. I'd like to know more about how do you communicate so efficiently with your clients and your team, ... Now I run a one-man studio and sometimes it gets hard to keep everything on track. so what Apps do you use, how much is face to face relation vs email/messaging thing, your thoughts about speed vs quality, how to deal with tight deadlines, how to ask for more time, .. how do you use communication as a foundation for a healthy relationship with your clients.?.. Thanks.

[@thefutur]

+David León (D4V1DL30N) lots of great questions in here. I'll add these to show topics and respond.

[@ITYWML]

Great video as always. I want to know how to speak like Chris Do. Any tips? =)

[@thefutur]

practice. Read this book called How to Deliver a Ted Talk. amzn.to/2nfPww5

[@ITYWML]

Oh my gosh, thank you!!

[@Cayoroots]

I love this channel

[@thefutur]

This channel loves you back Muscle Munchkin

[@bslgrafix]

truth!

[@thefutur]

We tell no lies.

[@munirahg9471]

Hey i have i question. How do you ask a client for the balance on an overdue project? e.g. I did a design for a company about a month ago, they paid about 60% of it and told me that they'll be sending it to the head of the company for approval then i'll get the balance when it's approved. so i would LOVE to know how on earth can i get this client to pay without seeming too desperate or needy? Love your video by the way awesome advice as usual!

[@thefutur]

Nothing desperate or needy about collecting a bill for services rendered. May I suggest you follow the 50/25/25 rule? 50% up front. 25% progress payment when 75% complete. Remaining 25% upon project delivery (net 30 days with 2% payment penalty per month).

[@thefutur]

Send them a note. Ask for the remaining payment and let them know it's past due.

[@munirahg9471]

Awesome thanks :-) #respect to you.

[@thefutur]

You're welcome!

[@edwnx0]

Coincidentally, I've been reading on _the growth mindset._

[@thefutur]

Tell me more.

[@liquidcyberpunk]

"how far did you stretch an idea."in short you threw everything at the concept to the point of exhaustion.

[@thefutur]

stretch it. don't break it.

[@ramyshaer4908]

HI MAN I LIKE ALL YOUR VIDEOS >> (:

[@thefutur]

Thanks

[@ukisswin]

I have problem I'm always late I can't keep the deadline it's seems hard to me so that why my client never back to me agin

[@thefutur]

Take a project deadline and break it into 4 sprints. Each sprint you will complete the project. At first, what you do will be pretty rough, but with each successive sprint, you will make the design/interface/whatever more useable and better looking. The final sprint is where it will be most difficult for you. I imagine you are spending a lot of time focusing on micro parts of the project. At least this way you will deliver something completed to your client.

[@kemal_punkt]

thumbnail_?

[@thefutur]

kemal bsuetp not happy person.