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. _________________________________________________ 🚀 Futur Accelerator The step-by-step blueprint and coaching program designed to get your creative business off the ground: https://thefutur.com/accelerator 🥇 Futur Pro The professional creative community designed to grow your personal brand, your business, and your network: https://thefutur.com/pro ✍️ Other Courses, Templates, and Tools: https://thefutur.com/shop 🎙 The Futur Podcast: https://thefutur.com/podcast Recommended books, tools, music, resources, typefaces & more: https://thefutur.com/recommendations Music by Epidemic Sound: http://share.epidemicsound.com/thefutur Shorts Playlist: null We love getting your letters. Send them here: The Futur c/o Chris Do 1702 Olympic Blvd. Santa Monica, CA 90404 *By making a purchase through any of our affiliate links, we receive a very small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps us on our mission to provide quality education to you. Thank you. — 🎙 Futur Podcast: https://thefutur.com/podcast/ ✍️ Futur Blog: https://thefutur.com/blog/ Jose Caballer: https://twitter.com/joseCaballer Chris Do: https://twitter.com/theChrisDo Credits: Executive Producer– Chris Do Hosts– Chris Do Director– Aaron Szekely Cameraman– Aaron Szekely, Andrew Truong Producer– Aaron Szekely Editor– Aaron Szekely Show Open– Designed by William VanSkaik, animated by Bara Kwon Musical Director– Adam Sanborne === *By making a purchase through any of our affiliate links, we receive a very small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps us on our mission to provide quality education to you. Thank you.