
from the blog

40 things every graphic designer should know
I recently celebrated a BIG birthday: My 19th 21st .(For the mathematically challenged, that’s my 40th birthday.)And with this important day came the arrival of my Fully-Fledged, Responsible Adult papers. From now on, I’m a middle-aged mastermind with her shit...
How to prove to your clients that your designs are awesome
How to prove to your clients that your designs are awesome (And, like, require zero revisions but #alltheapproval from them.) Hold my hand. Take a breath. And let’s take an imaginary day trip back in time to your school days. You’re there, bright-eyed and optimistic,...
Your zero-bullshit guide to running your own business as a mum
Your zero-bullshit guide to running your own business as a mumAs women/mums/business owners, we always have a lot of shit going on.Today, I have my seven-year-old home sick, plus a one-year-old that insists on cuddling the germ-ridden seven-year-old. Cute, for sure....
Why you need to increase your prices – NOW.
I remember when I first charged $1,000 for a logo design. There was a sense of giddy euphoria - followed by a disturbing dumping of dread. What had I done?! I worried. … And was it about to ruin my business? The answer, in hindsight, was a big, “Hell no.” In fact, I...
THIS is how you ensure you never work with another difficult client again
"Life isn’t always easy, Anna." These are the words my mother used to repeat when I was growing up. And as I sat at the dinner table in my freshly mum-washed clothes and waited for her to serve me the meal she’d lovingly made, I didn’t really get it. Er, of course...
How to beat burnout and still get a sh*t tonne done
“How are you?” This was the question I asked eight different lady bosses last week. And you wanna know how they all responded? “BUSY!” Yep, I get it. We’re all super fricken busy. And sure, we could go into a debate about how busy we really are and how this is all...
How to REALLY prove your worth as a graphic designer
Three designers walk into a bar. (And no, this isn’t a joke … or is it? Keep reading to find out,) Each of them has a paper bag on their head with a price written on it in black marker. In front of them, their dream client must choose just one designer to go ahead...
How to be a better designer
If you’re anything like me, you’re not willing to rest on your laurels iMac: You want to constantly grow and get better as a graphic designer. Still here? High-five. You’re my kinda lady. Now, I know I’m not the best designer in the world… but after 20 years of...
How to tame the ‘f’ words wreaking havoc in your design biz
Tired of wrestling with two choice ‘f’ words? No, I’m not talking about FUDGE … but yes, please, if you have some. And no, I don’t mean FUN … but yes, please, go ahead and have some. Instead, I’m talking about the infamous two ‘f’ words fuelling your entrepreneurial...
How to reclaim your work/life balance by being a KIND but FAIR business woman
I get it: You want to be the business that bends over backwards to make their clients happy. But … at what cost to you? Last week, we celebrated International Women’s Day. Seeing all of the positive posts on social media made me feel even luckier than normal to be...
How to use your words to get everything you want in your design biz
Work less & make more!
I may not be Kim Kardashian (thank god), but all signs suggest that I did break the internet last week. No, not with my ass. Not with my sass. But with some innocent insights into how I run my six-figure graphic design biz. You see, I thought it would be fun and...
The anxious designer’s guide to talking to clients on the phone
Ten years ago, I’d have honestly preferred to wrangle a chicken* than get my anxious arse on a phone call with a client. *And I'm crazy shit scared of chickens. Me + speaking to an actual human = epic cosmic failure. You see, after a lifetime of red-faced,...
FU FALSE BELIEFS
She’s an amazing designer and has the type of pure, unadulterated talent that makes even rainbow unicorns jealous. She’s got her own biz, she’s acing design briefs and winning clients all from the comfort of her own home. But … that’s the thing. She doesn’t ever let...
A designer’s guide to dealing with copycats
Ever had a carefree stroll through social media turn into the depressing discovery that your design work has been copied? I feel you, lady. It sucks. But … You’re not alone. There must be something in the water, because I’ve seen a lot of posts in our Designer...
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