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6th out of 8 books
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17 voters
Design Is a Job (A Book Apart #7)
Co-founder of Mule Design and raconteur Mike Monteiro wants to help you do your job better. From contracts to selling design, from working with clients to working with each other, this brief book is packed with knowledge you can’t afford not to know.
Paperback, 135 pages
Published
April 10th 2012
by A Book Apart
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I would work for Mike Monteiro. It's not often someone's personality comes across so clearly in a book. His book shows him as a forthright upstanding man.
He has a wonderfully concrete style with humor smattered throughout. Design is a Job is his simple, straightforward advice on how to succeed as a designer. I expect a lot of this advice is common sense to people who have experience in business or networking, but it wasn't altogether obvious to me; I found it reassuring to read some basic princ...more
He has a wonderfully concrete style with humor smattered throughout. Design is a Job is his simple, straightforward advice on how to succeed as a designer. I expect a lot of this advice is common sense to people who have experience in business or networking, but it wasn't altogether obvious to me; I found it reassuring to read some basic princ...more
Mike Monteiro is someone I have repeatedly followed and unfollowed on Twitter over the last few years. His occasional clever wit and insight is largely eclipsed by his brash and arrogant stream-of-consciousness. He picks fights, makes fun of people, and is probably one of the design field's most notorious smug assholes.
Yet, somehow, in Design is a Job his grouchiness melts away. His arrogance becomes helpful confidence. His gripes transform into wisdom learned the hard way. Foul-mouthed cursing...more
Yet, somehow, in Design is a Job his grouchiness melts away. His arrogance becomes helpful confidence. His gripes transform into wisdom learned the hard way. Foul-mouthed cursing...more
This succinct book is densely packed with sage business advice for designers (especially web designers). Monteiro rightly calls it “a guide to making a living as a designer”, and shows that he has a lot of experience in the industry. It’s quite funny; I laughed out loud several times. My favorite chapters were Getting Clients, Choosing the Right Clients, Charging for Your Work, and Working with Contracts.
I especially liked Monteiro’s description of the role of design. He says that designers aren...more
I especially liked Monteiro’s description of the role of design. He says that designers aren...more
Let’s face it, there are plenty of books around telling you how to run a business. It’s always more interesting (and somewhat rarer) when someone tells you how to run your type of business.
That’s right, folks. Design is a Job is written by the leader of a website design company, Mule, and is primarily written for other website professionals.
But, if you’re not a website designer, don’t look away now! It’s also extremely valuable for those who work with, or commission, almost any kind of designer....more
That’s right, folks. Design is a Job is written by the leader of a website design company, Mule, and is primarily written for other website professionals.
But, if you’re not a website designer, don’t look away now! It’s also extremely valuable for those who work with, or commission, almost any kind of designer....more
1 like · like · see review
When I sat down to write this (and I wrote it once already but tumblr ate it so I’m hoping I can write it again with pretty much the same words) I knew I’d end up reviewing not just the book, but the author. Which is okay as in the case, the book is the man.
If you know Mike Monteiro simply as @Mike_FTW on twitter - the guy with the acerbic wit, the guy willing to start and finish an argument with brutal belligerence, the guy who is as honest as he is funny - then what you probably don’t know is...more
If you know Mike Monteiro simply as @Mike_FTW on twitter - the guy with the acerbic wit, the guy willing to start and finish an argument with brutal belligerence, the guy who is as honest as he is funny - then what you probably don’t know is...more
The best book related to design or business that I've ever read. So much of the advice is obvious yet most of us are not doing them. Mike gets straight to the point with his advice and backs up his knowledge with real world examples. This short book is full up with useful tips and I made so many notes while reading through it.
Like all A Book Apart publications this is a short read and you should be able to read it in a couple of sittings. Having said that it contains as much good advice as 10 bi...more
Like all A Book Apart publications this is a short read and you should be able to read it in a couple of sittings. Having said that it contains as much good advice as 10 bi...more
There's no doubt that Mike Monteiro is probably a grade A arsehole to deal with. He pretty much says as much in this book and who are we to argue. He also knows his craft exceptionally well and details all the things they should teach people in design school.
Design is a job and not an opportunity to explore creativity. Monteiro discusses all the skills a designer needs and the ammunition and armor required to be good at one's job and make the world a better place through design.
Recommended for a...more
Design is a job and not an opportunity to explore creativity. Monteiro discusses all the skills a designer needs and the ammunition and armor required to be good at one's job and make the world a better place through design.
Recommended for a...more
First off, this book would have been really handy for me back when I was in school. I made a lot of freelancer mistakes right after graduation that this book could have helped me avoid, or even just handle a little better. This book needs to be a mandatory for design students everywhere. Actually, mandatory for designers everywhere, whatever the level of experience may be. I'd also extend my recommendation to anyone that is involved anywhere in the workflow of shipping design. From freelancers t...more
Quite possibly the best written book about how to be a designer effectively from a completely rational point of view. Easy and quick and funny as hell.
I don't work in agencies anymore, so the first few chapters weren't applicable, however chapters 5 thru 7: Sticking to Your Process, Presenting Design, and Managing Feedback were the best 30-ish pages I have ever read that are directly applicable and practical for my everyday design life. Every designer - I don't care if you're a beginner or exper...more
I don't work in agencies anymore, so the first few chapters weren't applicable, however chapters 5 thru 7: Sticking to Your Process, Presenting Design, and Managing Feedback were the best 30-ish pages I have ever read that are directly applicable and practical for my everyday design life. Every designer - I don't care if you're a beginner or exper...more
Mike Monteiro is, in one word, polarizing. How polarizing? This excerpt will give you an idea:
"A Designer solves problems within a set of constraints. [..]
What kind of problems? Well, that's what determines the kind of designer you are. [..] If you're sixteen and holding an empty toilet paper roll in one hand and a piece of aluminum foil in the other, you're an industrial designer."
With his experience and the occasional arrogance, see above, he not only manages to keep you interested, he also ma...more
"A Designer solves problems within a set of constraints. [..]
What kind of problems? Well, that's what determines the kind of designer you are. [..] If you're sixteen and holding an empty toilet paper roll in one hand and a piece of aluminum foil in the other, you're an industrial designer."
With his experience and the occasional arrogance, see above, he not only manages to keep you interested, he also ma...more
Note: I don’t think this counts as a review in the strictest sense. I’ve tried to explain why, and in what way Design is a Job has helped me get a start in web design without too much lying to myself. If you want to know what’s in the book, just go read it, it’s not that long.
When you are new to something, every step seems nearly impossible. I started freelancing some ten months ago, about half a year after graduating. I started my own business for several reasons, the most important one being m...more
When you are new to something, every step seems nearly impossible. I started freelancing some ten months ago, about half a year after graduating. I started my own business for several reasons, the most important one being m...more
Short and to the point, Design Is a Job is a must-read for anyone who works as a designer, and a great read for anyone who works with clients, period. Not everything will apply to everyone, but there are plenty of words of wisdom which will. Even as a software developer, I found plenty to chew on and digest. The book is punchy and useful, and it'll hardly hurt at all. In fact, you'll be done with it before you know it. Of course, then, you'll want to read it again.
This book had me hooked from the first page:
"So I wrote you a book. It has a spine and by the time you're done reading so will you."
Gold.
The chapters on Presenting Design (7) and Managing Feedback (8) were excellent: to boil it down, if you're not getting good feedback from clients it's your fault. You need to guide the conversations to get the feedback you need, and help them become comfortable with the design decisions you've made.
"So I wrote you a book. It has a spine and by the time you're done reading so will you."
Gold.
The chapters on Presenting Design (7) and Managing Feedback (8) were excellent: to boil it down, if you're not getting good feedback from clients it's your fault. You need to guide the conversations to get the feedback you need, and help them become comfortable with the design decisions you've made.
Mike is an excellent writer and this book is exactly what the typical young designer who is shy about money, insecure about his value, and thinks of himself as a temperamental artist needs. Tons of great advice and anecdotes and experienced designers will enjoy, too. I'd summarize it something like this: Grow up, treat everyone with respect (especially your *dumb* clients), put on some big boy pants, and do killer work.
Excellent read on living and working in the design business. Lots of great advice on legal stuff, getting paid, and working with other people. There were many topics he covered I had never given much thought to, because I unfortunately mostly work solo at my job with nowhere near as much client contact as Mike recommends. A worthwhile read, but if you're sensitive to profanity you may want to look elsewhere. It never bothered me.
This should be the first book you read the day you decide to start earning money on designing - be it web, graphic or any other kind!
It covers most of the usual pits and failures, that any (especially new) designers will meet. And while it won't always stop them from happening, it gives you great insight in how it happened and shows you a way out of it.
Greatly written in a humoristic style, which keeps the book fun while educational.
It covers most of the usual pits and failures, that any (especially new) designers will meet. And while it won't always stop them from happening, it gives you great insight in how it happened and shows you a way out of it.
Greatly written in a humoristic style, which keeps the book fun while educational.
I'm not a freelancer or in a small design house where I need to worry about things like billing and contracts (or then again maybe I do, there are things that have gone wrong for me that this suggests should have had expectations set in initial negotiations...), but the advice in here was still well worth reading, especially chapters on process, presenting, and managing feedback.
Mike Monteiro cares deeply about design as a practice, and about helping designers succeed in their careers. Written with honesty and humor, Monteiro accurately breaks the design practice into manageable components: clients, billing, getting jobs, and working hard. This book is a must-read for new designers.
This book is wonderful. Mike gives you all the advice teachers are afraid to give you. He digs into the awkward and difficult issues we all face, from how to write a contract to how to fire someone. I would recommend this to anyone figuring out how to run a business or be in-charge of people. Great read. Great topics.
Bar none, the best, smartest, and funniest book I've read on what it takes to run a creative business. And I mean that—this is far more widely applicable than the title and imprint suggests. [Reviewed via an advanced reader e-copy, but I read the book-book after, and it's awesome, too.]
This book is aimed at web designers, but is essential reading for anyone working in the services industry. Mike has a unique way of telling things how they are and cutting the crap.
If I ever have employees, reading this book will be the first thing I'd ask them to do.
If I ever have employees, reading this book will be the first thing I'd ask them to do.
Hilarious. Mike's personality really comes across in this book. If you're any kind of freelancer you should definitely read this. And even if you're not it teaches you a lot about how to work with people and everyone can use some help in that department.
This is a book every. single. designer or "knowledge worker" should read. Very few books make that list for me; there was a little harsh language for those that wish to be wary of those things, but I can't say enough good things about what Mike has written.
A must-read for any visual designer. It's a perfect mix of practical advice and encouragement, and you finish the book feeling like Mike is your loving, protective (and maybe slightly disappointed in you) uncle that really wants you to do the right thing.
May 05, 2012
Kristen
added it
Man, I really liked this. And all Mike Monteiro's talks and articles. I like the no-bullshitness and advice. That kind of advice is hard to come across. (It's so much easier to find a million articles about optimizing your social media strategy or what not.)
This is essential for anyone who is a designer, a creative professional, a freelancer, or running their own small business. More than anything else, I love Mike's advice to remember everyone has a life and problems and wants to make good shit. Treating people with respect and civility goes a long way.
A really useful and funny book on the pragmatic aspects of design which are woefully lacking in design education. It's a no bullshit, reflective piece of advice that encourages designers to take ownership and responsibility of their work in how it is created, how it is sold, and how (and what) is perpetuated in society. To be a better, spined designer, read it.
A must-read for anybody doing client services. Much of the information in here you might have learned if you worked in an agency for a long time, but having it all written down in the open could save tons of trouble along the way.
Brilliant. Best thing I've read in years: the advice in this book applies to anyone building custom solutions; just substitute 'designer' with whatever your profession is.
Excerpt here: http://www.alistapart.com/articles/ge...
Excerpt here: http://www.alistapart.com/articles/ge...
Must read for every web designer and creative artist alike.
Very normal and clever thoughts about sensitive and not usually spoken subjects that define all the other stuff we do meanwhile we are not designing.
Very normal and clever thoughts about sensitive and not usually spoken subjects that define all the other stuff we do meanwhile we are not designing.
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May 20, 2012 03:17pm