What was it like getting work and starting your first business as design student after you graduated? The first year of running a design business. How To Get Clients. Chris talks about his first year running Blind. Then he'll takes questions. Annotations -- 01:34 How did we get work during the first year of running Blind? It was a network of former classmates, friends, and a lucky placement on the Adobe After Effects 02:59 Problems starting a creative design company in 1995 03:40 Make spec work that looks like work 05:10 How we got projects initially (lead magnets) 08:37 Be discoverable by people who are looking for quality work (Behance, Dribble) 11:35 The connections you make and the impressions that you make on people can help you in business 14:10 Learning & Building Skills while you work 17:40 The power of networking and quality work 20:19 Q: What is your research process when solving a business problem (such as customer interviews)? 21:15 Q: What are the Differences between student portfolio and professional work. 23:23 Q: What's the most important aspect of creating a graphic design agency's design process. 26:55 Q: What is an outline of a business proposal? 29:55 Q: How do you grow your business and get bigger clients? 34:00 Learn the fundamentals and change your mindset 36:38 Q: How do you recommend building your network/design, team? 39:52 Q: What are potential clients looking for in a case study? 43:42 Q: Most people need a brand identity, website, and social media marketing 46:15 Q: How do you gauge a client's budget, and how much they can afford? 48:18 Q: How do you overcome client objections to your agency size? 54:02 Q: What criteria would you keep in mind in creating a spec project to attract certain clients? 56:00 Q: When does it make sense to expand service options in a creative business? 59:00 Q: What do you value most in your business? 1:01:20 Q: What's the best way to ask for an internship? 1:03:36 Q: Is is better to build one solid relationship or branch out? 1:07:03 Q: What is your vision for the futur? 1:11:38 Q: What is the most important thing that you know now about the design industry, that you know now? 1:13:50 Q: What do you find that illustrators are missing when it comes to business? 1:15:50 Q: What would you recommend to a designer that lacks the design fundamentals? Show References --- 17:07 My first portfolio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqYIe5Y76oY 18:48 Igor Kovalik Inside/Out then later on Beast http://www.beast.tv/ The Future of the Futur FB blog post. https://www.facebook.com/notes/chris-do-business-designer/the-future-of-the-futur-a-call-for-change-in-design-education/1145380265573599/ Skillshare Affiliate link: http://skillshare.evyy.net/c/375188/298081/4650 Want to get your logo reviewed? Submit here: https://www.facebook.com/theFuturisHere/posts/617496581781398 Get the typography manual here: 📕 https://www.thefutur.com/design-students-build-first-portfolio-get-first-design-job/ Essential reading/book list from Chris Do. 📕 https://www.thefutur.com/essential-reading-creative-professionals-booklist/ Stop Stealing Sheep & Find Out How Type Works, Third Edition 📕 http://amzn.to/2pvpSVx _ Listen to the Futur podcast on iTunes: 🎙 https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-futur/id1209219220?mt=2 Android Stitcher: http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/aaron/the-futur Google Play: https://play.google.com/music/listen?u=0#/ps/Itg3hr5bs4a54w73o2toxcr4vhe Sound Cloud https://soundcloud.com/thefuturishere 🔹 HOW TO SUPPORT THE FUTUR: Purchase a Kit: https://www.thefutur.com/shop/ subscribe to the secret and private Master mind group on FB with bi-weekly webinars & exclusive videos not released anywhere else. 🔹 Music on the show from Art-list.io http://goo.gl/22VpQi 🔹 Use our Amazon Affiliate Link: http://astore.amazon.com/chrisdo-20 Buy useful design tools from Creative Market: https://creativemarket.com/?u=ChrisDo _ Connect with us online: 🔔 http://thefutur.com https://www.facebook.com/theFuturisHere/ https://twitter.com/thefuturishere Need brand strategy help? Visit Blind LA’s WEBSITE: http://blind.com Connect with Chris Do: https://twitter.com/theChrisDo Twitter https://www.facebook.com/BizOfDesign https://www.instagram.com/thechrisdo Credits: Executive Producer– Chris Do Host– Chris Do Director– Aaron Szekely Cinematography– Aaron Szekely Editor– Aaron Szekely Futur Theme Music – Adam Sanborne http://www.adamsanborne.com Annotations– Isaiah Nwukor Typefaces: Futura, Din Futur theme song— 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.