Lee Ann Dufour Design

I recently had a chat with Andrew Murray and Adam Hines, two good friends and the great minds behind the "Guys with Pencils" podcast. We discuss what it's like to graduate from art school and choose to work in an unrelated industry during the day while doing freelance at night. I tried to stress the importance of having a basic understanding of business principles. I also happen to swear a lot in this episode so I apologize in advance to anyone that might offend. :)

You can check out the episode by clicking on the image above or on this link: http://guyswithpencils.tumblr.com/post/49776547669/guys-with-pencils-episode-110-the-art-and

Also check out some of Guys with Pencil's other episodes to hear from some of the most influential people in the animation/games industry today. http://guyswithpencils.tumblr.com

For this episode, I put together a list of my favourite business reference books for freelance artists:

1. Talent is Not Enough: Business Secrets for Designers by Shel Perkins

http://www.amazon.ca/Talent-Not-Enough-Business-Designers/dp/0321702026/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1367289738&sr=8-2&keywords=talent+is+not+enough

2. The Business of Design: Balancing Creativity and Profitability by Keith Granet
http://www.amazon.ca/Business-Design-Balancing-Creativity-Profitability/dp/1616890185/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1367289951&sr=1-2&keywords=business+of+design

3. How to be an Illustrator by Darrel Rees
http://www.amazon.ca/How-Be-Illustrator-Darrel-Rees/dp/1856695301/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1367290013&sr=1-1&keywords=how+to+be+an+illustrator

4. The Graphic Design Business Book by Tad Crawford
http://www.amazon.ca/GRAPHIC-DESIGN-BUSINESS-BOOK-Crawford/dp/1581154305/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1367290082&sr=1-1&keywords=graphic+design+business+book

5. G.A.G.'s Handbook of Pricing and Ethical Guidelines by Graphic Artists Guild
http://www.amazon.ca/Graphic-Artists-Handbook-Pricing-Guidelines/dp/0932102158/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1367290172&sr=1-1&keywords=handbook+pricing+ethical+guidelines

(All the above books include sample contracts)

6. The Strategic Designer: Tools and Techniques for Managing the Design Process by David Holston
http://www.amazon.ca/Strategic-Designer-Techniques-Managing-Process/dp/1600617999/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1367290316&sr=1-1&keywords=the+strategic+designer

7. The Designer's Guide to Marketing and Pricing: how to win clients and what to charge them by Ilise Benun and Peleg Top
http://www.amazon.ca/Designers-Guide-Marketing-Pricing-Clients/dp/1600610080/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1367290403&sr=1-1&keywords=designers+guide+to+marketing+and+pricing

8. The Designer's Guide to Business and Careers: how to succeed on the job or on your own by Peg Faimon
http://www.amazon.ca/Designers-Guide-Business-Careers-Succeed/dp/1600611567/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1367290459&sr=1-1&keywords=designers+guide+to+business+and+careers

I hope you enjoy the show!