Studio Culture
Here’s a brief look inside one of my latest graphic design reads: Studio Culture: The secret life of the graphic design studio.
Edited by Tony Brook and Adrian Shaughnessy, here’s the blurb:
Studio Culture provides a unique glimpse into the inner workings of 28 leading graphic design studios. In a series of penetrating interviews, the secret life of the studio is revealed, and the mechanics of building and maintaining a vibrant studio culture are laid bare with disarming frankness.
The two editors Brook and Shaughnessy signed the inside, which was a nice touch.
The book is filled with stories from the business of design — from balancing the books to hiring interns and clients. On page 10, for instance, Nicola of London-based Build said, “We don’t do printed portfolios. It just doesn’t seem relevant any more. A couple of times in the past I dropped one off at clients. They’d sit on it for a month and go ‘Oh, we didn’t get a chance to look at it.’”
Interviewed throughout the book are inspiring design studios such as Edenspiekermann, Universal Everything, Milton Glaser, Inc., Coast, Pentagram, and many more.
The Milton Glaser interview was of particular interest, and he described his office like this:
My office, which has always been more or less the same, is a big undifferentiated room. I sit in one place in the room, in the same relationship to the rest of the room as everybody else. There is no visual hierarchy.
I love the overall design by Spin, but what is it about design books and tiny type? Maybe it’s just how my eye-sight isn’t what it once was.
From the website:
Studio Culture is a book for both seasoned professionals who have been running studios for years, and for idealistic designers contemplating starting up. It is the complete guide to creating, maintaining and growing a studio culture.
312pp, 165×230mm, 4 colour + 1 PMS
£24.95 + P&P
You can buy your copy today, direct from Unit Editions.
For more design book recommendations, visit my bookstore.
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I remember sitting down on the floor in the design section at Borders studying this one for like an hour. I’m glad you brought it up, I have a tendency to forget titles of books I feel the need to own.
Those gosh darn designers and their teeny type. Don’t they realize most of us spend over 12 hours a day, sitting a foot away from our glowing rectangles. My optometrist told me my eyesight isn’t “bad” (I’ve grown a bit near-sighted). It’s just adapted to my profession.
Nice post. You do realize what a crazy marketing tool you’ve become with this blog right?
Regarding
I’m quite a fan of smaller texts. Even in your Logo Design Book (which I am onto page 57 as we speak), I actually find the text a little too large and loosely-tracked. However, I surmise that, like Raul, many readers prefer it that way.
I know that no matter what text size is used, “you can’t please the masses”, and type size preference is a drawback when it comes to the printed word.
To divert from the content of this article; I’m really enjoying your book David – learning much from it already, great job.
David,
I was interested in buying this book, but I have come to find from your online store (which i assume is run through amazon) I cannot purchase kindle books. I can find the book in kindle form on amazon.com but was hoping you could get your affiliate commission.
Is there a fix for this?
-Tyler
Looks pretty interesting. I did a very short version of something like that my last semester in college.
It sounds like some of the comments in the books aren’t specifically related to running a design studio, but could work for just about any small business.
I’ve also purchased the book and find it an interesting read, but the type is REALLY too small.
It’s kind of stressfull to read it, could have been done better.
Sounds like a pretty interesting read, or more like a coffee table book I’d always be ‘getting round’ to reading.
For those working in agencies and freelancing alike, it’s always interesting to see how it works in other studios. I’m sure there’s a lot to take away as to how you can improve your own working environment and processes.
Tiny type blows, my eyes suck enough.
I like how your optometrist describes your sight, Raul — adapted to the profession. It’s only during the past three years that I discovered astigmatism of the eye. Apparently one in three people suffer from it, and it becomes more prevalent as we get older.
Andrew, I’m glad you’re really enjoying my book, and I hear you about not pleasing the masses. Quite the impossible task.
Tyler, that’s very kind of you to want to give me commission. I’m unsure if there’s a way to move from my little Amazon store to the main Amazon site while keeping the affiliate system intact, so don’t worry about it. But thank you.
Chris, there’s definitely a lot of overlap between design businesses and those outwith the profession. We all deal with finances, clients / customers, hiring, firing etc.
Jesse, Nathan, glad I’m not alone. I didn’t want to mention anything negative about the book, because the content is great, and a lot of care has been taken over the page layouts, but I had to mention the type size.
What a great book recommendation David. I especially like the part regarding physical portfolios. I keep hearing from various agencies that printed portfolios are being used less and less. It seems there is a major move to online portfolios, even to showcase print designs. Agencies and individuals can easily change out their online portfolios as needed and potential clients/employers can quickly look over portfolio work. It seems to be a win/win situation
This will definitely be added to my list of books to read.
Glad I read through this post. I will have to get my hands on a copy. Great article.
No worries at all, Jeremy, Michael. Hope you have a great weekend.
David,
just ordered your book, but I was wondering…what is your set up at work? You know, type of computer, software and any other accessories you use that help you create.
-michael
Thanks for ordering a copy, Michael.
Most of my computer-based work is done on a MacBook Pro, but of healthy importance is a sketchpad and pen. Software = Adobe Creative Suite. Most important tool, my brain.
I hope you’re well.
Cheers for the book recommendation Dave. I’m in the process of planning a move to a new studio space so this book is spot on. Would be interested to find out more about your own working environment.