A graphic design business, like other enterprises requires well-articulated goals to achieve the desired growth objectives. For upcoming designers, the goal can be as simple as becoming a better illustrator. In the medium to long term, an established freelance designer may want to establish a studio or become a skillful coder. Entrepreneurs, who’ve worked their way up, often enjoy personal fulfillment, which can be anything from job flexibility to satisfactory personal savings.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, design professionals that lack solid goals stand a high risk of losing the business focus. Dan Doyle Pleasantville NY is an upstanding professional photography and a creative graphic designer. He owns a studio that specializes in event, wedding and retail photography. Dan Doyle is also adept in digital design, branding strategies and marketing. He attributes the successes he has achieved over the years to in-born creativity, solid tool-belt and business strategy.
Dan Doyle Pleasantville NY shares goal setting tips for graphic designers.
1. Set achievable SMART goals
Graphic designers looking to grow their businesses need to set SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-bound). The goals must be prioritized based on impact or importance. When answering the specific goal question, designers need to disclose what they want to accomplish and how goals will be achieved. To avoid unnecessary drag and confusion, it is advisable to focus on one goal at a time. Based on the timelines, the SMART goals can be pictured using the following short to long term analysis:
• Immediate and ongoing goals (i.e. instituting a policy to use written contracts when doing any business; separating personal finances from business finances)
• Short term goals (i.e. setting up a blog or website that attracts more than 1000 visitors a month; devoting at least 3 days a month on charity design work)
• A year from now (making a gross income of more than $50,000)
• 5 years from now (having an active client for 5 years running; establishing a self-relying graphic design studio or training center)
2. Keep track of your goals
Business goals must be tracked regularly to measure progress. You can easily use a notebook to check off the progress. The alternative method is using a dedicated time management App or template. Goal tracking can be done on a monthly, quarterly or yearly basis, depending on the schedule. Since life can be unpredictable and humans are prone to making mistakes, the goals should be sufficiently adaptable to cover any missteps. Under the SMART goal strategy, you can make necessary changes where there are unrealistic expectations or roadblocks preventing you from achieving your goals. To do so, you must first establish if there are compelling reasons to adjust or change your goals. While working on your goals, always remember to stay motivated.
3. Remember to continually work on soft skills
Due to the nature of their work, graphic designers must ensure they continually promote their tool-belt alongside soft skills as a long term strategy to grow business. The most desirable soft skills include:
• Communication – it is important for designers to sharpen their communication skills. Besides engaging with clients and teammates, good communication skill is crucial when explaining complex subjects and making presentations before prospects and investors.
• Time management – graphic designers are often forced to work and manage different projects with different deadlines. Having strong time management skills will enhance productivity and ensure all projects are completed on time and to the required standards.
• Active listening – while on duty, graphics designers regularly engage their immediate bosses, team members and clients. To accurately understand and translate a client’s vision, a graphic designer must inculcate active listening skills.
• Creativity – a creative designer can think out of the box and come up with compelling design ideas and concepts. This skill set can also help the designer capture the client’s vision and bring them into life in the most creative way possible.
• Persistence – as you work on your design projects, you will periodically be asked to do revisions and make changes to the initial plans. In the worst cases, you will encounter last minute project cancellations. When any of these things happen, learn not to lose your focus.
• Conflict resolution – since graphic designers don’t work in isolation, conflicts are bound to arise from time to time. A professional with conflict resolution skills can move quickly to quell any rising conflicts and use the skill to advance their own career
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