Made by James

1. Embrace Imperfection and the Power of "Why Draw?"

The perception that drawing must be good is nonsense.

Drawing as Idea Generation. Drawing isn't about creating perfect art; it's about thinking with a pencil. It's a way to visualize ideas, explore possibilities, and document the creative journey. The act of drawing allows designers to communicate their thought process, show progress, and visualize the power behind their thought process.

Emotional Connection. Handmade workings and progress on paper allow clients to form a unique bond with the design. It's about showing the human element, the process, and the story behind the logo. This approach fosters a deeper connection and understanding, making the final design more meaningful.

Brain Power Boost. Drawing increases brain power, allowing creatives to enter a deep concentration and shut off the world. It's a tool for problem-solving, idea generation, and focusing on the task at hand. Embrace the imperfections, the scribbles, and the doodles – they are all part of the process.

2. Craft Your Toolkit: Quality over Quantity

The equipment you use, especially for drawing, doesn’t have to be anything special.

Invest in Yourself. While fancy tools won't magically improve skills, investing in quality equipment that feels comfortable and inspiring is an investment in your future. Prioritize tools that enhance your process and make you excited to create.

Essential Tools. A pencil, fine liner pens, and a sketchbook are the foundation. Start with the basics and gradually upgrade as your skills and resources grow. The most important tool is your brain, so focus on developing your skills through practice and experimentation.

Brain over Tools. The best equipment will not magically improve your skills, but putting in time and practice will. Your brain is more important than the tools you use. Don't get caught up in the latest gadgets; focus on mastering the fundamentals and developing your unique style.

3. Process is King: Control the Chaos

Having a well-defined process also makes your clients feel confident and makes them believe you know what you’re doing and that you have control of the situation.

Structure and Transparency. A well-defined process is essential for keeping projects running smoothly and managing client expectations. Be transparent about your process from the beginning, outlining each stage and its purpose. This builds trust and confidence, making the client feel like they're in good hands.

Client Control. Clients hire you for your expertise, so take the reins and guide the project. A clear process prevents clients from taking over and ensures that the design stays true to your vision. Remember, you are the expert, and your process is your roadmap.

Time Management. Build in a time cushion for every project. This allows you to reflect on your decisions, handle unexpected events, and avoid unnecessary pressure. A buffer also gives you time to evaluate your decisions and sleep on your ideas.

4. Client Connection: Beyond the Transaction

Never see your client as a monetary transaction.

Relationship Building. Building a strong relationship with your clients is crucial for long-term success. Don't just focus on the first job; think about all the other possible jobs that may come from it. Be helpful, mindful, and genuinely interested in their business.

Discovery is Key. The discovery call is a valuable opportunity to understand the client's vision, values, and goals. Ask for a mood board and a design brief to gather essential information and set the tone for the project. Listen intently and ask questions to clarify their needs and expectations.

Communication is Key. Use clear and confident language when communicating with clients. Avoid phrases like "I think" that undermine your expertise. Be passionate about your work and let your enthusiasm shine through.

5. Pricing with Purpose: Value and Vision

The biggest killer of success is greed.

Value Proposition. Understanding your value proposition is essential for pricing your work effectively. What services do you offer? What markets do you cater to? What makes you different from the competition?

Pricing Formula. A simple pricing formula that worked for the author is: Hourly Rate + Time + 20% Profit. This helps you determine a fair price based on your time and expertise. Over time, you can move into a more value-based scenario for pricing.

Long-Term Vision. Don't be afraid to offer a bit of wiggle room in pricing for the right project. Sometimes making a little less profit on one job can lead to bigger opportunities down the road. Remember, it’s about building a sustainable business, not just making a quick buck.

6. Mindset Matters: Taming the Inner Critic

The biggest killer of creativity is our inability to deal with our inner voices.

Positive Self-Talk. The biggest killer of creativity is our inability to deal with our inner voices. We are our own worst enemy when it comes to self-doubt and other negative emotions that many creatives tend to have swirling around in our brains.

Effort is Free. Remind yourself daily that effort is free. It costs nothing to wake up every day and put in a good shift. Even when you're not at the top of your game, you can still put in the effort.

Long-Term Perspective. Don't focus on how good you are now; think about how good you'll be in ten years if you keep going. All good designers started out as bad ones. Patience and persistence are key to overcoming self-doubt and achieving your creative goals.

7. Community and Collaboration: The Creative Ecosystem

Knowledge can only be called knowledge if you share it.

Positive Influence. Be a positive influence in whatever community you are involved in, help others, and ask lots of questions. Don’t rely on one source or restrict your learning to one individual. Having a broad knowledge of any subject will help you define what’s useful and what isn’t.

Collaboration over Competition. Creativity has become more of a competition than a community. Instead of creating barriers, why not harness this knowledge as fuel to create?

Delegation is Key. Understanding the power of delegation is the only way to make progress on your creative journey. I don’t mean you should sit in a chair and bark orders at other people while taking zero responsibility for anything. Delegate in a way that gives you the opportunity to do what you do best.

8. Consistency and Curiosity: The Keys to Longevity

Always play the long game, as it gives your short-term productivity real clarity.

Consistent, Unpredictably Consistent. Always be true to your mission to help people get better at logo design as well as share your honest thoughts and authentic self. Share your knowledge through drawing, video, and writing. This is unpredictable because people don’t know what you are going to share next.

One Foot in the Present, One Foot in the Future. Continue to offer your knowledge freely and build your company. What can you do to help more people and be more accessible? What technology can you use to make your mission easier?

Stay Curious. If you think you have something figured out and you no longer have to work at your career because you’re the most talented human on the planet, then you have lost. Getting up early and reading is one of the single best habits you practice.

9. Failure as Fuel: Experience is the Greatest Teacher

Failure is such an important learning tool.

Embrace Mistakes. Making mistakes is part of being human, but making the same mistakes repeatedly shows a lack of self-awareness. If you continue making the same mistakes you may need to reassess your learning process, your comprehension, and how you execute decisions.

Curiosity Saves the Creative. Never rely on inspiration from only one source or industry. The world is abundant with value, knowledge, and advice. Answers to your questions are out there, so go find them.

Allow Yourself to Be Terrible. Allowing our creativity to blossom, making mistakes, doing bad work, and generally thinking we suck is important and part of the process, and shouldn’t be missed. If you ever feel anxious or worried that you’re not good enough, shift your focus. Take a step back and focus on the things you have achieved instead of the things you haven’t.

Last updated: April 24, 2025