Daniel Schutzsmith started Graphic Define around the same time there was a hugh surge in designers taking to blogging. The reason I know is because I was one of several trying it out. While we were putting the finishing touches on BoDo, Daniel was doing the same with Graphic Define. Since he has now reached Issue 4, I thought it was about time I asked Daniel for a bit of background on his switch from a single author blog, to a multiple author ezine.

Graphic Define was originally started as a blog that expressed my learnings and frustrations as a business manager at a graphic design studio in NYC. After three successful years of sharing my own thoughts and experiences, I was becoming very interested in hearing what others had to say on the same business topics. In January 2007, I shut down the blog for three months and redesigned the entire backend and frontend to transform into an ezine with multiple contributors, distinct monthly issues, and the ability to expand the website as new ideas come to fruition.

Some of the specific ideas that are about to debut with the next few issues are:

• a Wiki focusing on the business of design, that allows any web passer by to add their own links or experiences to share with the design community at large;
• a Social Network that keeps track of all other design social networks such as Designer ID, Design Related, AIGA Jobs Profile and more;
• an issue based Video Podcast with interviews of industry professionals whom share anecdotes of their successes and failures;
• and several other ideas that are in the Graphic Define lab right now, getting ready for prime time.

The response to Graphic Define has been tremendously supportive, from both readers and interested contributors. I think everyone gets jazzed about business because it has always been something that we’re not suppose to talk about with our design peers (aka competitors), but I truly believe that the more we talk about business, the better off all of us in the industry will be.

Graphic Define’s roundup for Issue Four is a grand one and features one of my favourite people, Debbie Millman with How To Think Like A Great Graphic Designer. The post is a taster from her soon to be published book, How to Think Like a Great Graphic Designer, 20 Interviews with the world’s greatest graphic designers.

David Parrish has What are you selling, really? and Pam Bryan gives Four Easy Lessons and a Simple Truth. Jennifer Blais gives us advice on How to Green Your Office and Stay in the Black. There’s also Focused? by Eric Karjaluoto, Catalytic Creativity: Brand Promises Can Change Lives by Florence Haridan, Tool Cards by Chuck Green, and Your Creative Collective by Steven Gordon. Ilise Benun covers a subject near to all our hearts: What to Do When a Prospective Client Doesn’t Respond to Your Proposal and lastly, there’s Emily Cohen’s Are Consultants in Your Future?.

We’ll alert our readers when Graphic Define updates but you can add GD to your bloglines or Netvibes or link into the feed for a quicker fix.

Until the next
Resourceful Friday,
cat