By Scott C. Leuthold
Over the past 20 years of leading design teams and working with other freelance designers I have had the opportunity to possess a front row seat to the performance of countless design professionals. We are a unique breed to say the least. We each have our own unique style and character. It would be an understatement to say that the personalities span the gamut of extremes. From the Pez® Dispenser Collector who proudly displays her collection on every available space of her cubical to the anal retentive A.D. who seems to lack any real skills and yet refers to them self as, "I'm the A.D." as often as the opportunity arises.
The positions we hold in Corporate America are at the heart of any organization that pedals a product or service. Without something to present, the sales professional would have difficulty executing his responsibilities. Sales would lack and businesses would fail to meet projections. Now, I'm not saying that a company is in peril without a designer, however, true success in any corporation depends on us.
Independently, we freelance our way into existence entering a vast sea as a tiny fish. Fierce competition chases behind ready to swallow us whole. We enter the work force, some of us with a college diploma and others with nothing more than a computer and raw talent, armed with the tools to create until our hearts are content. Many of us press on with the drive and motivation to see success materialize - and even some of us, with the talent and creativity to truly make it. But, reality eventually sets in. To achieve real success in Graphic Design, we must each eventually master key practices. For those who do, leadership is likely in the cards. Leadership roles in the business present greater challenges yet with those challenges come greater rewards. As self-employed professionals, leadership roles mean competitive small businesses that eventually may grow into champions of local markets or even the entire industry.
It matters little, really, what preceded the designers arrival into the industry. I have seen it all. As a Creative Director, I recall one experience where I had two designers (both female – not that it matters much) on my team who just didn’t get along. Neither one had a great deal of experience...
