Field Guide: how to be a graphic designer

[I] Graphic design(ers) : Omnipresent in the present : Graphic design today ; Peer pressure

Versatility vs. specialization : The Jack of all trades ; The specialist

Disciplines : Advertising ; Print ; Illustration ; Identity ; Books/editorial ; Typography ; Packaging ; Web/interface/interactive ; Signage

Trends or style : The good, the bad, and the ones that work ; Doing your own thing

Every time someone says "Ethics" a designer loses his wings : Saving the world ; Saving yourself

[II] Education : Good to know is difficult to learn : Why go to school? ; How to pick what is good for you ; Internship ; I can teach myself ; Never too late

[III] Welcome to wonderland : Roll up your sleeves : The hunt ; Resume ; Portfolio ; The job interview ; Get ready for some cross-examining

Modus operandi : Who is who? ; Practicing patience

Teamwork : One leader to rule them all ? ; Freelancing

[IV] Down the rabbit hole : Self employment it is! : Beware of the pitfalls ; Setting up : What is a design studio?

Getting new work : Who do I want for my client? ; Big or small?

Communicate with your client : Do's and don'ts ; Sometimes your business relationships turn sour

Growing bigger : Pick me! Pick me!

[V] Creativity : Optimize your creative output

So-called techniques : Brainstorming and such ; Role-playing ; Workshops

Motivation : Fighting the demons ; Never stop learning ; Keep on growing as a designer

[VI] Projects A-Z : You can manage : The brief ; Getting all you need from the client ; Framework ; Research ; Get your hands dirty ; Presenting your final idea ; Production ; Evaluation and reflection

Appendix : The checklist : Naming documents and folders ; Quality control ; In Adobe veritas ; Archive.