Some of my creative coaching clients think that being poor makes them actually more creative. What do you think: does poverty make you more creative? Do you have this idea in your head ‘to suffer for your art’? Do you love ‘make and do’? That frugal attitude might help you to save money in the [...] Read more »
The Design Doctor: Help, a department store wants to place a bulk order
Dear Design Doctor I have a company wanting to take my products to a meeting with a very large department store, and they have requested information from me as below: prices per unit when ordered in batches 25/50/100/200/500/1000? to provide lead times on above amount? can i give Exclusivity? Is this product covered by your [...] Read more »
The Design Trust webinar: Speak like a TED Talker, become better at public speaking with Sarah Lloyd-Hughes
Do you find public speaking scary? Most of us do! Whether you are pitching for business, doing a talk, or running a workshop or training session, there is no better way to influence and inspire people and potential clients about your work than through powerful, passionate and authentic public speaking. Sarah Lloyd-Hughes is a coach, [...] Read more »
3 tips to price your crafts from designer silversmith Sidsel Dorph-Jensen
Sidsel Dorph-Jensen is a Danish award-winning designer-silversmith, who studied at the Royal College of London. She designs & makes unique silver tableware, and was awarded Silversmith of the Year 2011. Using her own experiences as a crafter and her love for marketing & running a business, she also [...] Read more »
9 top tips to photograph crafts and jewellery
An image can say more than a 1,000 words, so it is essential that your photographs give out the right message. The 9 tips below show you step-by-step show what to look out for when photographing your crafts, design work or jewellery. 1. Work with a professional photographer Using a professional photographer might [...] Read more »
The Design Doctor: How to write a design brief and design quote?
Dear Design Doctor I am a recent furniture design graduate and a client has approached me to work on a small design project designing and making an outdoor bench. I am really excited, but don’t really know how to go about this. Where do I start? The Design Doctor for this challenge is Patricia van [...] Read more »
The Design Doctor: How to calculate my freelance design rate?
Dear Design Doctor I am a new web designer and need to know how much I can charge for my daily or hourly rate. Do I just charge what others are charging, or is there another way? The Design Doctor is Patricia van den Akker, Director of The Design Trust: “Web design is a [...] Read more »
The Design Doctor: How to make terms & conditions for my graphic design business?
Dear Design Doctor I am a graphic designer and I need to make my terms and conditions. Can I just use somebody else’s or do I need to have this written up by a solicitor? The Design Doctor for this topic is Patricia van den Akker, Director of The Design Trust: “Terms and conditions [...] Read more »
How to start or improve your craft or design blog: The Design Trust’s personal journey and favourite blogging resources
Many designers and especially crafters want to start a blog. Why? To showcase your latest work and portfolio, to get new clients or new work. To share your inspiration and images with your friends, colleagues, (potential) clients. To be creative online, tell stories, develop ideas in the process and share with others. To promote yourself, [...] Read more »
What is niche marketing? And 8 good reasons why you should bother and not worry about loosing out
There is a lot of talk on small business websites about the importance of creating your own niche. So what is that all about? What is niche marketing? A niche is a focused, targetable part of the market. You are a specialist providing a product or service that focuses on specific client group’s needs, which [...] Read more »