This presentation was originally give at the Day in the Life Conference in Baltimore, MD on April 9, 2011. This candid talk looks at the less glamorous things we do at the Brian Miller Design Group. The work we showcase in our portfolio is just the tip of the iceberg. In this talk I look at everything from being ripped off to doing 17 versions of a single letter head design.

1. THE CREATIVE BUSINESS
BEHIND THE SCENES

2. INTRODUCTION

3. Brian Miller
Owner, Design Director
INTRODUCTION
Brian Miller Design Group

4. EDUCATION

5. PRIMARY
BFA, Graphic Design
Hartford Art School
MPS, Design Management
INTRODUCTION
Pratt Institute
SECONDARY
SVA, Typography Workshop
Gartner Managerial Training
Reading, reading, reading

6. EXPERIENCE

7. PRIMARY
Global Creative Director
Gartner
Associate Creative Director
INTRODUCTION
Wunderman Interactive
Senior Art Director
Publicis Modem
SECONDARY
The Atlantic Group, First Brands Corporation,
Clarion Marketing, E-Drive Marketing, etc., etc.

8. FULL TIME = 1 CLIENT
FREELANCE = MANY CLIENTS

9. 05/05/05

14. EVERYTHING I NEEDED TO KNOW
ABOUT RUNNING A DESIGN BUSINESS
I LEARNED AT SUBWAY

16. PASSION = PAY
PAY ≠ PASSION

17. WORK
(WORK, WORK and more WORK)

18. } WORK WE SHOWCASE
WORK WE USE TO KEEP THE LIGHTS ON

35. THIS BUSINESS WOULD
BE GREAT IF IT WEREN’T
FOR THE CLIENTS

38. + 10-MOM FOCUS GROUP
+ 1 DESIGN INTERN
=

41. + 1 BRAND STRATEGIST
+ 1 DIY LOGO SOFTWARE
=

44. + 1 DATED SERIF
+ 1 ILLEGIBLE SCRIPT
=

46. IMITATION IS THE MOST...

52. SOCIAL MEDIA

54. AWARDS SHOWS
EGO FOOD

56. SERVICE
SOUL FOOD

59. PRO-BONO

61. SIDE PROJECTS

64. WRITING

66. The phrase “above the fold” reminds us
that there are both close similarities and vast
differences between print and Web design.

67. Analyze Client User Plan
Above the Fold
Designer
Design

68. TEACHING

71. KNOW YOUR GOAL

72. MANAGE YOUR TIME

73. MANAGE YOUR CLIENTS

74. MANAGE YOUR RECEIVABLES

75. MANAGE YOUR CASH

76. MANAGE YOUR IMAGE

77. Q&A

78. THANK YOU