Like to start a design studio but...

• BÃ¥seline

  2 May 03, 03:53

  Since quitting from my last job(I'm a graphic designer), i have been caught in a dilemma where I would like to start a design studio wif a partner or continue to work for people.
  
  There are certainly risks involved to set up a design studio now esp wif the downturn times now. Sometimes, I must be crazy to think abt setting up one since people are losing jobs and the design market is very bad now. But on the other hand, I can't see myself working for other people for the rest of my career. The thing abt doing creative work for company is that they earn money thru your own creative juices though u get paid. But it's not something u earn directly cos in actually fact u are the one who design and come up wif the design solutions for the client, it's just so that the company 'helps' u sell the work. Who gets the credit and gd money? The company of course.
  
  Sorry to hear my rants in here. If there are designers out there who owns a design studio, do share your views and maybe can advise my hoe to set up one. Non designers are welcome too.
• BÃ¥seline

  2 May 03, 13:17

  .....
• harryryan

  2 May 03, 13:34

  me studying design n i feel it's a good idea but maybe it's too risky to start ur own studio now but hey.... it's at points of economic down turns that pple with ability stand up n prove themselves.
  
  i realise that most design studios are like specialising in a certain field.... wat u can do is to net work a core group of pple with different talents and abilities...not only in graphic design....u can make it a one stop art n design company that allows e client to have excess to graphic,interior,fashion,web page ,animation,video n movie making etc consultations n services.... this will make it more attractive as u have a wide range of services n this will allow them to come back to u again if they need something else done...
  
  you might wanna use some students as that reduces costs n that will mean more profit.... the important thing is that by giving them exposure u r also giving urself the chance to work with artists or designers that might be the next big thing in a few years time n by than you would have built a friendship there and they will find no difficulty in working with u again at cheaper rates n not to mention attract more customers with their reputations.
• BÃ¥seline

  2 May 03, 14:57

  Originally posted by harryryan:

  me studying design n i feel it's a good idea but maybe it's too risky to start ur own studio now but hey.... it's at points of economic down turns that pple with ability stand up n prove themselves.
  
  i realise that most design studios are like specialising in a certain field.... wat u can do is to net work a core group of pple with different talents and abilities...not only in graphic design....u can make it a one stop art n design company that allows e client to have excess to graphic,interior,fashion,web page ,animation,video n movie making etc consultations n services.... this will make it more attractive as u have a wide range of services n this will allow them to come back to u again if they need something else done...
  
  you might wanna use some students as that reduces costs n that will mean more profit.... the important thing is that by giving them exposure u r also giving urself the chance to work with artists or designers that might be the next big thing in a few years time n by than you would have built a friendship there and they will find no difficulty in working with u again at cheaper rates n not to mention attract more customers with their reputations.

  Thanks harryryan for your suggestions. I understand that u are designer rite too ya.
  
  You do have some points there but they are great in the long run... maybe like 2-3 yrs down the road cos right now, if I have to start a studio, I probably even have to worry abt bills, rent, making cold calls and maybe do up some promo. If oni I can find one more person to partner a studio.
  
  Thanks for your comments again harryryan and all the best for your projects. I know they kinda sux.
• harryryan

  2 May 03, 16:52

  Originally posted by Bå³¥line:

  Thanks harryryan for your suggestions. I understand that u are designer rite too ya.
  
  You do have some points there but they are great in the long run... maybe like 2-3 yrs down the road cos right now, if I have to start a studio, I probably even have to worry abt bills, rent, making cold calls and maybe do up some promo. If oni I can find one more person to partner a studio.
  
  Thanks for your comments again harryryan and all the best for your projects. I know they kinda sux.

  u mean my artwrk sux or the work load of projects after projects...n i do admit that it's hard but you can work from the home first....than get a few of ur friends to help out on a free lance basis n once u r confident u can make the jump than go ahead n find a real office
• BÃ¥seline

  2 May 03, 18:20

  Originally posted by harryryan:

  u mean my artwrk sux or the work load of projects after projects...n i do admit that it's hard but you can work from the home first....than get a few of ur friends to help out on a free lance basis n once u r confident u can make the jump than go ahead n find a real office

  No, of course the workload sux. Usually have to multi task as usual for the projects right? Which school u are attending?
  
  Heh, already started some freelancing. A club flyer I did for a event is done, waiting for the spell check to come back. Will post a e-flyer once it's ok.
• harryryan

  2 May 03, 18:29

  Originally posted by Bå³¥line:

  No, of course the workload sux. Usually have to multi task as usual for the projects right? Which school u are attending?
  
  Heh, already started some freelancing. A club flyer I did for a event is done, waiting for the spell check to come back. Will post a e-flyer once it's ok.

  lasalle sia college of the arts
• BÃ¥seline

  2 May 03, 18:32

  Originally posted by harryryan:

  lasalle sia college of the arts

  I see. Dunno any of the ppl there liao. Used to have some friends over there. I'm from NAFA so can't say too much abt Laselle.
  
  
• harryryan

  2 May 03, 18:36

  Originally posted by Bå³¥line:

  I see. Dunno any of the ppl there liao. Used to have some friends over there. I'm from NAFA so can't say too much abt Laselle.
  
  

  my last year gonna be at the new campus....looking forward to it.
• GIJOE

  2 May 03, 18:42

  i am from NAFA too.. graduating this sem... when did u graduate? Me actually thinking of something like that too after i grad.. but most probably its just a sideline thing... maybe partnering with a few friedns who are designers from all diff areas. I think contacts are important... e more u have.. and with e good rapport u have with them last time... i think they will be glad to let u try. I know e market is bad..guess now its time not to be choosy. actually me also worrying bout getting a job.
• thinker

  3 May 03, 16:15

  Hi BaseLine,
  
  if u are really interested, I have an office space which can be rented out at 500 bucks per month for you to startup.
• BÃ¥seline

  4 May 03, 03:08

  Originally posted by harryryan:

  my last year gonna be at the new campus....looking forward to it.

  Good for ya. Hope you are feeling better ya.
• BÃ¥seline

  4 May 03, 03:14

  Originally posted by GIJOE:

  i am from NAFA too.. graduating this sem... when did u graduate? Me actually thinking of something like that too after i grad.. but most probably its just a sideline thing... maybe partnering with a few friedns who are designers from all diff areas. I think contacts are important... e more u have.. and with e good rapport u have with them last time... i think they will be glad to let u try. I know e market is bad..guess now its time not to be choosy. actually me also worrying bout getting a job.

  Graduated way back in '96. All the best in your final year and good luck for ya exibition.
  
  Definitely contacts are important but have to get more too cos it's not right for me to use back the clients I work wif while working for my last company ya know.
  
  Thanks for the comments. So, u finished serving your NS already huh? Good for ya.
• BÃ¥seline

  4 May 03, 03:21

  Originally posted by thinker:

  Hi BaseLine,
  
  if u are really interested, I have an office space which can be rented out at 500 bucks per month for you to startup.

  Thanks. I have PM you. Check your mailbox in this forum.
• thinker

  4 May 03, 03:35

  Originally posted by BÃ¥seline:

  Thanks. I have PM you. Check your mailbox in this forum.

  Thanks. Have sent you a reply back... Pls confirm whether you received it.
• nismoS132

  4 May 03, 04:22

  Originally posted by BÃ¥seline:

  Definitely contacts are important but have to get more too cos it's not right for me to use back the clients I work wif while working for my last company ya know.

  i disagree with this.
  
  i think it is a good idea, that when you set out to make a mark for yourself, to you let your previous clients know, they might choose to work with you again simply because they like your style of work, or just maybe that you're offering a more competitive price. everyone's fighting for the same piece of the pie.
  
  are you simply going to reject business just because you're afraid of some gossip from previous employers?
  
  if you wanna set up a studio, i am interested, but i'd rather work from home instead, cut un-necessary costs. having an office = rent, utility bills, furniture, computers, softwares and who knows what else?
  
  which particular line of design are you in, or wanna get into?
  i can do anything, web, cds, print, my favourite is still animations though.
  
  my friends wanna get into the t-shirt business, as lame as it is, at least it's an experience. we've got our suppliers and printers, now we just need to find vendors.
• BÃ¥seline

  4 May 03, 05:58

  PM you nismoS132. Check your Mailbox. Thanks for the feedback.
• GIJOE

  7 May 03, 18:38

  yah nismo is right... who knows the client is satisfied with your work thats why they keep coming back to your company.. if you have set up your company, who knows they might let u handle it. U will have a lot of considerations that restrict u.. but once u step out and start planning it.. u will do it somehow..anyway its not a really high capital kinda thing u starting with so no harm trying.