The Business of Design: Balancing Creativity and Profitability (business and career guide to creating a successful design firm)

**You can now preorder your copy of Keith Granet's latest book, The Business of Creativity, coming December 2016**For thirty years, consultant Keith Granet has enjoyed helping design professionals turn their passion into profit. In his new book, __The Business of Design: Balancing Creativity and Profitability__, Granet debunks the myth that business sense and creative talent are mutually exclusive. __The Business of Design: Balancing Creativity and Profitability__ provides all of the necessary tools to create and run a thriving design business - from billing and human resources to branding and project management to marketing and licensing- in one easy-to-use guide. Inspired by Granet's own course on running a successful design practice as well as his experience guiding over four hundred design firms, __The Business of Design__ is organized into six clear chapters interwoven with stories, the author's own experiences and life lessons. __The Business of Design__ guides the reader through the steps of creating a successful firm, from the initial foundation of a design practice, to financial management, marketing and public relations, human resources, and project management. The last chapter, on product development, explores the growing trend in the design profession to develop products and bring them to the marketplace, allowing designers to share their voice with a larger audience. __The Business of Design__ includes a foreword by M. Arthur Gensler and interviews with individual architects and designers who have made their mark on the profession, including Michael Graves, John Merrill, A. Eugene Kohn, Victoria Hagan, and Richard Meier. These esteemed architects and designers share the benefits of their experience as well as their own take on the business of design. A vibrant and enticing look at the business side of design practice, this graphically beautiful book is neither dry nor intimidating. "Think it's impossible to make a business using your creativity? Think again! Keith Granet shows you how to make your design business a success. This book is a must-read for every designer."-Jonathan Adler "__The Business of Design__ is the essential guide about the design business. It's filled with invaluable information that covers all aspects of this often complicated and challenging business. Keith's straightforward, no-nonsense approach to finding success makes this a must-read for established designers or anyone just starting out. I've made this mandatory reading for everyone at Thom Filicia Incorporated!" - Thom Filicia "Down to earth , common sense advice drawn from good old fashioned experience, Keith Granet gives the industry what it has been waiting for, THE book on just that. Concise, clearly written, this is NO textbook boilerplate. Trust me, you will underline. . . and feel good about what you do know and aspire to all the rest. READ ON. You will be referring to it often." - Charlotte Moss "Architecture may be an art, but it's also a service profession. To become a good architect requires a passionate dedication to the creative design process. To become a successful one means also understanding that it's a business, a unique one perhaps, but still a business. Keith Granet's __The Business of Design__ will help get you there faster, creative talent intact." - Marc Appleton For Thirty Years, Consultant Keith Granet Has Enjoyed Helping Design Professionals Turn Their Passion Into Profit. In His New Book, The Business Of Design: Balancing Creativity And Profitability, Granet Debunks The Myth That Business Sense And Creative Talent Are Mutually Exclusive. The Business Of Design: Balancing Creativity And Profitability Provides All Of The Necessary Tools To Create And Run A Thriving Design Business - From Billing And Human Resources To Branding And Project Management To Marketing And Licensing- In One Easy-to-use Guide. Inspired By Granet's Own Course On Running A Successful Design Practice As Well As His Experience Guiding Over Four Hundred Design Firms, The Business Of Design Is Organized Into Six Clear Chapters Interwoven With Stories, The Author's Own Experiences And Life Lessons. The Foundation Of A Design Business : Design Education ; Writing A Business Plan ; Starting Your Own Firm ; Strategic Plan ; Top Ten Business Practices ; Interview With Michael Graves -- Business And Financial Management : Financial Tools ; Budgeting ; Contracts ; Managing Profitability ; Interview With John Merrill -- Marketing And Public Relations : Marketing ; Building A Marketing Plan ; Public Outreach ; Finding A Niche ; Learning How To Say No ; Public Relations ; Interview With A. Eugene Kohn -- Human Resources : Finding The Right Fit ; Reviewing Your Staff ; Mentoring Your Staff ; Employee Benefits ; Hiring Practices ; Firm Structure ; Ownership Transition ; Building A Legacy Firm ; Corporate Retreats ; Interview With Victoria Hagan -- Project Management ; Project Kickoff ; Team Structure And Roles ; Scheduling ; Budgeting ; Contract Management ; Technology And Project Management ; Power Of Communication ; Interview With Richard Meier -- Product Development : Hiring A Licensing Agent ; Project-development Process ; Negotiating The Deal ; Managing The Deal ; Licensing Versus Self-production ; Building Your Own Brand -- Conclusion. Keith Granet ; Foreword By Art Gensler. Includes Index. "Granet's book offers the first steps for designers and architects to start, as the title suggests, balancing creativity and profitability... The business advice he imparts could be applicable to any small-business owner." USA Today The Business of Design debunks the myth that business sense and creative talent are mutually exclusive, providing the necessary tools to create and run a thriving business. Keith Granet provides a comprehensive guide to running a design business, drawing on over thirty years of experience helping design professionals turn their passion into profit. Marketing and public relations Business and financial management Human resources Project Management Product Development Granet explains in detail all aspects of business design, tailored to creative industries, from forming a business plan, to billing, to website design, to learning how to say no to projects. Charts and graphics illuminate each process for a visual audience. Includes case studies and interviews with successful design practices. Each chapter is interwoven with stories and life lessons from Granet's work with over 400 design firms. Individual architects and designers who have made their mark share their experience in interviews, including John Merrill, A. Eugene Kohn, Victoria Hagan, and Richard Meier. A vibrant and enticing look at the business side of design practice, this graphically beautiful book is a comprehensive and accessible guide to creating a successful design business. The Business of Design debunks the myth that business sense and creative talent are mutually exclusive and, unlike other lackluster business books, is written and illustrated to captivate a visually thinking audience. For nearly thirty years, consultant Keith Granet has helped design professionals pursue their passion and turn a profit. From billing to branding, client management to marketing and licensing, The Business of Design reveals the tools necessary to create and run a thriving design business in today's ultra-competitive marketplace.