One of the best things about being a freelance graphic designer is the freedom to pick your clients—but it can also be one of the worst things. It means having to protect your own interests and knowing when to let a client go for the sake of your career, your finances, or your general sanity. "Firing" a client isn't always about getting away from a job you don't like or a person that stressed you out. Sometimes, you might find yourself in a position where you have to say goodbye to your … [Read more...]

If you ever want to get a bunch of graphic designers riled up, gather them together in a room and ask them this question: "Should graphic designers ever work for free?" It's been a hot-button issue in creative fields for as long as anybody can remember, and there's no definite answer that everybody can agree upon. Some graphic artists say it's okay to work for free every now and then to build up your portfolio and experience, while others say the very act of doing design work for free is … [Read more...]

Good design never goes out of style; it just becomes "vintage" over time. Nostalgia is a powerful tool for designers because it creates an instant emotional bond with the audience. The right design aesthetic can conjure up memories of our childhood and help us to connect with the generations that came before us. This extensive collection of free vintage Photoshop brushes is the perfect toolkit for creating print designs that stir up feelings of nostalgia in your audience. Vintage brushes are … [Read more...]

When it comes to creating resumes, graphic designers are lucky. Not many fields allow for potential employees to directly demonstrate their work-related skills with the resume itself. Pastry chefs don't get to bake their resumes into a cake, teachers can't assign their resumes as homework, and lawyers aren't given the chance to defend their resumes to a jury. But graphic designers can – and should – treat their resume as they would a sample in their portfolio. The design of your resume can help … [Read more...]

Every now and then, you just need a little extra something to make your project pop. Not necessarily a major design component—just an extra ornament to bring visual interest to your design. Abstract Photoshop brushes are the perfect tool for giving your artwork an added "oomph" without drawing attention away from the main subject. We've assembled 83 abstract brushes ranging from cosmic fractals to arcs of electric energy. Nearly all of these brushes are entirely free downloads, but a few in … [Read more...]

If you found a way to cut your design time in half, wouldn't you use it? Photoshop actions allow designers to save time and stay efficient by "recording" common tasks so that they can be automatically performed on different projects. But that's not the best feature of actions for Photoshop; they're also easy to share and download. This community aspect has turned Photoshop actions into the ultimate designer "cheat code." Downloading another designer's actions lets you quickly apply new effects … [Read more...]

We bet you five bucks that if you took a minute to look around your office or your home, you'd find a brochure of some type. Whether it's a memento from an event or trip or even just the recipe booklet that came with your new blender, brochure designs are hiding everywhere. There's a reason why the brochure continues to endure in the age of digital marketing--because of creative designers who push the limits with great ideas and imaginative designs that make a lasting impression. We've gathered … [Read more...]