Design Is a Job
by Mike Monteiro · first published 2012
75% recommend25% neutral
Why HN recommends it
Practical, opinionated guide to freelancing and client work for designers, covering contracts, negotiation, pricing and handling difficult clients; useful for new freelancers and working designers alike.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
Co-founder of Mule Design and raconteur Mike Monteiro wants to help you do your job better. From contracts to selling design, from working with clients to working with each other, this brief book is packed with knowledge you can't afford not to know.
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I would rate 'The Simplicity' by John Maeda (though not essentially for web) followed by Mike Monteiro's 'Design is a Job' of those I've read. Would love to hear from the community on the best Web Product Design and UX books that emphasize on minimalism. Thanks.
on “Ask HN: What is the best book that you've ever read on Product Design and UX?” ↗“Design Is a Job” by Mike Monteiro. “Educated: A Memoir” by Tara Westover. The audiobook version of “The Martian” by Andy Weir is also great. I also listen to a number of audiobooks about self-compassion and positive…
on “Ask HN: Which audiobooks did/do you like?” ↗If you're freelancing, you need to read Design Is a Job by Mike Monteiro. It's an absolutely brilliant overview of the entire client/contractor relationship, and how to operate in a way that protects both you and your client from any potentially hairy situations.…
on “Everything I wish someone had told me (about freelancing)” ↗came here to post this. His (Mike Monteiro) book is also full of similar advice: http://www.abookapart.com/products/design-is-a-job
on “Client won’t pay, my final resort” ↗"Design Is a Job" by Mike Monteiro http://www.abookapart.com/products/design-is-a-job If you are new to freelancing (or not) in any fields, you'll find nuggets of wisdom in this one, great read.
on “Ask HN: Best books/tutorials you read in 2013?” ↗Oh, one smaller but useful book: Design is a job, by Mike Monteiro Even though it's targeted towards designers, it's actually about businesses that happen to be small design shops. The same principles apply: value your work, don't do work for free,…
on “Ask HN: What books helped you in your entrepreneurship journey?” ↗…Monteiro already did it better: http://vimeo.com/22053820 edit: He also covers a lot more ground in terms of negotiating, having a contract, etc. Well worth the 38:40 to watch. edit2: There's also a book - Design is a Job - which goes into even more detail. I have it, it's pretty good.
on “Just pay me.” ↗…consulting/freelancing + the one I’m currently reading. If you’re not a designer I’d just recommend reading the last three. - The Designer’s Guide to Freelancing (http://nathanpowell.me/guide-to-freelancing/) - Design Is a Job (http://www.abookapart.com/products/design-is-a-job) - Double Your Freelancing Rate (http://doubleyourfreelancing.com/) - Million Dollar Consulting (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002MPQ230/)
on “Ask HN: What helped you leave your day job and start on your own?” ↗The book "Design is a job" by Mike Montero provides precious advice, useful for designer and other members of a web agency
on “Ask HN: How to get clients for a new, small software agency?” ↗Great - I've sent the email, hope it helps. Will definitely be picking up this book. By the way, I've heard the book "Design is a Job" praised on HN as a freelance Designer's guide to freelancing. I'm currently reading it. It seems your book is very similar in its goals and content, only for programmers instead of designers. If I'm…
on “Career.fork() - How To Thrive As A Freelance Developer” ↗…this 5y ago). [1] http://directedworks.com [2] https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6401496... [3] https://muledesign.com/designbook/screener.html (from https://abookapart.com/products/design-is-a-job)
on “Ask HN: How to start working as a contractor?” ↗…I've tried not to make my pitch copy on the leanpub site too SEO-ey, but I certainly get the point about helping people understand what the book may be like compared to ones they know. I'll check out "Design is a Job" when I get a moment.
on “Career.fork() - How To Thrive As A Freelance Developer” ↗