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Free For All: The Best Things In Life

Features: Written by Pariah Burke on June 29, 2009

What do you feel like? Textures? Illustrator brushes? A Photoshop brush viewer? Free faxes? Or how about a utility that never forgets? Why not take 'em all -- they're free!

Free For All: Put Away Your Wallet

Features: Written by Pariah Burke on May 14, 2009

Convert files, change your wallpaper, get things done, restore missing Photoshop features, and try fonts. As always, they're all free.

Spec Work and Crowdsourcing: Gambles that Don't Pay Off

Features: Written by Pamela Pfiffner on April 27, 2009

The economy's in the toilet and you're hungry for jobs, so you're working on spec or posting designs to sites like CrowdSpring. It's understandable. The problem is, spec and crowdsourcing can lower your value and hourly rates so far that minimum wage looks like a fat paycheck. Here's what to do instead.

Free For All: This Stuff's Worth Paying For, But You Don't Have To!

Features: Written by Pariah Burke on April 13, 2009

There's something for everyone this month: designers of iPhone Web sites or iApps; type lovers; business owners; and people who just want to compress the heck out of online images.

It's Play Time!

Features: Written by Colleen Wainwright on April 2, 2009

While it's sometimes necessary to put your nose to the grindstone, the magic happens when you just let go. Here's how one workaholic does it.

10 Tax Deductions Freelancers Can Make

Features: Written by Thursday Bram on February 18, 2009

Despite paying estimated taxes, many freelancers still have to come up with money for April 15. Whittle down that amount with these deductions.

Free For All: And So It Begins

Features: Written by Pariah Burke on January 19, 2009

Take your pick of Photoshop brushes and fonts you'll love, t-shirt design templates, and a portable password manager. They're all free!

Ten (More!) Free Online Tools for Designers

Features: Written by Pariah Burke on December 17, 2008

Ten more free resources help you find and land clients; set your hourly rate; manage project proofing and signoff; find company logos; and more.

Your Ticket Out of the Recession

Features: Written by Sean Ashcroft on December 3, 2008

Small- to medium-sized businesses are a huge client pool you can't afford to ignore. Here's how to convince them to hire you, and then to deliver what they need.

Ten Free Online Tools Every Designer Should Know

Features: Written by Pariah Burke on November 10, 2008

These free resources help you manage your business, store files, find stock images that aren't copyrighted, explore color, and more.

How to Follow Up with Potential Clients

Features: Written by Ilise Benun on July 16, 2008

What your prospects say, what you hear, and what they mean are often three very different things. Here's how to know what's really going on and when to follow up to clinch the deal.

HerGeekness Says: Convert a File, Any File

Features: Written by Anne-Marie "HerGeekness" Concepcion on July 9, 2008

When clients hand you files so ancient or obscure that they're unreadable, don't despair. Part 1 of my file conversion survival kit will have you repurposing those files lickety split -- without asking the client to lift a finger, and without forcing you to buy every application under the sun just to open the occasional weirdo document.

Why You Need a Different Kind of Scanner

Features: Written by David Blatner on July 2, 2008

No, not another scanner for artwork. An automatic document feeder can clean up your life -- or at least your office.

Learn Wedding Photography from the Pros

Features: Written by Chad Neuman on June 25, 2008

What gear do you need? What settings are best? What shots are must-takes? And how do you protect your media and your business? Three professional wedding photographers spill their secrets.

Translate Your Print-Based Design Skills to the Web

Features: Written by Wesley Grubbs on June 11, 2008

When you move from static design to Web design, it's like tennis players trying racquetball. The problem isn’t that they don’t know how to handle the racquet; it’s that they don’t know all the rules and techniques. Read this article and you'll come out swinging.

Design Successful Logos

Features: Written by Chad Neuman on June 9, 2008

Three logo designers discuss what goes into designing a logo, including typeface choices, inspiration, and overall branding messages.

Thinking Outside the List

Features: Written by Matthew Flaming on May 2, 2008

Want to think and communicate more clearly in a wide range of situations? Try mind-mapping.

The Tricky Side of Photo Model Releases

Features: Written by Dan Heller on April 21, 2008

You may think that model releases aren't necessary for photos used in editorial contexts, but the truth is actually much more complex. Read this in-depth exploration and you'll know exactly what to do to sell your shots without worries.

HerGeekness Says: Screen-Share with Your Clients

Features: Written by Anne-Marie "HerGeekness" Concepcion on March 2, 2008

Letting far-flung clients see your screen makes online proofing as good as in-person proofs and online collaboration a cinch. Recent technology improvements free you from worrying about routers, firewalls, computer platforms, or browser compatibility.

Scanning Around With Gene: Pay Up, or Else!

Features: Written by Gene Gable on February 20, 2008

The current economic slowdown has resulted in many people having to stall on paying some bills. Gene Gable takes a look at collection stickers from days gone by and wonders just what motivates someone to break down and actually mail that check.