10201169Business of Graphic Design and Illustration
Course Information
Description
This course introduces students to the business aspects of entrepreneurial design and illustration, including setting up a business, writing a business plan, tax and financial responsibilities, quotations and invoices, ethical and legal issues, and marketing ad promotion.
Total Credits
2
Course Competencies
  1. Evaluate your skill set and how it fits the graphic design and illustration business
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Product, Self-Assessment
    Criteria
    Assessment describes your educational background
    Assessment lists your specific qualifications such as courses, tutorials, seminars, conferences, workshops, internships and jobs
    Assessment includes your art, communication and business skills and personality traits that would positively and negatively impact your business performance
    Assessment defines your artistic strengths
    Your paper meets formatting expectations as identified by instructor

  2. Write a business plan
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Product
    Criteria
    Plan is built from information found in your self-assessment
    Plan defines the business and its structure
    Plan includes a personal mission statement
    Plan identifies short-term and long-term business and financial goals
    Plan identifies strategies to achieve the goals
    Plan shows consideration of the marketplace and competition
    Plan includes a budget with description of the costs of operation
    Plan includes present and future earning potential
    Your plan meets formatting expectations as identified by instructor

  3. Write a marketing plan
    Assessment Strategies
    Role Play, Written Product
    Criteria
    Plan is built from information found in your self-assessment
    Plan identifies your business location
    Plan describes how your skill set aligns to a need in the marketplace
    Plan describes tactics and media you will use to reach potential clients
    Plan anticipates threats and competition for your business
    Plan establishes measurable goals
    Plan includes a marketing budget
    Your plan meets formatting expectations as identified by instructor

  4. Create a business identity and brand
    Assessment Strategies
    Graphic Illustration/Drawing (logo), Written Product, Presentation
    Criteria
    Identity is built from information found in your self-assessment
    You follow a design process
    You create a wide variety of logos at a loosely sketched level of finish
    You create two logos at medium-to-tight level of finish
    You present your logo(s)
    Logo combines words and a symbol that represents your unique skill set
    Logo visually states what you do
    Logo is finished art for a personal business
    Logo is applied to a stationary system and to an invoice

  5. Conduct market research for a freelance business
    Assessment Strategies
    Role-play working as a freelance graphic designer or illustrator, Paper
    Criteria
    You use online research and investigation tools
    Paper details three different realistic potential clients for your business within a 50-mile radius
    Paper identifies an effective location for your freelance business
    Paper includes current, diverse information about the three potential businesses, including philosophy, longevity, performance, billings, clients, working environment, and staff
    Paper aligns your skills with the needs of potential clients
    Paper is 3-5 pages
    Paper meets formatting expectations as identified by your instructor

  6. Implement business management practices within the graphic design and illustration market
    Assessment Strategies
    Exam, Portfolio, Presentation
    Criteria
    Portfolio includes a variety of options and locations for office space
    Portfolio includes a business structure
    Portfolio is professionally designed and organized
    Portfolio format meets minimum expectations as identified by your instructor
    Describe necessary licenses and fees and insurance needs for the graphic design and illustration market
    Explain the role of lawyers and accountants in the graphic design and illustration market
    Explain the differences between a proposal and a contract
    Identify strategies for getting referral and repeat work
    Identify strategies for dealing with client problems
    Build a pricing structure for your work
    Create a process for billing your services
    Present a client proposal
    Complete a final exam on marketing and promotion with at least 76% accuracy