launches

If there's one thing most designers of all types have in common, it's that we tend to possess built-in senses of personal independence.  I believe that's why most of us, at some point or other in our careers, consider taking the big step of going out and starting our own practices. I haven't done that as yet, and a big part of the "why" has to do with knowing that a great many of those who do hang their own shingles wind up failing - often sooner rather than later.  Yet even though I enjoy the security of working for a company rather than running one myself, I must confess that, for a long time now, the idea has intrigued me - if for no other reason than I want to know what it takes to make a go of it. That's how I came to pick up a copy of How to Start and Operate Your Own Design Firm by Albert W. Rubeling, Jr. (2nd edition, Allworth Press, 2007).  This 240-page text offers a wonderfully thorough discussion of the challenges I'd always imagined, and I think it would be of use even to those who are already up and running in addition to those who are only contemplating or curious about taking the plunge.   The author obviously has a

If there's one thing most designers of all types have in common, it's that we tend to possess built-in senses of personal independence.  I believe that's why most of us, at some point or other in our careers, consider taking the big step of going out and starting our own practices. I haven't done that as yet, and a big part of the "why" has to do with knowing that a great many of those who do hang their own shingles wind up failing - often sooner rather than later.  Yet even though I enjoy the security of working for a company rather than running one myself, I must confess that, for a long time now, the idea has intrigued me - if for no other reason than I want to know what it takes to make a go of it. That's how I came to pick up a copy of How to Start and Operate Your Own Design Firm by Albert W. Rubeling, Jr. (2nd edition, Allworth Press, 2007).  This 240-page text offers a wonderfully thorough discussion of the challenges I'd always imagined, and I think it would be of use even to those who are already up and running in addition to those who are only contemplating or curious about taking the plunge.   The author obviously has a