Comments on: What kind of designer are you?

By: mara

mara — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 22:07:11 +0000

Also I forgot to mention im striving to be a 4. I like to be in control of operations and constantly need to know how things are going when a task is being worked on so I catch myself constantly checking in making sure things are running smoothly and if not I feel the need to know about it immediately because in my head their isnt a minute to loose to fix the problem…weird i know but im hoping it gives you insight as to which of YOUR categories I fit into. :D

By: mara

mara — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 21:57:37 +0000

Kathleen, I also love the list danielle wrote. I did notice that I did not fit into any of the categories you describe but I DID fit into the “personalities” and “artisans” categories. Could you possibly elaborate on what people who fit into those two categories need to learn/know/improve on to go out on their own please? I would really like your opinion on them.

By: laura mcgrew

laura mcgrew — Sun, 03 Mar 2013 13:36:58 +0000

Technician here! Although I have aquired the accountant, the artist is where I started, before I worked in the industry and got my “skills”. I am desparatly trying get the project manager bit. Suzanne hit it on the head- fear, specifically fear of the unknown, which ties back to Kathleens description as well.
I think it’s funny no one will admit to being a mogle. I don’t think any of us DE’s would survive if there wasn’t a little mogle inside going “OMG it’s going to be great!”

By: Betsy Cook

Betsy Cook — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 14:06:12 +0000

I love it. “Get over your fear and SHIP”. Can I get that stitched on a sampler? I’m about to ship out and all I can think of is the buyer will get it and find fault with it. I have to remember they ordered it because they liked it in the first place. I don’t call it perfectionism, but I do know I have a problem!

By: Suzanne

Suzanne — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 00:51:18 +0000

I’m the project manager who works every waking moment. I kind of rotate around all the hats I wear. I learned a long time ago to not let fear paralyze me (though people who are paralyzed by fear call themselves “perfectionists” because that feels better. You have to get over yourself and SHIP. I wish I worked a 4-day workweek! Maybe I work a four-day every 2 days!

By: Susan

Susan — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 13:09:00 +0000

Kathleen – your categories are very good, and FYI closely echo the types Michael Gerber writes about in “The E-Myth: why most small businesses fail and what to do about it”. http://www.amazon.com/Myth-Revisited-Small-Businesses-About/dp/0887307280

A category that is missing is entrepreneur, though. This is not mogul, nor is it any of the others. Rather the entrepreneur is the one who can craft strategy, has a vision, sees where to go. But as Gerber writes, a business can’t grow and thrive on entrepreneurialism alone. It needs the accountant. It needs the project manager. It needs the technician. Either a “lone” founder needs to learn to develop those other skills within themselves, or they need to find the people who have them and who are willing to be part of the roller coaster that is starting a business.

By: Where and how do you start a design business?

Where and how do you start a design business? — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 02:22:19 +0000

[...] « What kind of designer are you? [...]

By: Lin

Lin — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 07:02:14 +0000

I’m the aspiring Artisan, although I have better organizing skills. This article reminded me of what I need to work on. With my first child on the way, I know I can’t do it all. Thanks again!

By: Sarah Doggett

Sarah Doggett — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 00:14:17 +0000

This was great information! Dying for the next post to know where to go once you have identified your type!

By: Marcanne

Marcanne — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 20:47:31 +0000

I am a little of all except the “Mogul” and the “Artist”. If anyone will pay me for my creations, I am more than happy to sell them, which means I am a good accountant too. I am an Engineer so I can go a little overboard in the reading of books so I know it all but that stems from my desire to not go broke. Once again, the accountant in me. And I am a great Project Manager, as that was my title for years as an Engineer. But again, my projects and programs were based upon making or saving money and I managed the money (lots of it) so back to being the accountant. If I would not make money doing a line (as in profit), I would most likely not do it at all.