Stop struggling with the business of design
Are you a designer who's great at solving client problems but struggling with the challenge of running a business?
This is the book for you. One comprehensive resource, written for Australian designers by design practitioners.
The business education you never got at design school
Most design courses teach you to be a great designer. None teach you to run a design business. That’s the gap this book fills.
This isn’t another generic business book adapted for creatives. It’s 192 pages of Australian design industry insights, proven strategies, and practical tools developed specifically for our market, our clients, and our challenges.
Written by designers who built and ran a successful studio for 30+ years, then spent the last decade helping other design leaders do the same.
This book has been selling consistently since 2013 because it works
What's inside the 192 pages?
The Business of Design is the complete guide to building a profitable, sustainable design studio. Everything you need in one comprehensive resource, written for Australian designers by design practitioners.
Industry intelligence
✅ current Australian design industry stats and benchmarks
✅ where you fit in the competitive landscape
✅ forces driving change and how to stay ahead
Business foundations
✅ how to choose the right business structure
✅ starting systems and processes that scale with growth
✅ understanding your real costs and pricing accordingly
Strategic planning
✅ moving from doing ‘jobs’ to strategic positioning
✅ identifying your competitive advantage
✅ building a business model that works for your market
Financial management
✅ real cost structures and revenue streams
✅ cash flow forecasting and debtor management
✅ understanding profitability beyond just making money
Growth strategy
✅ client segmentation and targeting the right opportunities
✅ value propositions for differentiation
✅ the business model canvas adapted for creative businesses
This isn't theory, it's proven practice
Every strategy in this book has been tested in real design studios. The case studies are real, the financial examples are from actual businesses, and the advice comes from designers who’ve navigated every challenge you’re facing.
You’ll see detailed examples from E•co design, a fictional but realistic studio that demonstrates how these principles work in practice. From pricing strategies to client relationships to business model development … it’s all here.
This ebook is current, it's practical and it's relevant
An ebook written by designers for designers to help them build confidence and knowledge.
Current
We quote current statistics on studio sizes, revenue, profitability, and growth patterns specific to the Australian design industry.
Practical
The Business of Design is written by Australian design practitioners for Australian designers wanting to run a creative businesses.
Relevant
This is a practical book about managing a creative business in the Australian creative sector, not generic international advice.
Who is this ebook for?
The Business of Design is essential reading for:
✅ graduates ready to start their own studio
✅ solo designers wanting to grow beyond freelancing
✅ small studio owners struggling with the business side
✅ growing studios hitting operational challenges
✅ mature design businesses wanting to audit and future-proof operations
✅ creative directors balancing creativity with commercial reality
✅ design educators teaching business skills to creatives
✅ anyone who wants to understand how successful design businesses actually work.