My reasons for becoming a graphic designer are probably similar to yours: I wanted to indulge my love of graphic design, but not at the expense of my financial security or health.

In the past, when things slowed down, I tended to push myself harder — a short term approach that only made things worse.

There had to be a better way, and, over the years, I discovered a formula that permitted me to spend my time serving the clients I wanted to work with, without working the long hours I was accustomed to.

The “silver bullet” of success

I'd like to tell you that my transformation from a struggling production designer to a respected and in-demand creative designer took place overnight, and only required the “perfect” solution.

But, I can't!

There is no “silver bullet,” and those that tell you there is probably have something up their sleeve. But, I do have a bridge in Brooklyn I'd love to sell you ;-)

There is a formula, and it involves 7 deceptively simple letters. The word is: B-A-L-A-N-C-E.

Do you want a business or a job?

What do thriving designers know that you don't?

Creating a highly successful graphic design business doesn't mean that you can learn only one aspect of it. You need to know ALL the details!

Thriving designers know that success in graphic design is based on balancing 4 fundamental skills: promotion/marketing, design, production, and management. And, Design & Thrive is the only site where you can obtain the tools you need to need to succeed in each of these crucial areas.

Design & Thrive will help you build on your existing strengths in these four critical areas:

Promotion: Design without effective marketing and promotion is like singing in the shower: it might be fun, but it won't pay the bills! Members enjoy 24/7/365 access to resources like articles, audios, videos, and ready-to-complete marketing materials that you can use to build your awareness and pre-sell prospects on your competence.

Design: Software mastery is wasted without a solid foundation in the basics. You will find the inspiration you need to master the details that effective design is based on, while expanding your creativity to come up with new solutions to your clients' problems.

Production: Clients don't hire designers for their software mastery, but software mastery helps you work with increasing levels of efficiency and productivity. You'll learn how to translate your creativity into finished projects, completed on time and on budget.

Managing: Thriving design practices are characterized by an effective management of clients, time, space, and scarce resources. I'll share with you articles, worksheets, checklists, and forms to help you prepare the bids and proposals you need to sell your clients and keep them coming back for more.

The thing to remember is that it won't work if you are only good in a few of areas. You MUST be proficient in ALL these areas. If you know only one or two, you're like a table with 3 legs.

Don't be a three-legged table!

Are you tired of getting books or visiting websites on design that are simply a portfolio piece for the author? All glitz and no substance? Do you find books are all inspiration and no implementation?

I soon grew frustrated because all the resources I came across didn't deal with ALL these areas but one or two at a time! Here are a few resources that I went through:

I grew tired trying to find comprehensive information that included content on design principles and efficient production techniques (printing, pre-press, and bindery). I also wanted to learn about marketing techniques that can be used by designers and how to create your own successful freelance design business.

How much is your time worth?

Eventually, I found that I spent so much time searching for stuff that it seemed rather silly for me to do so.

I asked myself "How much is my time worth?" Wouldn't it be worth a measly $20 - $30 a month where I can get the latest info and resources that I'll be needing? Instead of wasting my own more valuable time — time I can spend designing and charging clients?

But, there's one fundamental problem: there are sites that deal with some of these topics. And in order to be a great graphic designer, you must be well-versed in ALL of these.

You've probably noticed that finding websites that deal with design software programs is far easier than finding a website that shows you the ins and outs of becoming a great graphic designer — and a profitable one at that! Also, what's available is like working your way through a maze — blindfolded.

This is how and why Design & Thrive came to fruition.

Introducing Design & Thrive: Necessity is the mother of invention

I set out to create a comprehensive resource of all the tools that I needed on a regular basis. It would contain all the information I need in ALL areas of my design life. A site with no fluff and no filler information. This is strictly a substance website from someone who's been there and done that. On this site, no starving artists are allowed!

Chances are you have been on sites that dealt more with software programs and how to use filters and effects, than they did about design basics and the business of design. This is only one very small component of design. We strive to be different.

I want to make this the ultimate "win-win" situation for everyone. For less than the price of a cup of coffee a day, or attending a one-day workshop in your area, you can have access to a year's worth of inspiration, information, and shared community. You'll immediately profit from our:

• Steps to success: All the articles, tools, and techniques in our four key areas of focus: promotion, design, production and management.
• Learning Center: Learn all the fundamentals of business, global design, universal design principles, print and web design, marketing, networking, production and software tutorials.
• Designer's Toolkit: Includes all the tools you need for creating professional documents — from start to finish. Find all the assessments, audios, checklists, forms, makeovers, reference materials, spec sheets, reports, swipe files, templates, videos and worksheets.
• Design Resources: Essential resources you'll refer to time and again. Articles, books, directories, download section, glossaries, history of design, newsletters (HTML and PDF), RSS headlines, and our tip of the week archives.

How being a D&T member pays

I guess this is usually the part of the letter where I tell you how we are the greatest website out there and why the of them rest suck. It's where I would compare myself to other resources and convince you that we're the greatest thing since sliced bread.

BUT I CAN'T!

You see, I haven't found another website (or resource) that deals with ALL the areas you need to become a "Thriving Designer"!

But I can tell you this: If you've ever experienced the stress of being overworked, long for the clients you wish you had, wasted time on the wrong clients, felt discouraged at not being appreciated, and wasted countless precious time trying to find the information you need, then look no further.

Design & Thrive is here to help. We'll show you proven marketing tricks and techniques you can use in your design and in your business. You'll learn how to be a great designer with proven, timeless design principles and become a proficient prepress technician. Lastly, we'll hone your business skills. This will make you an effective and well-rounded designer that not only makes money for your clients but makes money for themselves!

And all this information you can access anytime, from anywhere in the world. Design & Thrive is here for you 24 / 7 / 365, for as long as you are a member and have an internet connection.

You can learn what you want, when you want, and (perhaps most importantly) when you need it. And it's all done at your own pace, regardless of whether you are a beginner or an advanced designer.

Design & Thrive Membership Levels… A level for everyone

Whether you are new to graphic design or a seasoned professional, you need valuable, actionable, and powerful advice from trusted designers who share your concerns — and have overcome them.

Design & Thrive's growing arsenal of content and tools (a few include articles, assessments, audios, case studies, checklists, forms, reference charts, spec sheets, templates, and videos) put you in control of your design and your career.

But, I do want to make Design & Thrive accessible to the masses. So, I've devised a plan. I've made it so that everyone can profit from Design & Thrive. Check out the different membership levels we currently offer.

RESOURCE	BASIC Free Limited access	PREMIUM $19.95/month OR $47.85/3-months
What You Get Privy to the wealth of content on the site depends on which membership plan you opt for. You can choose how much (or how little) to access	Access to our blog, tip of the week, podcast, sample content and HTML newsletter.	Add an arsenal of content (written, multimedia, and downloadable files) — at your fingertips 24/7/365. Sans ads!
Daily Blog Every day we post in one of our 4 profit areas — www.thrivingdesigner.com
Tip of the Week Weekly e-mail tips in one of our 4 profit areas that can be immediately implemented
Weekly Podcast Audio version and expanded from our Tip of the week — www.designdigest.com
Sample Content We post free sample content on a monthly basis on www.designandthrive.com
HTML Monthly Newsletter Monthly newsletter on one of our 4 profit areas	(for 7 days only!)
PREMIUM CONTENT
Archives Archives of all our previous Tips of the Week and monthly newsletter (HTML & PDF)
Profit Center Articles, tools, and techniques in our four key areas of focus
Learning Center Learn here the fundamentals of business, global design, universal design principles, print and web design, marketing, networking, production and software tutorials
Designers Toolkit Find the assessments, audios, checklists, forms, makeover tips, mindmaps, reference materials and charts, spec sheets, special reports, swipe files, templates, tip sheets, videos and worksheets you need to succeed
Design Resources Essential resources you'll refer to time and again. Articles, books, directories, glossaries, history of design, our newsletters, RSS headlines, and tip of the week archives
Downloads Section Downloadable files to help you succeed: PDF version of our newsletter, audios & transcripts, checklists, documents, forms, special reports, and tip sheets
Discussion Forum Anytime access to our mastermind community. Your questions and comments will be addressed by our advisory board and other designers
Products Exclusive discounted rate on any Design & Thrive product (e-books, e-courses, reports, teleseminars, and more!)
	BASIC Free Limited access	PREMIUM $19.95/month OR $47.85/3-months

Put an end to isolation… Because you are not alone!

If you've ever felt all alone, or misunderstood by your non-designer friends and coworkers, you'll appreciate the ability to share ideas, opinions, and questions with fellow designers located around the world.

We are creating a mastermind community of like-minded designers. Once I started working on my own, I didn't have access to my co-designers to ask them questions. This is why I was determined to have a place on my website where designers can interact with other designers.

Your questions and comments will be addressed by our advisory board and other designers. You'll benefit from multiple perspectives and different approaches.

Take advantage of this limited time offer today

I set out to create a website that would be accessible to all serious designers. I wanted a site that would be ad-free and would get down to the nitty-gritty, and was continually updated with the latest up-to-the-minute information and techniques.

So, I've decided to launch an introductory special. It's going to run for a few weeks (not sure how long yet). Like I mentioned, it's a fairly new site and I want to build it up, so here is your chance to get in right from the very beginning. I'm posting content to it on almost a daily basis (new stuff — not rehashed stuff from around the web), and would like to grow it as THE place for serious, thriving graphic designers.

To this end, this site has a one-time sign-up fee of $49.95. Then you'll pay just $19.95 per month for as long as you remain a member. You are guaranteed to be locked into this special price, even when we raise our prices, as our special thank you for joining!

Let's put this into perspective: it's less than a cup of coffee a day (the cheap stuff, not Starbucks!) It's waaaaaay less than the cost of a conference! And it's less than the cost of getting a couple of books in each of these essential areas of design. And apart from all this information (which is constantly updated), you'll have access to other like-minded designers who've been there and done that too!

You are NOT bound to a long-term contract. You can cancel your membership anytime by simply dropping us an email. There's no penalty for cancelling.

BUT THERE'S MORE…

When you become a Design & Thrive associate, you'll gain immediate access to all our site's resources, plus a bonus thank you kit containing:

Branding Book: It started out as a small case study in creating the brand of Roger C. Parker, author of “Looking Good in Print” But, once I started writing I found I couldn't stop! It grew into a 24 page e-book. It includes my "10 Commandments of Creating a Brand" and "Deconstructing a Brand" It's worth the price of admission!

Design Digest Newsletters: You'll have access to the growing archives of our monthly Design Digest Newsletter. Only Design & Thrive members have access to the PDF version so that they can print it out and store it.

LIMITED TIME BONUS: During this introductory period, I've made a deal with Editorial Member Roger C. Parker to offer his excellent e-book, Web Content and Design for Designers. It's a $39.95 value and yours free simply by signing up today.

We're also different from other sites in that I don't want to offer you a kit worth a gazillion dollars for a whole bunch of crap you'll never use (not to be confused with the c.r.a.p. acronym in Robin Williams' Non-Designers Book). I want to provide you with only quality content and products.

I can't really give you a value for my bonus package because the price goes up every month, as I add more and more newsletters to my ever-growing archives. But, you will notice that the prices of these e-books alone are worth signing up. AND you can get them ALL for FREE when you sign up today (grab them while they last!)

So why wait?

Joining now will give you immediate access to all the resources in the member's only section so that you can be on your way. You'll also be guaranteed to get in at the lowest price this site will ever be offered at. Join now, use our Secure online order form

Subscription Expired? expired? Renew here.

QUESTIONS? Feel free to use our speedy contact form.