A free assistant with my entire book's knowledge
Alright, so this is pretty cool.
I uploaded my book, the full PDF, to ChatGPT and instructed it to build an assistant based on the book’s content. It works surprisingly well, tying in pretty much every concept I talk about in the book. It’s like talking to me (albeit in a bit more robotic way).
You’ll find the link at the bottom of this message so you can try it for yourself, but before you do, here’s a quick screen cap and some answers it gave:
“If I could only ask a new client three questions, what would they be (and why)?”
If you could only ask a new client three questions, they should be:
1. “What problem(s) are we trying to solve?” — This ensures you diagnose the root issue rather than just executing a client’s assumed solution .
2. “What is the goal of this project?” — Understanding the desired outcome clarifies success metrics and guides your creative decisions .
3. “When is it considered a success?” — This prevents misalignment and helps both you and the client stay focused on measurable impact .
These questions shift the conversation from subjective opinions to clear objectives, reducing unnecessary revisions and ensuring the work serves a real purpose.
“I feel burnt out as a graphic designer. Any tips?”
Burnout is common in creative fields, but it can be managed. Here are some concise, actionable tips based on insights from Being Creative is the Easy Part:
1. Set Clear Boundaries – Avoid working with toxic clients or environments. As Erik Spiekermann puts it: “Don’t work with assholes. Don’t work for assholes” .
2. Prioritize Efficiency – Optimize processes to minimize wasted effort. The goal is to create great work without stretching yourself thin .
3. Manage Expectations – Many creative professionals burn out not from the work itself, but from poor client management. Keep client expectations in check and avoid endless revisions .
4. Avoid Overworking – Your best work doesn’t come from exhaustion. Free time isn’t wasted time—it boosts creativity .
5. Stay Financially Smart – If you’re undercharging, you’re likely overworking. Reevaluate your pricing model to avoid undervaluing yourself .
6. Find Joy in Your Work – Success isn’t just about financial gain; fulfillment and energy matter too .
Would you like more detailed guidance on any of these areas?
“My client rejected the sketches for an illustration I’m working on. But the sketches don’t reflect quality I’m going for. What could I have done differently?”
Here’s what you could have done differently to prevent your client from rejecting your sketches:
1. Clarify Values and Goals Early – Ensure your sketches align with the client’s values, thematics, and aesthetics before presenting them.
2. Improve Presentation – How you present your sketches matters. Weak presentation can make good work look unconvincing.
3. Limit Options – If you provided too many sketches, it might have overwhelmed the client. Keep it to a maximum of three strong directions .
4. Guide the Client’s Thinking – Instead of letting them make emotional decisions, guide them toward rational conclusions that align with project goals.
5. Close “The Void” – If there was ambiguity in expectations, you might have left gaps for misinterpretation. Clear communication prevents this .
6. Control the Feedback Process – Clients often give feedback based on personal taste rather than project goals. Set clear criteria for evaluation .
7. Avoid Premature Opinions – If you asked for opinions too early, you might have created conflicting expectations. Instead, anchor their decision-making in logic .
Would you like help refining your approach for the next round of sketches?
Try it yourself
All you need is a (free) ChatGPT account: start chat.
Let me know what you think!