Rating: 
Summary: I WISH I could quote the prices suggested by this book...
Review: ...I would be making a better living. There are some good ideas about negotiating contracts, about rights that artists have, and legal mumbo jumbo you can throw at people. In the real world, though, I've found that it is near impossible to retain these rights when signing standard pre-fab contracts with clients. The pricing guidelines seem high compared to what I'm seeing currently. This book is ok as a rough guide.
Rating: 
Summary: The ultimate business resource for artists and designers
Review: Although there are thousands of books of business advice available for sale, very few address the issues of unique importance to creatives. There are thousands of how-to books on creating visual images, technique and design that ignore the non-glamourous aspects of art. This precisely focused handbook of solutions is a testimonial to the dedication of the Graphic Artists' Guild to its mission "to promote and protect the economic interests of artists." Anyone with an interest in earning money through graphic design, interactive media, illustration, multimedia, broadcast design, or photography needs this invaluable resource. Every aspect of project planning, proposal development, pricing trends, budgeting, legal, intellectual property and contractual issues, working with artists' representatives, billing procedures, credit, and collections is covered in depth and organized in a clear and concise format, with step-by-step information and resources. Truly the most current and thoroughly researched book in its genre; it's the essential, real world guide to doing business and for every creative, from the aspiring student to the most seasoned pro. If you are interested in creating art for profit, you will benefit from an investment in this book.
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Summary: Judge this book by it's cover!
Review: Brilliant cover illustration and indispensable content. Thanks Graphic Artists Guild for supporting and defending the visual arts profession. Couldn't do it without you and this "bible".
Rating:
Summary: Essential
Review: Contains everything you need to know about arts business. Essential for graphic designers and illustrators. If you are considering freelancing or starting your own firm or studio, you must get this book! For years to come this will be your ethics reference. Excellent resource.
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Summary: Essential to your business!!!
Review: Don't even think twice. Buy this book. It is essential to anyone involved in the graphic design business. You need these four items to start your business: 1) talent
2) computer
3) software
4) GAG Handbook
Rating: 
Summary: Amateuristic layout designed by wanna be artists.
Review: Gosh.....(because I would otherwise be censored!) What a waste of a 1 year wait, and $32.00. They kept delaying the release of this book for unknown reasons. I assumed the delay was because they were updating and adding more content. It doesn't appear to be the case. This is a B/W 7x12 (dimensions were made to eliminate photo copies) paperpack. Dimensions are horrid and cramp the layout inside. Reading it is a nightmare. Margins cause left and right pages to merge. I agree, Paste a Dominos pizza menu on the front and rear covers. If this is the best of GAG, then I would recommend that you don't join the GAG, or quit the GAG. What an embarassment.
Rating:
Summary: Essential
Review: I am shocked that this book has gotten some negative reviews. I keep this book on my desktop and refer to it everytime I customize a project contract. I recommend that all of my clients buy this book so they understand design pricing and contract terms. It is the best book on the subject I have come accross. While some people have stated that the rates in this book are off, I have to wonder if perhpas their skills don't quite measure up. Your experience, your skills and your portfolio determine what you can realistically charge a client.... if you can't get a job charging the rates in this book, it's not the book's fault. Go back to school, build your portfolio, get more experience. For a true professional designer, this book is a must have referrence guide.
Rating:
Summary: Must Have Book for Professional Designer and Buyers
Review: I am shocked that this book has gotten some negative reviews. I keep this book on my desktop and refer to it everytime I customize a project contract. I recommend that all of my clients buy this book so they understand design pricing and contract terms. It is the best book on the subject I have come accross. While some people have stated that the rates in this book are off, I have to wonder if perhpas their skills don't quite measure up. Your experience, your skills and your portfolio determine what you can realistically charge a client.... if you can't get a job charging the rates in this book, it's not the book's fault. Go back to school, build your portfolio, get more experience. For a true professional designer, this book is a must have referrence guide.
Rating: 
Summary: Useful, but time for a new edition
Review: I find the book very useful for many purposes, and it was right on the mark when it came out four years ago. However, considering how quickly technology and the internet change, I think it's time for a new edition; a lot of the "digital design" information is woefully out of date. For instance, under "Questions to ask when designing a web site," the book asks, "Does the client understand the difference between the Web and an online e-mail service such as American (cq) Online?" In addition, pricing is based on "screens" or "pages" for web sites. The overall rates in the book seem to be realistic, but it would be helpful to know exactly how projects are priced. In the rapidly evolving world of database-driven and fully animated sites, "pages" don't mean much anymore. This is a fine reference, but don't expect it to keep you on the cutting-edge of technology. Go into a client's office and talk about "American Online" and I can almost guarantee you won't get the job!
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Summary: The Unreal Pricing Guidlines
Review: I found that the prices given in this book were way off for my demographic and line of work. With the knowledge of bidding my own freelance jobs and hiring designers for the firm that I work for that the pay scales in this book are way out of wack. I'm not saying that they are all over priced like other readers might assume. I found that many estimates to be quite low. You run the risk of losing a job because your bidding estimate is to high in some instances and in other given estimates you are going to lose a lot of money. The given freelance hourly rate for an Art Director is $55.00. That is way under what the market pays in the area and industry that I work in. You will also find pricing like this: National advertising campaign (Print Media) between $11,000-$25,000. There are no specific variables given to this enormous disparity in pricing. There is a heap of useful information in this book, but pricing isn't one of them. In fact it's bloody useless.
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