In discussing the intersection of design and business, we need to clarify that there are two separate aspects to be considered. There are external, client-facing issues having to do with the creative challenges we take on and the solutions we deliver. There are also internal operational issues that have to do with the daily management of our own studios. Although there are areas of overlap, this external/internal distinction is a very useful one. In fact, it serves as the overall framework for this special issue of STEP. You’ll find great content in both of these areas.

Addressing external matters, here’s what our experts prepared:

• Larry Keeley describes the interesting research done by Doblin Inc. into the vital role that design plays in guiding effective innovation in the marketplace.

• Randall Stone shares a case study about a very successful designer/client collaboration: the brand identity work that Lippincott Mercer recently completed for Samsung. Insights gained from extensive research shaped the brand strategy, and a well-thought-out process guided implementation.

• Rob Wallace writes passionately about the need to quantify the impact of design, and he explains the methodology used by Wallace Church, a firm that specializes in the creation of brand identities and packaging.

• Robin Tooms from Savage Design in Houston is a designer and has an MBA. She writes about the importance of learning to think like clients in order to partner with them more effectively. She describes several ways for working designers to strengthen their strategic skills, and shares insights from alumni of the AIGA/Harvard Business School program for designers.

Turning now to internal matters:

• Terry Lee Stone analyzes the life cycle of a design firm, from initial launch right through to the eventual exit of the founder. Along the way, a series of management challenges are encountered, and she has gathered insights from many successful design firm owners.

• Linda Joy Kattwinkel is an intellectual property attorney who had an earlier career as a graphic designer. She has prepared a useful guide to the essentials of copyright law. This is an important issue for designers, but it’s not often addressed in degree programs. As working professionals, we need to be very well informed about copyright so we can protect our work and negotiate appropriate contract terms with clients.

• Lastly, I’ve compiled information about project management software and written a brief guide to help you choose the right package for your situation. It’s common for successful design firms to outgrow their project management systems. The process of selecting a new one can be quite confusing, so this guide will help you to cut through the clutter.

• One more note about internal matters: AIGA, the professional association for design, is in the process of developing resources to help designers with daily business issues. The initiative is called the Center for Practice Management. More news will be available in the months to come.

Our hope is that these articles will have lasting value to you as you move forward in your career. Keep this special issue of STEP on your bookshelf for future reference!

Shel Perkins, Guest Editor