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TIPS & TECHNIQUES
www.images-magazine.comFEBRUARY 2017
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J
ust starting out in this crazy business? Good luck. It’s a
wild ride and constantly changing, and you’ll learn plenty
of lessons – and make plenty of mistakes – along the way.
Looking back there will be some things that you’ll wish
you’d known from the beginning. So to save you from having to
learn some of these lessons the hard way, the kind folks at Im-
ages recently asked me to list the top 20 things I wish I’d known
when I started out. Ready? Here we go! In no particular order or
preference:
1
Ask more questions
When I was younger I wanted to pretend I knew
everything, so I didn’t ask questions. It is the facade of
stupidity. Asking questions about things you don’t know can alle-
viate a lot of problems later on. “What does that mean?” or “When
is this due?” or “What don’t you want in the image?” or “Can you
please help me with this?” Be brave enough to ask more ques-
tions. It’s okay, they will appreciate you getting a clearer picture.
2
It is okay to say no
That’s right. I’m giving you permission right here to not
take that job that won’t make you any money, or force
you to work for that guy you hate, or do something unethical just
to make some fast cash. Looking back on some of the biggest
problems in my career, a good number have been with jobs that I
knew in my gut I should have just politely declined. The word ‘no’
is your friend. Use it.
3
Experiment
This is huge. Try stuff. Most of it won’t work, so give
20/20 HINDSIGHT
Marshall Atkinson shares the 20 things he wishes he’d known when he started out on his
career in garment decoration
yourself permission to fail. You will learn from those failures. Try
more stuff. Fail even more. Eventually it will work out and you’ll
be doing better work than the next guy. Experimenting is hard,
but working things out is the best way to separate yourself from
the competition. “It’s how we always do it” is concrete-addled
thinking.
4
Use a calendar
I’ll admit it, I still struggle with this. In fact, Images sent
me an email asking where was the copy for this arti-
cle? Being busy is great. Being busy and forgetting something
you agreed to deliver isn’t. In this business you have to hit your
deadlines. It’s much easier if you are planning your work towards
that goal. Want more customers? Get your work done on time or
early.
5
Find a mentor
Out there somewhere is a person who’s already travelled
the road you’ve just taken your first steps on. I’ll bet they
know where the traps, speedbumps and charlatans hide. Get
coaching early. This is how apprenticeships used to work.
6
Go and see
You can’t learn anything sitting in your chair chained
to your desk. Why isn’t that print right? How are they
mixing the ink? What type of squeegee are they using on that
halftone screen? Don’t let the problems go to you, get up and go
out and solve the challenge where it starts. That means snoop-
ing around, talking to people and suggesting things on the spot.
Think for yourself based on the input in front of you.
Being
busy is great.
Being busy
and forgetting
something you
agreed to isn’t