Designerly

Strong design skills give you the foundation for a creative career, but your technical abilities are only one part of what makes you marketable. The way you communicate ideas, work with others and manage your workload also affects how you perform in professional settings. Developing these soft skills can help you work more effectively with clients and colleagues while making it easier to demonstrate what you bring to a project.

In This Article Small and midsize businesses already have a brand perception forming in customers’ minds, whether they’re measuring it or not. That perception shapes how people choose between competitors, what they’re willing to pay, and whether they recommend your business to others. Tracking gives you visibility into those dynamics so you can make smarter decisions about positioning, campaigns, and budget allocation.

In This Article Every business needs a brand identity, no matter its size. If you don’t know where to start, look at iconic brands for inspiration. From Apple’s ecosystem to Barbie’s hot-pink empire, these companies have made strategic branding decisions that transformed their logos into cultural symbols. You can draw valuable lessons from their branding decisions. Take a look at the strategic branding decisions behind these seven iconic, well-known brands.

A promotional giveaway can be an excellent way to get people talking about a small business. However, a sweepstakes promotion becomes legally problematic when its structure crosses the line into an illegal lottery. Entry methods and prize disclosures can also vary by state, exposing businesses to legal trouble if they get the rules wrong. Understanding these requirements before launch can help businesses run a fair promotion and avoid preventable problems.

In This Article Landing a first design internship can feel exciting and nerve-racking. A strong portfolio, interview preparation, and a willingness to learn can help an aspiring designer start with confidence and make the most of the opportunity. Internships have become a common part of the college-to-career path. More than two-thirds of 2024 graduating seniors reported completing an internship during college, which was the highest figure recorded in six years.

Small businesses may have less room than large companies to compete on salary and benefits. However, they can still compete. Strong employee retention can come from creating a workplace where people have clear expectations, opportunities to grow, flexibility, and meaningful recognition. Each employee departure lands harder on a small business than on a bigger company.

Inbox competition makes it harder for small businesses to stand out, but email remains one of the few channels where audiences have actively chosen to listen. That permission creates an opportunity that most other marketing can’t match. Making the most of it means understanding what drives engagement and choosing a platform that offers real value, stays easy to use, and provides free trials so businesses can test before committing. Here are 10 email marketing tips.

In This Article AI image upscalers have become a common tool for marketing teams and small businesses looking to improve existing images. They can enlarge graphics and restore older files without starting from scratch. While the results are often impressive, they sometimes come with trade-offs. Understanding what these tools actually do and where they fall short helps businesses decide when AI improves an image and when a better source file is the smarter choice.

You can feel imposter syndrome whether you’re a new graduate, a junior designer, or a seasoned professional. The good news is that it’s easy to treat, as long as you know the right tips and techniques. Imposter syndrome is a feeling or mindset characterized by self-doubt and a sense of inadequacy, especially in a professional capacity. Basically, you feel like a fraud at work. You feel anxiety, guilt, and shame because you feel like your achievements are undeserved.

In This Article Women entrepreneurs face a significant scaling challenge at some point in their business. Sometimes, the very hustle that built the company becomes the thing holding it back. More than finding new customers, owners need systems and a team structure that can handle more work and free up their time. For women-owned businesses planning for 2027, a few strategies can create room for sustainable growth. As businesses grow, they may hit a growth wall at some point.