Job No:01077 Title:The fundamentals og Graphic Design
2ND
Proof Page:21
Michael Kidner
This book was created by
father and son partnership,
Webb & Webb. The small
structure of the design studio
allows the partners to have
direct client access and total
control over the creative and
project management
proce ss es. Thi s r educe s
the possibility for
miscommunication and
allows the team to
find optimum solutions to
client briefs.
What is a graphic designer? < Group structures and working methods > Graphic design today 21
Sole trader
Sole traders generate their own work rather than
performing work on an ad hoc or informal basis for
another design agency. Some designers follow this
route and rent desk space in a shared studio with
other designers or creatives to benefit from a sense
of camaraderie. Freelance life can be a lonely
experience due to solitary working conditions or
spending short periods of time in a company where
one is a stranger. Often, sole traders will commission
freelancers as their workload increases; they register
as a limited company to obtain additional benefits
as their business expands.
A limited company is a separate legal entity
from the people who own it and has the advantage
that its debts are separated from its owners.
However, official accountancy procedures that are
legally binding must be adhered to and the directors
of the company have legal duties to comply with.
Companies pay corporation tax rather than income
tax, and this can be an efficient way for a designer to
handle tax issues. This will depend on the size and
scope of the business.
Partnerships and collectives
A sole trader may later enter into a partnership or
collective with like-minded individuals or those who
can bring a different skill set to the team. This is
typical of a collective that forms to benefit from a
cross-fertilisation of ideas and talents. This
embraces the 1960s idea of the commune where
people come together for a specific project and then
separate. This is a fluid working structure, but it is
difficult to keep together due to its informality.
Working with other people requires a high level
of trust and understanding between group members
for personal, financial and legal reasons. For clarity
and the protection of all parties, the entity should be
established on a legal basis to clearly indicate who
has responsibility for what and how finances, debts,
profits and ownership are decided. Another option
is to go for a limited liability partnership. This has
the benefit of limited liability whilst maintaining a
traditional partnership.
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