Run a thriving design studio with the new Computer Arts

As any design company founder will tell you, running a successful studio takes a lot more than design prowess. You need plenty of guts, determination, and the kind of business savvy that may not always come naturally to creative people.

Buy Computer Arts issue 270 now!

With all of this in mind, the cover story in Computer Arts issue 270 sets out six of the biggest hurdles that are likely to stand in the way of your creative business’ growth, and gives you 36 gems of essential advice to help you leave them in your wake – so you don’t just survive, but thrive.

CA 270's cover story reveals how to build a thriving studio, and features 36 pro tips

CA 270's cover story reveals how to build a thriving studio, and features 36 pro tips

For a hit of design inspiration, regular CA contributor Adrian Shaughnessy explores the eclectic world of book cover design, a field in which even the most iconic works of fiction regularly get a creative facelift – an interesting contrast, he points out, with correspondingly seminal works in music or even household-name FMCG brands.

Adrian Shaughnessy discusses the art and craft of book cover design

Adrian Shaughnessy discusses the art and craft of book cover design

Many such brands feature in the shortlist for CA's fourth-annual Brand Impact Awards, and the hotly-anticipated winners will be announced next issue. 

To whet your appetite, the team took six of the stellar BIA judging panel aside during their deliberations to discuss three hot topics in branding: the need for brands to demonstrate wit and empathy, the importance of taking creative risks, and the most exciting aesthetic and technological trends on the horizon, and how to get the most from them.

Six Brand Impact Awards judges share their branding insights in an exclusive video interview

Six Brand Impact Awards judges share their branding insights in an exclusive video interview

Issue 270 of Computer Arts also kicks off a brand-new series dedicated to the practical skills that junior designers need on a daily basis. First up is colour correction, with the dark art of image manipulation coming in part two.

Part one of CA's new junior designer manual series covers colour correction

Part one of CA's new junior designer manual series covers colour correction

Also in Computer Arts issue 270

Inspiring work from around the world in Showcase, including DixonBaxi's rebrand of Storey

Inspiring work from around the world in Showcase, including DixonBaxi's rebrand of Storey

World Illustration Award winner Aart-Jan Venema shares his tips for illustrating for an event

World Illustration Award winner Aart-Jan Venema shares his tips for illustrating for an event

Hansje van Halem discusses her knack for blending type with abstract patterns

Hansje van Halem discusses her knack for blending type with abstract patterns

Buy Issue 270 of Computer Arts today, or subscribe to Computer Arts to save up to 47%.

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Nick Carson

Nick is a content strategist and copywriter. He has worked with world-class agencies including Superunion, Wolff Olins and Vault49 on brand storytelling, tone of voice and verbal strategy for global brands such as Virgin, Pepsi and TikTok. Nick launched the Brand Impact Awards in 2013 while editor of Computer Arts, and remains chair of judges. He's written for Creative Bloq on design and branding matters since the site's launch.