Presentation on why designers should work at startups to get better control over their work.

1. How to be a graphic
designer without losing
your control.
Rik Lomas
Steer
@riklomas
www.steer.me

2. Hi, I’m Rik and
I run a startup
called Steer.
Rik Lomas
Steer
@riklomas
www.steer.me

3. Why you should +
maybe shouldn’t
join a startup?
Rik Lomas
Steer
@riklomas
www.steer.me

4. No client == more fun.
Rik Lomas
Steer
@riklomas
www.steer.me

5. Make big decisions,
quickly.
Rik Lomas
Steer
@riklomas
www.steer.me

6. Client has an idea.
You design it.
Client isn’t happy.
You redesign it.
Client signs off work.
You make it live.
Client has changes.
You change it.
Rik Lomas
Steer
@riklomas
www.steer.me

7. You have an idea.
You design it.
You make it live.
Boom.
Rik Lomas
Steer
@riklomas
www.steer.me

8. Just one step away
from a customer.
Rik Lomas
Steer
@riklomas
www.steer.me

9. Products, not service.
Rik Lomas
Steer
@riklomas
www.steer.me

10. Work directly with
developers.
Rik Lomas
Steer
@riklomas
www.steer.me

11. Developers at startups
care more about
design.
Rik Lomas
Steer
@riklomas
www.steer.me

12. Everyone gives
a shit.
Rik Lomas
Steer
@riklomas
www.steer.me

13. High risk.
Higher rewards.
Rik Lomas
Steer
@riklomas
www.steer.me

14. Learn to take on
other roles.
Rik Lomas
Steer
@riklomas
www.steer.me

15. A lot of London startups
need design help.
Also see www.builtinlondon.co
Rik Lomas
Steer
@riklomas
www.steer.me

16. There are downsides
though.
Rik Lomas
Steer
@riklomas
www.steer.me

17. Avoid the “no business
model” startup.
Rik Lomas
Steer
@riklomas
www.steer.me

18. Growing pains.
Rik Lomas
Steer
@riklomas
www.steer.me

19. Stress, anxiety and/or
depression.
Rik Lomas
Steer
@riklomas
www.steer.me

20. A life-changing
experience.
Rik Lomas
Steer
@riklomas
www.steer.me

21. Thanks!
@riklomas
@teamsteer
rik@steer.me
Rik Lomas
Steer
@riklomas
www.steer.me