PGDA: Designer Survey

1. What qualifications do your clients look for when hiring a designer or design firm?

Very Important

Important

Somewhat Important

Not Important

Response Average

portfolio

51% (80)

32% (50)

16% (26)

1% (2)

1.68

experience

47% (74)

39% (62)

13% (21)

1% (2)

1.69

price

39% (61)

21% (32)

1% (1)

1.83

resume

6% (9)

24% (37)

37% (56)

33% (51)

2.97

schooling

4% (6)

13% (19)

36% (55)

47% (71)

3.26

personality

47% (73)

42% (65)

10% (15)

2% (3)

1.67

references

16% (25)

44% (68)

29% (44)

10% (16)

2.33

talent

56% (88)

37% (58)

7% (11)

0% (0)

1.51

ethics

33% (51)

31% (48)

26% (40)

10% (16)

2.14

Total Respondents

159

(skipped this question)

2. After gaining the knowledge and skills needed to be a graphic designer, at what point after training do you believe a graphic designer is considered a professional?

Response Percent

Response Total

1-2 years

20.3%

3-4 years

51.3%

5+ years

28.5%

Total Respondents

158

(skipped this question)

3. In the design industry, what qualities describe 'ethics'?

Total Respondents

(skipped this question)

4. What business ethics do you consider most important for a graphic designer?

Very Important

Important

Somewhat Important

Not Important

Response Average

Always acts in the best interests of the client and the client's business.

75% (117)

23% (36)

2% (3)

0% (0)

1.27

Always works with contracts for the mutual protection of themselves and clients, abide by said contracts, and never unreasonably withdraw services.

58% (88)

32% (49)

8% (13)

2% (3)

1.55

Always engages in ethical business practices, which include maintaining honest and forthright communications with clients, avoiding hidden fees or costs, and avoiding unsolicited electronic marketing.

79% (124)

19% (29)

1% (2)

1% (1)

1.23

Always documents all agreements with clients and keeps accurate�records.

59% (92)

33% (52)

8% (13)

0% (0)

1.50

Always protects the privacy and rights of clients by never�inappropriately disclosing information about a client's business, and� avoids conflicts of interest.

73% (114)

24% (37)

3% (4)

1% (1)

1.31

Always represents themselves and their skills accurately and professionally.

71% (109)

27% (42)

1% (2)

1% (1)

1.32

Always promotes client education of best practices in the areas of design and/or marketing.

47% (73)

43% (66)

10% (15)

0% (0)

1.62

Total Respondents

158

(skipped this question)

5. Graphic Designers should adhere by the following promises for every project:

Very Important

Important

Somewhat Important

Not Important

Response Average

Strive for excellence in branding, aesthetic design, and visual communication, with the goal of improving the business of every client.

82% (125)

16% (25)

1% (2)

1% (1)

1.21

Strive for excellence in the quality of every project, so that�the project is free of mistakes and technically sound for efficient�production.

80% (122)

18% (28)

1% (2)

0% (0)

1.21

Strive for excellence in communication with every client and production contact so that every step of the project flows smoothly.

75% (114)

23% (34)

2% (3)

0% (0)

1.26

Total Respondents

153

(skipped this question)

6. Graphic Designers should endeavor to maintain the highest level of integrity in their profession, and promote the value and legitimacy of design and marketing by:

Very Important

Important

Somewhat Important

Not Important

Response Average

Never working on speculation or for the promise of future payments or work.

52% (80)

31% (47)

15% (23)

2% (3)

1.67

Never plagiarizing the works of others, or knowingly infringing upon copyrights or trademarks.

87% (133)

12% (18)

1% (2)

0% (0)

1.14

Never creating work that disregards the health and safety of the community, or is blatantly discriminatory or offensive.

68% (103)

22% (34)

7% (10)

3% (5)

1.45

Never using work for the purpose of self-promotion without the knowledge and consent of clients.

36% (54)

38% (58)

20% (31)

6% (9)

1.97

Never reselling or repurposing finished works to other clients.

61% (92)

29% (44)

8% (12)

3% (4)

1.53

Never sacrificing design quality or integrity, no matter how small the project.

52% (78)

33% (50)

13% (19)

3% (4)

1.66

Never misrepresenting involvement or failing to attribute proper credit for collaborative or work-for-hire projects.

62% (94)

30% (45)

6% (9)

3% (4)

1.49

Never using unattributed/uncredited text, articles or other materials the designer did not create for the purpose of self-promotion or self-marketing.

65% (99)

24% (37)

7% (11)

3% (5)

1.49

Never allowing skills and knowledge of the industry to stagnate or fail to evolve.

49% (75)

39% (60)

9% (14)

2% (3)

1.64

Total Respondents

153

(skipped this question)

7. Would you find it helpful if there was a site, specifically targeted to clients, that provided information about working with designers, the design process, getting the most from the client/designer relationship, etc?

Response Percent

Response Total

yes

89.5%

137

10.5%

Total Respondents

153

(skipped this question)

8. Unethical business practices in the design world bites designers in the butt. Would you consider becoming a member of a group supporting ethical business practices?

Response Percent

Response Total

yes

96.6%

144

3.4%

Total Respondents

149

(skipped this question)

9. What sort of information would you like to see available online�for each member on a site such as the PGDA? (Please note: To become a�member of the PGDA, each designer will have to submit five pieces of work, including client-focused case studies on how each piece met the�client's design brief; client/employer references; educational background, whether formal or self taught, and experience. The�designer will also provide his/her name, company name, website URL, location, contact email, and services provided. In addition, the designer must sign a statement they agree with and abide by the ethical code set out by the PGDA).

Very Important

Important

Somewhat Important

Not Important

Response Average

resume

17% (25)

39% (59)

33% (49)

11% (17)

2.39

schooling

11% (17)

24% (36)

42% (63)

22% (33)

2.75

experience

63% (95)

31% (46)

5% (7)

1% (2)

1.44

client list

18% (27)

27% (41)

35% (52)

20% (30)

2.57

portfolio

80% (120)

17% (25)

3% (4)

1% (1)

1.24

Total Respondents

150

(skipped this question)

10. Of the submissions used to gain membership to the PGDA, which ones (if any) do you feel are not important to have online access to?

Very Important

Important

Somewhat Important

Not Important

Response Average

five pieces of work

55% (77)

27% (38)

11% (16)

6% (9)

1.69

client-focused case studies

25% (35)

29% (41)

30% (42)

16% (23)

2.38

client/employer references

15% (21)

30% (42)

40% (56)

16% (22)

2.56

educational background

5% (7)

17% (25)

47% (68)

31% (45)

3.04

experience

49% (69)

39% (55)

11% (15)

1% (2)

1.65

company name

48% (70)

23% (34)

18% (26)

10% (15)

1.90

website url

57% (82)

21% (31)

15% (22)

7% (10)

1.72

contact email

65% (92)

23% (32)

9% (13)

4% (5)

1.51

services provided

58% (82)

31% (44)

8% (12)

3% (4)

1.56

Total Respondents

148

(skipped this question)

11. Would you as a Designer become a member of the PGDA, stating you back the ethics set out in our code?

Response Percent

Response Total

yes

92.8%

142

7.2%

Total Respondents

153

(skipped this question)

12. Please share other issues you like to see addressed by the PGDA, or comments in general.

Total Respondents

(skipped this question)

108