1. Which do you feel is the biggest threat to our profession?
 Response PercentResponse Total
  the poor economy
4.1%6
  the glut of design graduates
6.2%9
  the fact that so many designers under-estimate their value and will work so cheaply
23.3%34
  the lack of understanding and awareness of what designers do by the general public
35.6%52
  the industry is becoming generic and deteriorating, similar to the illustration and photography fields
17.8%26
  other (please specify)
13%19
Total Respondents  146
(skipped this question)  0
2. Which of the following best describes you?
 Response PercentResponse Total
  freelancer or business owner
36.3%53
  in-house designer
27.4%40
  part-time freelancer
6.8%10
  part-time in-house designer
1.4%2
  part-time in-house designer and part-time freelancer
12.3%18
  Other (please specify)
15.8%23
Total Respondents  146
(skipped this question)  0
3. What level of designer would you say you are?
 Response PercentResponse Total
  I wouldn't call myself one yet, but I plan on becoming one soon
0.7%1
  I'm fairly new at it, but I do alright (1-2 years)
17.1%25
  I've been doing it a while and I'm fairly good at it (2-5 years)
32.9%48
  I've been doing it a long time and I'm very experienced (5-10 years)
28.8%42
  I'm a design god, the best there is (10+ years)
11%16
  other (please specify)
9.6%14
Total Respondents  146
(skipped this question)  0
4. Which is the strongest answer that best describes what determines the "basic, minimum requirement" to be considered a "professional"?
 Response PercentResponse Total
  the necessary level of craftsmanship and quality one must achieve
48.6%71
  the necessary level of experience one must attain
15.8%23
  the necessary level of business savoir-faire one must achieve
2.1%3
  the necessary level of customer satisfaction is all that's required
3.4%5
  earning one's primary income from it
13%19
  other (please specify)
17.1%25
Total Respondents  146
(skipped this question)  0
5. In what area would you like to improve yourself?
 Response PercentResponse Total
 I sure wish I could learn more about the business side of being a graphic designer
34.2%50
 I sure wish I could learn more about using the software in this field
15.8%23
 I sure wish I could learn more about the strategies of marketing and the psychology of consumers
44.5%65
 I sure wish I could learn more about what my clients expect from graphic design and how they interpret all my efforts
30.1%44
 other (please specify)
13.7%20
Total Respondents  146
(skipped this question)  0
6. Do you think that designers are receiving a fair price for their work?
 Response PercentResponse Total
  YES
2.7%4
  maybe
11.6%17
  not sure
15.1%22
  maybe not
16.4%24
  NO
37%54
  Other (please specify)
17.1%25
Total Respondents  146
(skipped this question)  0
7. If you think designers are not receiving a fair price for their work, which reason below do you think best describes why?
 Response PercentResponse Total
 too many designers bidding on jobs
7.5%11
 jobs are being low-balled by the inexperienced, the unethical, and those who have no sense of the design community
42.5%62
 designers undervalue and underprice themselves and don't charge what they're worth
28.1%41
 clients simply don't appreciate the value of graphic design
45.9%67
 designers seriously lack business savvy
15.1%22
 Other (please specify)
15.1%22
Total Respondents  146
(skipped this question)  0
8. Do you think internet cheap logo companies are undermining the integrity and value of professional graphic designers?
 Response PercentResponse Total
  YES
52.1%76
  maybe
18.5%27
  not sure
6.8%10
  maybe not
0.7%1
  NO
4.8%7
  Specify if you'd like to enlarge on the subject
17.1%25
Total Respondents  146
(skipped this question)  0
9. Are you currently a member of a design organization?
 Response PercentResponse Total
  YES
23.3%34
  NO
76.7%112
Total Respondents  146
(skipped this question)  0
10. Have you ever been a member of a design organization?
 Response PercentResponse Total
  YES
40.4%59
  NO
59.6%87
Total Respondents  146
(skipped this question)  0
11. For those of you who have been members of a design organisation, or are still a member, is there anything you would suggest as an improvement?
 Total Respondents  
42
(skipped this question)  104
12. Do you think that the existing design organizations are satisfying the needs of today's designers?
 Response PercentResponse Total
  YES
3.4%5
  somewhat
19.9%29
  not sure
42.5%62
  not really
14.4%21
  NO
11%16
  If you would like to elaborate, please share here.
8.9%13
Total Respondents  146
(skipped this question)  0
13. Which type of design organization would you join, and think would be ideal for today's design industry?
 Response PercentResponse Total
 one that concentrates on developing certification for designers
19.2%28
 one that is geared toward clients and educates them to the value of graphic design
43.8%64
 one that concentrates on developing professional ethics and standards for the industry
48.6%71
 one that concentrates on designer schools, education, training, mentoring and internships
19.2%28
 one that helps me advertise my website and portfolio and exposes me to a wider client base
22.6%33
 none. I don't need them
6.2%9
 Other (please specify)
10.3%15
Total Respondents  146
(skipped this question)  0
14. What would be a reasonable annual membership fee that you could afford to belong to the design organization that you chose above?
 Response PercentResponse Total
  $0
11%16
  $25 to $50
19.2%28
  $51 to $100
28.8%42
  $101 to $150
14.4%21
  $151 to $200
11.6%17
  $201 to $250
4.1%6
  $251 to $300
0%0
  $300 to $400
1.4%2
  $400 to $600
0%0
  Other (please specify)
9.6%14
Total Respondents  146
(skipped this question)  0
15. Do your clients have a good understanding of what graphic design can do for them?
 Response PercentResponse Total
  YES
14.4%21
  somewhat
43.2%63
  not sure
5.5%8
  not really
25.3%37
  NO
5.5%8
  Other (please specify)
6.2%9
Total Respondents  146
(skipped this question)  0
16. Do you think the graphic design industry needs a fresh, new attitude about who designers are and what they do, for ourselves and for the way clients see us?
 Response PercentResponse Total
  YES
61.6%90
  maybe
22.6%33
  not sure
4.8%7
  maybe not
0.7%1
  NO
2.1%3
  Other (please specify)
8.2%12
Total Respondents  146
(skipped this question)  0
17. Do you think that public relations can grow your business?
 Response PercentResponse Total
  YES
79.5%116
  maybe
13.7%20
  not sure
3.4%5
  maybe not
0.7%1
  NO
0%0
  Other (please specify)
2.7%4
Total Respondents  146
(skipped this question)  0
18. Do you think that launching a campaign that explains the value of graphic design to the public would be a great help to the industry?
 Response PercentResponse Total
  YES
62.3%91
  maybe
21.2%31
  not sure
5.5%8
  maybe not
3.4%5
  NO
3.4%5
  Other (please specify)
4.1%6
Total Respondents  146
(skipped this question)  0
19. Do you think that "graphic design" has become a vague term that inadequately describes what we do?
 Response PercentResponse Total
  YES
58.9%86
  maybe
17.8%26
  not sure
6.2%9
  maybe not
1.4%2
  NO
8.9%13
  Other (please specify)
6.8%10
Total Respondents  146
(skipped this question)  0
20. ... which term would you choose?
 Response PercentResponse Total
  Communication Design / Communication Designer
26%38
  Visual Communication / Visual Communicator
21.9%32
  Graphic Communication / Graphic Communicator
5.5%8
  I think "Graphic Designer" should remain the only catch-all term
29.5%43
  Other (please specify)
17.1%25
Total Respondents  146
(skipped this question)  0
21. Do you think a new term should be promoted in the minds of the public to help describe what we do, and...(see above)
 Response PercentResponse Total
  YES
28.8%42
  maybe
29.5%43
  not sure
11.6%17
  maybe not
6.8%10
  NO
15.8%23
  Other (please specify)
7.5%11
Total Respondents  146
(skipped this question)  0
22. Have you answered these questions truthfully?
 Response PercentResponse Total
  Yes, of course. I'm an honest professional
93.2%136
  Somewhat, I didn't feel much like thinkin'
4.1%6
  I tried, but I'm burnt out from working so much
2.1%3
  No, I lied, but then, that means I must be lying now....I'm confused.
0.7%1