Following the LAUNCH: Digital Marketing class put on by Editor at Large, designers gathered once again this month to learn the ins and outs of putting together an airtight contract with Attorney David Adler while sipping Mixcraft cocktails.
To begin, Adler broke down the meaning of a contract and explained why it’s so important for every designer to have one. He then took attendees through a sample contract, section by section, and explained everything that should be in it.
In the second hour of the class, Adler took questions from the designer attendees and gave them tailored legal advice on everything from how to ensure you get paid for the products and services you provide to what to do if someone takes to social media to defame your business.
“I want to tell you how valuable I thought the seminar was,” said interior designer Karen Ricciardelli. “I'm so glad I went! David provided important advice on contracts and I especially appreciated hearing about some of the experiences of the other designers.”
Designers also enjoyed snacks and homemade, cold-pressed all-natural cocktails by Brooklyn-based Mixcraft. Most importantly, each designer got a sample copy of a complete contract to take home to implement into his or her own business.
“What a great speaker David was,” said interior designer Jennifer McGee. “Great program and I look forward to joining you at another event.”
“David was excellent and it was worth that train ride back/forth,” said Carrie Leskowitz, a Philadelphia-based interior designer. “That's how I gauge everything.”
LAUNCH by Editor at Large is a series of in-depth, interactive educational workshops led by expert instructors who cater specifically to design professionals. Although interior design is deemed a creative line of work, much of what designers do on a day-to-day basis is business related. Thus, LAUNCH was designed to explore the most relevant and challenging business topics that designers face today—drafting airtight contracts, invoicing, marketing, executing a public relations strategy, social media, pitching clients, selling design services, managing client expectations and difficult personalities—with the goal of equipping them with the necessary information and tools to be successful, in addition to facilitating networking opportunities for creatives.
A full schedule of fall classes will be announced in the coming weeks.