Resourceful Designer - A Graphic Design Podcast
Resourceful Designer offers a graphic design podcast aimed at helping home based graphic designers and web designers streamline their business.
Each week, I shares advice, tips and resources to help you with all aspects of running a successful graphic design business.
But who am I?
I'm Mark Des Cotes, a graphic designer and web designer. I've been designing for over 25 years and I've been running my own successful graphic design business for more than 10 years. I thought it would be fun to host a graphic design podcast and share some of the knowledge I've gained over the years. If you want to know more about me please visit the About page.

Pitch Work: A Strategic Approach to Expanding Your Design Business – RD328
Today, I discuss growing your design business using a nifty little technique called pitch work. Not to be confused with dreaded spec work.

Design Your Destiny: 10 Steps Toward Design Business Success – RD327
Discover the 10 essential steps towards design business success for designers at any stage of their career. Don't miss these valuable insights on episode 327 of Resourceful Designer podcast.

Tell Your Design Clients What You Do and Watch Your Business Grow – RD326
Discover the importance of informing your clients about the full range of services you offer in this episode of Resourceful Designer. Mark shares personal experiences and effective strategies for keeping clients in the loop about your capabilities.

Unlocking the Power of Logo Package Swatch: An In-depth Conversation with Michael Bruny-Groth – RD325
I'm talking with Michael Bruny-Groth, the man behind three game-changing Adobe Illustrator Extensions that will transform your logo design workflow for good.

How a Snowy Roadblock Taught Me the Importance of Expertise in Business
I share a valuable business lesson I learned at a police roadblock. How confidence in your expertise, even in the face of self-doubt, can propel your career. Embrace your unique skills and charge what you're worth. Read on for a story that redefines expertise in business.

Unlocking Success: The Most Important Question to Ask Design Clients – RD323
Have you ever wondered if there's a secret weapon in the designer's toolkit? A question that can unlock a world of possibilities, simplify your job, and deepen client relationships? Well, there is, and it's probably the first question you ever asked as a child: “Why?” In this article, I'll explore how asking this deceptively simple question can revolutionize your design projects.

Designing Success: Applying ‘Selling the Invisible' to Your Graphic Design Business – RD322
Think of “Selling the Invisible” as your playbook for not just selling designs but the entire experience, trust, and value you offer. By incorporating Beckwith's principles, you can refine your marketing strategies, strengthen client relationships, and thrive in the competitive design industry.

Ditch the Clock: Why Designers Should Break Free from Hourly Rates!
Today, I want to chat about something I've seen buzzing in the design community – hourly design rates and why you shouldn't use them.

Navigating Pro Bono Design Work for Non-Profits and Charities – RD320
Let's talk about pro bono work for nonprofits and charities. Those organizations asking for a design magic for a good cause. Let's dive in and demystify the pro bono design world, shall we?

The Curse of Knowledge: Communicating Effectively with Clients in the Design Industry – RD319
Have you ever tried explaining something you're super into to someone who's not on the same page? That's what they call the Curse of Knowledge. It's like assuming everyone's on the same wavelength, but it's often not the case.