It may have a long name but only because it’s just that important. The 16th edition of the Graphic Artists Guild Handbook: Pricing & Ethical Guidelines is the bible for the creative industries, with information on copyrights, running your business, and maximizing your income. But the sections on pricing your work and sample contracts are what really make this your best new business partner.

Kyle is a successful commercial artist who creates brushes for some of Adobe’s products. He also sells/gives away brushes at his Gumroad store, and that’s where you’ll find Basic Inker, Paper Layer, and the brush that blows me out of the water, Broken Typewriter. Pay $0 or whatever you would like.

If you’re looking for drawing pens, this is the place. If you’re NOT looking for drawing pens, you’ll end up buying a bunch anyway. Amazing selection, detailed descriptions, and great quality. If you want to do more drawing, start here!

You know the photographer’s adage: “The best camera is the one you have with you”? I’m a firm believer that it doesn’t matter what you draw on as long as you draw. I have shelves of used sketchbooks, and the only observable similarity is that I seem to prefer ring-bound so I can open the pages completely. Don’t let anything hold you back from drawing!

Go with acid free so the paper doesn’t deteriorate. Buy from anywhere. Get one that fits in a backpack and another that fits in your back pocket. Blick is a good place

Psst! An illustrator friend, Stephanie Osser, gave me a Koh-I-Noor Magic Pencil and it made me starry eyed. Get a pencil sharpener with a large opening to go with it.

Join a community of artists and creative professionals! Surround yourself with peers who can offer guidance, resources, and insight, (and who can learn from you, too!). Members get access to free monthly webinars, among other benefits, and the Guild advocates for all artists on important issues in Washington, D.C. And remember The Handbook I talked about before? Join, and they’ll just send it to you. For free.

It’s clear from some of the above items that I firmly believe that we can’t shouldn’t do this alone, and that looking to others for help is a smart way to run your creative business.

Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life: Life-Changing Tools for Healthy Relationships (Nonviolent Communication Guides)

The foundation of design is communication. Yet many of us lack the basic skills to express our needs and to hear the needs of others: this includes clients, family, and close interpersonal relationships.

Out of the hundreds of books I’ve read, this is the one that helped me design a better life instantly. And every other book I’ve read on communication, negotiation, or leadership seems to reflect the tools and principles illustrated in this manual for life.

— Terrence Moline

The Business Side of Creativity: The Comprehensive Guide to Starting and Running a Small Graphic Design or Communications Business

If the Graphic Artists Guild Handbook: Pricing & Ethical Guidelines were my right arm, The Business Side of Creativity would be my left. Cameron S. Foote’s entire 4+ book series is a must-read for any designer interested in raising the bar on their business acumen.

When I started my business, this book gave me clear guidelines for the leadership style and business model I needed to create our company.

— Terrence Moline

Difficult Conversations: How to Discuss What Matters Most

From mundane situations like a roommate that doesn’t get the hints to clean up after themselves to the all-too-well-known issue of doing business with a friend who turns into a nightmare client, Difficult Conversations is a collection of must-have skills. Nobody likes conflict, but it’s unavoidable, and it only gets worse the more we put it off.

I have used the skills in this book to have better relationships with staff, more effective mentorships, and, yes, even a successful navigation of the family holidays. I highly recommend this to anyone, but especially if you’re the kind of person who “doesn’t do well with conflict” or describes themselves as someone who “just wants to make others happy.” There’s a middle road to take.

— Liz DiFiore

Brutally Honest: No Bullshit Strategies To Evolve Your Creative Business

The title says it all! Emily Cohen’s no-nonsense approach to managing a creative business is both brutal and insightful. This beautifully designed book is a journey for the committed business owner. Emily drops truisms like “When Qualifying, embrace the tough questions. What have you got to lose?” throughout. I read the book cover to cover over the course of two days when I first opened my business. The words have rung true in my ears more times that I can recount, unfortunately I have not always followed the great advice!

Every engaged business owner should have Brutally Honest close at hand throughout the business day!

— Linda Secondari

Mechanical Keyboard Sounds on Vinyl. Because sometimes you just want to be surrounded by the sounds of typing. If you love the sound of rain on a tin roof, or of a little mouse tap dancing on your kitchen counter, then you’ve hit the jackpot.

Many of us track our hours to properly bill our clients or to learn how much time it actually takes to complete certain aspects of our projects in order to put together proper estimates. Graphic Designer Erin Harris’ favorite is the Time Timer, because it moves clockwise as it counts down, replicating a clock’s movements, while visually showing you how much time is left for your task. Gain awareness of the time you’re spending on tasks. 

Keep your eye on your competition – and find inspiration – while simultaneously earning accolades for your own work by checking out/taking part in Communication Arts’ competitions.

— Creative Director Yanique DaCosta

No, it’s not just for taking selfies. I use a ring light for Zoom calls because I have too much light behind me. You might use it to attach your phone and record yourself as you draw to show your work in progress on social media, or to take photos of the products you sell on Etsy. There are three billion options and they vary in price based on your needs.

No link. Do a search, check out the options, and choose one that’s highly rated.

A gift card to a coffee shop. A membership to an art museum. Get out of your studio and draw/create/ideate somewhere new from time to time. No gift card? Just go to the mall and sit in the food court and draw the cinnamon rolls and soft pretzels. No loss of points if they have big bites taken out of them. Or take a walk to a local park, a lake, or the beach (watch out, though. Seagulls love pretzels.)