Design
Design—what a broad field. Designers of everything from toothbrushes to furniture to graphics write here on Pyragraph about how their careers come together.

How Do I Know If I’m Ready for Management?
If your inbox is overflowing with booking requests and media opportunities, and you simply cannot handle the workload on your own, you need a manager.
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Dear Little Bobby: Waste Not, Guilt Not
Far too often in this country we throw things away that would still be wanted by someone else. Everything from perfectly edible food which places like Whole Foods throw away because the bananas are “a little too yellow” to the unwanted pets that get thrown away by fools who get a dog without wanting the responsibility of its care.
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Dear Rich: Can I Be Sued for Modifying My Own Writing That I Donated to the Public Domain?
I believe that a greatly modified public domain work would be a new work and therefore copyrightable, right? I couldn’t be sued for modifying my own writing, could I? What are my rights in this case?
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Choosing Board Members to Maximize Your Nonprofit’s Effectiveness
The very best prospects for your nonprofit’s board will be people who share a passion for, and commitment to, the nonprofit’s mission. No matter what name recognition or professional credentials particular people may have to offer, they will not be assets to your nonprofit’s board unless they care a lot about what you do.
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Want to Support the Arts? Start a Nonprofit!
We artists and writers can’t afford to passively watch all the things we care about burn to the ground. Rather, we should be proactive in ensuring that the arts have a place to flourish and thrive in every town and community in the US.
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Dear Little Bobby: Tired of Being Teased
Nothing makes me temporarily forget about Donald Trump’s disgusting treatment of immigrants quite like a quick and amazing fuck. It does not mean that we are bad people because we stop calling our congressperson long enough to enjoy having sex with our partner.
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Dear Rich: Pancho’s Copyright Status, and Contract Questions
Beware that the Cisco Kid’s sidekick Pancho’s copyright status is not as clear. Pancho did not appear in the O Henry story and was reportedly inspired by Don Quixote’s sidekick, Pancho Sanza. His first appearance was in the 1945 film, The Cisco Kid Returns (not to be confused with the 1939 film, Return of the Cisco Kid).
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Mental Health Care Is a Human Right (and Artists Are Humans)
Guest Blogger Katie Alice Greer: “OK Sadness means the machine in my head is working just fine and Not OK Sadness means, just like a runny nose, upset stomach, or a hacking cough, that I am currently sick. Plenty of factors both genetic and environmental mean I’ll always need to keep an eye on how things are going in my head.”
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Dear Little Bobby: My Head Is Going To Explode
You have probably heard it said that we “can’t fix stupid,” but I do not agree. Quality education can fix stupid. But what we cannot fix is someone who chooses to be ignorant and to stay ignorant. You can only explain the difference between socialism and fascism so many times before you are just wasting your breath.
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Dear Rich: Can We Use Ancestry and DNA Information in Book?
I’m helping two authors with a manuscript about their experiences researching their ancestors who were slaves. I am unclear about the legal rights associated with certain material including: 1) publication of information found in public records, 2) publication of information from church records, historical society records, family bibles, etc.
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Dear Rich: I Was In a Music Video But Never Paid
Congratulations on being viewed by more people than the combined population of South Dakota, Delaware and Montana. Although your numbers pale when compared to Grumpy Cat or OMG Cat, you do have something in common with those feline YouTube stars: You’re not likely to see a paycheck. Here’s why.
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How to Talk to a Crowd: Public Speaking Tips Lessons I've learned through fumbles and fuck-ups
The most important detail for you to be clear about is who is in the audience. How much did they pay to get into the event? Say, for an art competition, who are the participants: adults from a local correctional facility or high school students? You’ll want to cater your talk to their perspective.
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Trump, the HR Department and a New Hope for the Inexperienced
Now, because of one man, there is hope for me and others like me throughout the country yearning to work jobs they have previously found themselves barred from simply because they have no experience. Who is this Chuck Yeager; this Jackie Robinson; this Harvey Milk of the inexperienced?
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Dear Little Bobby: Compassion for Fascists?
I get very upset thinking about our president and how he mistreats people. This whole disgusting administration makes me angry. I’ve been told that I should have compassion for him, but how is it possible to have compassion for this fascist?
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Native Voices Matter Now More Than Ever: How Sundance Inspired Me
Being surrounded by different indigenous people lit a spark, filled me with pride, and confirmed to me that yes, it is our time as the youth of the Native nations of America to rise up and be the generation that takes back not only our identity but our voice.
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Dear Rich: Do Interview Release Forms Expire?
I have signed and dated permissions forms that explicitly inform the participant that their recorded interview could end up in a published journal or book. Is there an expiration date on the permission they granted?
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