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"The Best Advice I Ever Got"

Find the collected experience and knowledge of these best-selling Peachpit authors. Find out what inspires them, how they create their best photos and designs, and much more in this series.

Design Advice Photography Advice
David Airey

David Airey
David Airey, author of Logo Design Love, shares some advice that has helped him create his best designs.

Lindsay Adler

Lindsay Adler
New York fashion photographer and author Lindsay Adler knows that success doesn't come without risk. Don't be afraid to ask for opportunities, and remember that rejection is just another part of the process.

Alberto Cairo

Alberto Cairo
Alberto Cairo, author of The Functional Art: An introduction to information graphics and visualization, talks about the importance of making infographics work on an instructional level.

John Batdorff

John Batdorff
Award-winning landscape and travel photographer John Batdorff shares six critical points of advice that are sure to inspire you˜no matter what stage you're at in the creative process.

Giles Colborne

Giles Colborne
Giles Colborne, author of Simple and Useable Web, Mobile, and Interaction Design, recalls an important book that shaped his design early on and reminds us that communicating effectively, above all else, should be the goal of great design.

Tom Bol

Tom Bol
Tom Bol, author of Adventure Sports Photography, tells readers how being true to his goals and identity as a photographer has helped him achieve real world success.

Julie Dirksen

Julie Dirksen
Julie Dirksen, author of Design For How People Learn knows the value of being a self-starter. One of her favorite sayings is, "You don't need permission to be awesome." So don't wait—start creating!

Teri Campbell

Teri Campbell
In a field with no contracts, reputation and relationships seem important to building a steady stream of work. But Teri Campbell, author of Food Photography and Lighting thinks it takes a lot more than that.

Tim Kadlec

Tim Kadlec
Tim Kadlec, author of Implementing Responsive Design, uses a little coaching advice to push you towards your creative best. He also reminds us why it's crucial to be willing to make mistakes.

Jeff Carlson

Jeff Carlson
Jeff Carlson encourages you to think of yourself as a photographer, not just someone carrying a camera, because it can change the way you see your world.

Maggie MacNab

Maggie MacNab
Maggie Macnab, author of Design by Nature: Using Universal Forms and Principles in Design, shares some of the wisdom passed down by her father and how it impacted her career in a life-changing way.

David DuChemin

David DuChemin
Travel and humanitarian photographer David DuChemin explains why you shouldn't get seduced by your subject.

Stefan Mumaw

Stefan Mumaw
Stefan Mumaw, author of Creative Boot Camp, quit waiting for the muse to arrive and started making art a habit at the encouragement of a college art professor. Now he shares how setting aside time to work has helped him generate even better ideas.

Jerod Foster

Jerod Foster
Jerod Foster, author of Storytellers: A Photographer's Guide to Developing Themes and Creating Stories with Pictures, shares some advice that has made an impact on his career.

Jakob Nielsen

Jakob Nielsen
Jakob Nielsen, coauthor of Mobile Usability, reminds us that anything you think is easy or good might be terrible for the target audience.

Khara Plicanic

Khara Plicanic
Khara Plicanic, author of Your Camera Loves You: Learn to Love it Back, explains that know-how, patience, and persistence are the keys to a successful photograph.

Erik Spiekermann

Erik Spiekermann
Erik Spiekermann, author of Stop Stealing Sheep & Find Out How Type Works, 2nd Edition, shares the advice that has influenced his career the most.

Rob Sheppard

Rob Sheppard
Rob Sheppard, author of Landcapes: From Snapshots to Great Shots, shares how using the camera lens to see can have a profound impact on any photographer's work.

Robin Williams

Robin Williams
Robin Williams, author of the Non-Designer's Design Book, offers her insight into makes great design.

Brian Smith

Brian Smith
Pulitzer-prize winning photographer Brian Smith's newest book, Secrets of Great Portrait Photography, chronicles the stories behind his best photos over the past 30 years. His advice is driven by a central theme—take the time to get to know your subject.