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Question:
Dear Mark,
What sort of computer equipment do I need to start my home design business? How much will it all cost?
Name withheld on request
Answer:
One of the drawbacks about working as a designer from home is that you need reliable computer equipment. Most traditionally schooled designers are used to working from the Apple Macintosh platform. In the past, software developers like Adobe, Macromedia, and Quark only produced their software for the Mac. This was a drawback for a couple reasons: A new Mac can be 2-3 times as expensive as a PC, and it seems like designers are sometimes the only people who don't work on PCs. These days however, all of the popular software applications are readily available for the PC, and in most cases they work just as well as their Mac counterparts. This being the case, the initial investment in computer equipment does not need to break your bank. Chances are, you already own a PC, turn it into your design computer!
As for peripherals, a few things are a must: A good scanner, a quality inkjet printer, a zip drive, and a CD burner. Fortunately, prices on these items have come down dramatically in the past few years. As a matter of fact, each of the above items, with the exception of the CD burner, can be had for about $100 each. A quality CD burner is about 300 bucks.
An adjunct to your computer equipment is your internet connection. I recommend a cable modem if it's available or DSL. I used to have a Dial Up ISP and a 56K modem and was frustrated by the need to disconnect in order to speak on the phone, and to reconnect to send and receive e-mail. Doing so throughout the day is not only frustrating, but time consuming as well. With either the cable modem or DSL you'll have the use of your phone line while you're online. More answers next month!
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Mark Fertig began working as a designer in 1993. He has a BFA and an MFA in design and has taught extensively at the University level and also speaks on the subject. Mark created our eWorkingWoman logo, and has also created designs for: MCI, McDonald's, National Geographic, Public Radio and Television, ESPN, Delta Airlines, Continental Airlines, the AARP, USAid, and many more.
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| He started his online business, Mark Fertig Design and Illustration, or MFDI, two years ago and has never looked back! Since moving in this direction, he created over 100 corporate identity packages for clients all over the world. He has been interviewed about working online by Newsweek, the Wall Street Journal, Investors Business Daily, and Business Week. Mark can be reached at MFDI@mac.com
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