THE DESIGN INDUSTRY playbook
$199
10 years ago, I was
right where you
might be now.
I was unsure, overwhelmed, and had no clue how to stand out in the crowded design world.
I started to lose my creative senses and always felt in survival mode. (I still do some days – haha)
The turning point for me? Realising the real secret to a fulfilling career is learning to thrive with and without clients. That’s when everything changed and I have never looked back.
Today, I’m creative partner at Lincoln Design Co. where the badass team smashes work for the likes of Disney, Nike, and Netflix. I’ve published a book on creativity, speak on stages across the globe, and have built an online community of over a million humans.
In this course, I’ll teach you everything you need to design your own way
The Design Industry Playbook: For Graphic Designers wanting to thrive in tomorrow’s design world
Build a sustainable, successful design business that helps you stand out. This course empowers graphic designers to master both creativity for themselves (Creative Offense) and their clients (Creative Defense).
I will help you remove yourself from the sea of sameness and create more opportunities for your business.
Here’s what you’ll learn:
- Learn to consistently generate and communicate brilliant ideas.
- Build unshakable business foundations that protect your time and profits.
- Streamline your client process for smooth, efficient projects.
- Confidently sell your value and communicate your impact.
- Attract and retain clients with exceptional service and relationships.
- Create your own brand that stands out and attracts the right clients.
- Grow your social media presence and engage your audience effectively.
- Find time for personal projects that fuel creativity and income.
I BELIEVE THAT
YOU’VE ALREADY GOT WHAT IT TAKES TO MAKE IT – WE’RE JUST GIVING YOU THE MAP.
The Playbook packs in all the techniques, tricks, and real-world insights I’ve used to carve out my career. It’s your guide to charting your own course in this crazy design world.
YOUR GUT AND CREATIVITY WILL ALWAYS OUTSHINE ANY COOKIE-CUTTER TEMPLATE.
You know what makes your creativity tick—even if you haven’t fully realized it yet. The Playbook will help you hone your craft and show you that your creative instincts are your superpower.
IF YOU HAVE THE DRIVE TO CREATE, YOU HAVE EVERYTHING IT TAKES TO BUILD A DELICIOUS DESIGN CAREER.
You don’t need to follow a one-size-fits-all formula. The Playbook provides the framework to unlock your potential and help you design your own path, using the lessons, methods, and truths from my journey.
Super kind words from people I admire…
Reviews from Humans Who
are Actioning the Info in the
Playbook:
You’ll also get all
these goodies!
MBJ font collection
Copyright transfer docs
Client questionnaire document
Pitch decks
IP guides
IP guides
SOW’s
40 page brand guidelines template
Business & personal budget sheet templates
Terms & Condition templates
1 page identity guidelines sheet
Pricing guide sheet
NDA’s
Short form proposal template
Lots of fun!
Sub-Contrator agreements
Long form proposal template
TOTAL VALUE OVER $200!
The Playbook Has
FOUR Main
Sections:
1. THE 4 Pillars that Make a Complete Designer
You’ll explore the essential pillars that every designer needs to succeed. These core areas will help you create a well-rounded design career, ensuring growth and stability.
3. Creative Offense – A Designer’s Guide to Owning Your Creativity and Making Money Beyond Client Work
Balance the hustle of client work with building your own brand. Not only does this protect you from de-energising work, it also boosts your revenue streams so that you’re not just trading time for money. More creativity, more cash, more balance.
2. Creative Defense – A Designer’s Guide to Attracting, Retaining, and Thriving with Clients
With this module, you’ll set boundaries, create epic client experiences, execute super smooth projects, and run your business like a badass pro—without running yourself into the ground.
4. Trick Plays – Advanced Tactics to Scale Your Design BusinesS
Learn advanced tactics to scale your design business, automate growth, master client networking, upsell through partnerships, and learn how to prepare for a job interview if the time ever calls for it.
AND HERE’S THE COURSE
BREAKDOWN
Easy to digest, fun to watch and
100% no-nonsense guaranteed.
CURRICULUM
30 LESSONS 6HR 33MIN
You’ll dive into the key pillars every designer needs: creativity, goals, business, and relationships. Mastering these areas will ensure long-term growth and a well-rounded, stable design career.
- Lesson 1: Your CreativityTBD
- Lesson 2: Your Goals TBD
- Lesson 3: Your Business TBD
- Lesson 4: Your RelationshipsTBD
Creative Defense protects your mental energy and creativity, preventing burnout. It helps you set boundaries, manage workloads, and run your business like a pro while keeping clients happy.
- Lesson 1: Intro to Creative Defense TBD
- Lesson 2: How to Forge Unbreakable Business Foundations TBD
- Lesson 3: How to Create a Super Smooth Client Process TBD
- Lesson 4: How to Come Up with Brilliant Ideas Consistently TBD
- Lesson 5: How to Communicate Your Value and Sell It TBD
- Lesson 6: How to Get Clients and Keep Them Coming Back TBD
Focusing only on client work leads to burnout and drains your creative energy. Creative Offense helps you balance client work with passion projects, boosting both your creativity and revenue.
- Lesson 1: Intro to Creative Offense TBD
- Lesson 2: How to Build Your Own Badass Brand TBD
- Lesson 3: How to Grow Like Mad on Social Media TBD
- Lesson 4: How to Build a Newsletter That Pays You TBD
- Lesson 5: How to Get Noticed and Build a Reputation TBD
- Lesson 6: How to Find Time for Personal Projects (That Make You Money) TBD
This module covers advanced tactics to scale your design business and stand out. Learn automation, client networking, upselling, and setting up a productive workspace for growth without losing quality.
- Lesson 1: How to Setup ManyChat Automations to Grow Your Newsletter TBD
- Lesson 2: How to Run a Client Networking Event TBD
- Lesson 3: How to Setup Your Office Like a Boss TBD
- Lesson 4: How to Upsell Services You Don’t Do TBD
- Lesson 5: How to Scale a Design Business TBD
- Lesson 6: How to Prepare for a Job Interview TBD
Game Changers teaches you how to expand your brand with high-impact projects. You’ll learn to write a book, build a merch line, create a course, and run a successful workshop.
- Lesson 1: How to Write a Book TBD
- Lesson 2: How to Build a Merch Line TBD
- Lesson 3: How to Build a Course TBD
- Lesson 4: How to Run a Workshop TBD
Skills to Pay the Bills gives an overview of MBJ’s courses—Logo Legends, Brand Identity, and Branded Type. Learn how each can sharpen your design skills and elevate your career.
- Lesson 1: Intro into MBJ Courses TBD
Meet Your No-Nonsense Design
Mentor… Made By James
HEY THERE, MATES.
James Martin, better known as Made By James, is transforming the design education landscape with his rebellious creativity and relentless determination. He has dedicated 20 years of his life to achieving creative excellence, being sought after by clients for the impact his work has on businesses and the meticulously crafted experiences he delivers.
He now has one purpose: to build the best designers on the planet.
Through his real-world experience, he understands that to land your ‘dream client,’ you first need to become a ‘dream designer.’ The status quo within the design education space is focused solely on external outcomes,
when the real focus should be on internal transformation. He knows if he can help designers become comfortable with the unpredictability of the real creative world, then the predictable stuff becomes even easier to manage.
His focus is as a mentor to designers, but he is also a best-selling author, public speaker, and creative partner at Lincoln Design Co., where the team works daily with the likes of Disney, Liquid Death, and Nike. He is dedicated to guiding the next generation of designers with action, honesty, and love, creating a future where designers and clients thrive together.
Enjoy lifetime access and a 14-day risk-free trial
I believe you’ll be amazed by the course, but if you’re not satisfied, I’ll refund your payment within 14 days of the course going live, no hassle. Enroll today with complete confidence.
FAQS
To work in the MBJ Studio, start by enrolling in the Design Industry Playbook, our core course that builds essential skills through MBJ’s Creative Offense and Creative Defense frameworks. Upon completing the Playbook, you’ll have the opportunity to submit your portfolio, demonstrating your style and readiness for client work. We review Playbook graduates’ portfolios and select those who align with MBJ’s values for paid, real-world projects.
The Brand Identity Course focuses on developing complete brand identities, including storytelling, brand personality, and visual/verbal identity. In contrast, The Design Industry Playbook offers a broader approach, covering business essentials, social media growth, managing client relationships, and expanding creative skills beyond branding.
The Logo Legends Course is specialized in crafting iconic logos, focusing on design techniques and tools. The Playbook, however, provides a comprehensive guide on business strategies, brand growth, and leveraging creativity beyond logo design, aiming for a holistic industry approach.
The Branded Type Course is dedicated to mastering typography and custom type-based logos. The Playbook goes beyond typography, covering business development, industry skills, and strategies for long-term growth in the design industry, offering a wider range of knowledge and tools.
