Customer Reviews
My favorite design mag 
2007-01-01
Of all the design magazines, Print, CA, and HOW, HOW is the only one that has continued to match good business articles, print AND web. The only one I need every issue of.
HOW Inspires. 2006-11-18
As a freelance graphic designer only 6 months out of school, I would recommend this magazine to anyone else who is in the same boat. Not only does this magazine site books that may help designers, but it also gives advice on what works - the profiles of top design studios would give anyone ideas on what they need to do to keep business flowing.
I come from an entire family of designers, illustrators and art directors, all whom love Communication Arts - but that one is far too boring for me. HOW is more exciting, and for only $30, it is at a very reasonable price.
Still have not received this magazine. 
2006-03-23
I ordered HOW for a graphic designer friend's birthday in January and it is near the end of March and she still has not received anything...
so we have no idea how the product is... we have not seen it.
The business of design... not design of design. 
2006-01-12
This would be a great magazine for someone who either owns thier own design business, a pro freelancer or an art director who is high up on the food chain in an agency. Not very good for an entry-level design student such as myself. This magazine is first and foremost about the business of graphic design: how to promote your business, attract and retain clients, how to deal with a team of designers.
There are very little, if any, how-to's or design theory covered in this magazine. There isnt even much in the way of showing off of good design examples. Only some examples of "best-of" works that you have to really search for, and there isnt much in the way of advanced critiques of said works.
The "Guide To Self-Promotion" special section for subscribers was probably most benificial for me, because there was a nice little section on resume's and interview tips. However, you will find that most of that info can be found for free on the internet anyways.
As with many other reviewers, I'm a tad disgruntled at shelling out $29.99 for a bi-monthly magazine, 70% of which contains advertisments for different stock-image houses and specialty paper manufacturers. It is very difficult to "flip" though this magazine as every 10 pages or so you will find a paper manufacturer's ad printed on a thick card-stock sample. It is hard to stay concentrated on reading the articles when you are constantly fighting and struggling with the pages to stay open and flat.
It maybe designers-must-have... but 2005-07-27
It's full of ads.
Not just plain ads on plain papers, but on special papers that are triple times as thick as other regular pages...
It's so cluttered with ads that actual contents of this book are hidden among those "specially treated" ads, and you have to look for those contents pretty hard... if you still wanna read it.
I would recommend Communication Arts
a designers MUST 2004-10-28
HOW magazine's goal is to help designers, whether they work for a design firm, for an in-house design department or for themselves, run successful, creative, profitable studios. HOW strives to serve the business, technological and creative needs of graphic-design professionals. The magazine provides a practical mix of essential business information, up-to-date technological tips, the creative whys and hows behind noteworthy projects, and profiles of professionals who are influencing design.
Great Mag...But Amazon is charging $22 more than sub cost 2004-06-07
I found a how magazine and it is charging $29.99 for a subscription. I came across this same problem on another magazine that I was going to subscribe from Amazon...but the magazine itself was charging far less. I wrote Amazon about the price change (and they claim they correct prices in a few weeks) months later that magazine cost has not changed...
Not a good sign for Amazon...for magazine subsrciptions. I love Amazon...but why are they so out of whack with magazine costs?
As a subscriber for over 3 years... 2003-10-30
... I highly recommend this magazine to anyone interested or immersed in the graphic design industry. I have kept every single issue and frequently refer to them for ideas, reference, or to simply get those creative juices flowing. HOW's biggest asset is their dedication to helping the reader understand the business side of the industry and the all important client relationship. HOW does not exclude anyone in that they address the different issues agencies and freelancers face when conducting business.
HOW is a good buy and a great resource 2003-05-23
HOW is very practically-oriented, not a lot of "look at us, we're graphic designers" [junk] you see in other graphic design magazines. Self-importance is out. Information-importance is in. Each issue has loads of sage advice, and it's all very understandable to all designers, novice to Madison Aveenue.
Great magazine for all graphic designers.
Money Well Spent 2002-10-22
This magazine really fills the voids that design school leaves behind. I have developed some serious guts in fighting for what I am worth due to this publication. When you are a new designer, you get taken advantage of frequently. College did not prepare me to stand up for myself in this competitive market, and this magazine not only keeps you up-to-date with the latest in the design realm, but also serves as a gutsy, motivational read as well. This is a must have subscription for budding designers. What a relief to read a killer design publication from the midwest!
