Nail It

This is the first book to lead emerging designers to the salaries they deserve, and author Ted Leonhardt is the first person to dedicate his career to addressing the challenges creative people face.


“Nail It” is a pocket guide that uses real-world stories to demystify the negotiation process. Does negotiating intimidate you? Have you left a meeting with the vague feeling that you caved in too soon? Ted Leonhardt posits that feeling gun-shy and giving in too soon are common in the creative community, and that such costly missteps can be avoided. “Nail It” was inspired by conversations the author had with the 2013 BFA design graduates of the University of Washington, which in turn led to conversations with his friends, clients, and colleagues on their experiences entering the business. Undeniable patterns came to light, ones creative people encounter and struggle with time and again. 


Using his own appealing illustrations and a light touch, the author identifies principles and strategies to help designers of every stripe earn more money. In “Nail It” you’ll learn how to:


• Beat back feelings of intimidation when negotiating

• Jumpstart a stalled interview

• Maintain your integrity at every stage of a job search

• Always behave like an expert

• Attract the interviews you want

• Never leave money on the table that should be yours!