Diverse or Niche?

[colonel5]

While working for my present company I still have ideas in the back of my mind of wanting to have my own business... So my question is, do you think it's better to have an array of things you offer (i.e. Layout, Web Design, Photography, Logo creation, etc...) Or is it better to just do one thing really well?

[jimking]

These days I would say both.

[Jeff Fisher LogoMotives]

I spent the first 17 years of my career taking on any and all projects that came my way and I got very burned out in the process. I really lost a lot of interest in graphic design. Finally, my sister suggested I focus on what I enjoyed the most. In 1995 I changed my primary focus to logo/identity design and it was the best thing I ever did. It re-invigorated my passion for design and jump-started my career. Since then I just don't take on projects that are not of interest to me.

- J.

[Eraser Nubbin]

I would say niche, but not necessarily focus on certain softwares or areas but I would say target a specific client.
Be the specialty farmers graphic designer or used car salesman designer. Learn about the industry that you are targeting and clients in that field will be more apt to work with you as opposed to working with a designer that knows nothing about there business.

[cbscreative]

If working by yourself, niche is better. If you are multi talented, you can have more variety within the niche. If you have other players or a network of reliable people, you can offer more services.

[defjoe]

depends on yuor market and what it can sustain. if yuor in a small are... would be better to be diverse. but in a big are (like NYC) then it might be better to concentrate on being GREAT at one aspect.

[cbscreative]

If you're doing web design, the market area is quite large. If you're marketing graphics on the web, your market is just as large. But you will certainly want to do most of your marketing locally.

[colonel5]

yeah i've thought about joing a few friends (a salesmen, a programmer, a photographer, a videographer, and another graphic designer) to do a full blown marketing firm. Which I think could be a lot of fun, besides working out all of the politics of course!