getting client 2 see your vision
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- lament
if you work for 2Advanced, Who's We, etc, i have a question for you:
how do you get the client to see your vision of how you want their website to look - and trust you?
i work for a small web design shop, and it seems like i'm not the designer at all, because they want that shitty beveled button, or that pea green background color. basically, THEY end up designing the site.
how can my shop get them to LET US DESIGN THE SITE and trust that we know what we're doing?
i see all of 2A's sites and this is what i think: "Their client has a ton of money and lets them do whatever they want. They would never have beveled buttons."
am i off the mark? Pixelranger?
it's very frustrating.
- Vinney20
Most of it is how you approach them. I know it sounds silly but so much of how you are with them (your verbal approach in meetings) determines how much input you have to the site.
EG:
"Perhaps the bevelled buttons might look out of place?""Having worked on many similar sites (like X site if true), I know kitch design elements like dated buttons with bevels ditract attention from the purpose of the site. You would be making a mistake there. Leave it with me and Ill show you two possibilities of alternative buttons at 5pm. Can you tell me what you think of the new ones tonight or tomorrow?"
- jking760
tell them that they hired YOU to design, not have them boss you around at what you do best.
them bastards.
- monNom0
don't be an asshole about it, but let them know that you're the expert, and in your expert opinion, you think that X is a mistake, where as Y is the right course of action... but then, there are times that it's good to have a client call you on something, especially while you're coming up... Otherwise you'd never grow as a designer, and all your work would be trendy masturbatory tripe that would serve your ego and not the client.
- ershinn0
My eyes hurt.
- GooseAss0
i don't think there's much you can do... most people have very different taste from what you or i like. WWFT and 2A-style design is only appropriate for a very small number of clients.
yeah, bevelled buttons and drop shadows are fucking ugly, but at end of the day, if that's what your client wants, that's what they're going to demand, and you should just shut up, deliver the goods, and cash the checks. hopefully you'll come across clients with better taste in the future. that's my experience anyway...
- gumey0
Personally, I think it starts with the Account Exec. Sometimes, they whore you out like an Amsterdam Brothel looking for the fat commission.
And sometimes... You get the ILL projects.
I think it's the Designers job to sell creativity with his/her portfolio. It's the Account Exec.'s job to know the capability of his/her designers and sell the designer's skills along with their expertise.
However, there is a "Catch 22". If the designer's portfolio is lacking the client might not hold the designer's knowledge in high regard. And it makes it harder for the Account Exec. to convince clients the desinger is a "master" of his/her trade. Nevertheless, if the Account Exec. is not selling the designer's skills very well the designer might end up with a lackluster portfolio. Thus, leading the client to believe the designer is still not a "master" of his/her trade.
Perhaps, strengthing the Account Exec./Designer relationship is key. Maybe try being a little more choosey with your clients.
I work next to ya, and feel your pain... Updating garbage, designing crap for clients b/c my vision isn't sold well... and lack of trust seems to irritate me the most...
Next time we get a F'ed client... I'll be there to help throw a fax machine accross the room and smash in the Paper Weights/iMacs...
- clarakent0
it because the "cool" design firms are being hired be those clients who understand design.
- k0na_an0k0
I usually give them the ol' squinty eyes and threaten them with the ol fist of furry.
- GooseAss0
well, for me, one of the things that helped was realizing that getting the client to see things "my way" wasn't the answer. rather, i do better work and am happier when i'm better able to see things the CLIENT'S way. hillman curtis writes a lot of good things about this in MTIV. it's a tough pill to swallow, but ultimately it is the key to doing good work. you have to try and see past their requests for tacky shit to figure out what solutions will speak to them that AREN'T lame and suggest those instead of their terrible ideas. i'm not making any sense, but hopefully you get the idea.
- i_monk0
Do what you want and then make it sound like it was their idea so they can take credit.
- eyoto0
Think strategically...ultimately the client wants to feel like they have an element of power in the decission making. This is fine but you have to find creative ways to educate your client. A lot of times creating mock focus group/ client excercises will do this or at least force them to think of things in a new light. Strictly telling them that this or that sucks never works in my experience. Find clever ways to choose your design or content battles. Bottom line let the content and the brand dictate design realizations.
just my two cents
-e
out
- unknown0
they need to believe and trust in your opinion. Be confident have a reson for every little thing. Show alternative routes but never show the client what your not happy with, cos 9 times of ten they'll choose it!