The Big Client Divide
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- canoe
I've been working closely with a two-person team as pretty much a virtual employee. Concept, execute, project manage, it feels very part time rather than a project hit man.
I've been loyal, I'm always there for meetings when they show up late, etc, it's all on Skype anyways, we've had our hits and our fouls just like any other job that lasts over three years.
We landed a new client and I took everything under my wing and worked with their writer. I developed several logos and sold one internally - brand, logo and website look/feel all working in harmony.
A few weeks before presentation he wants to bring on 'some fresh new eyes' to have another go at it. They turn out to be a joke.... free fonts, presented at 8 inches, marks would never look good engraved, dated work, theme line text would scale down to 5pt when printed at 3 inches.... all the signs of a Jr Designer that needs some help. But he's 50, so he's never learned and still gets away with this shit.
I guess my client hasn't ever learned either because the client picked the shitty one. I want to quit now but I'm not just yet ready to get rid of the money. So to shorten the thread, I believe he needs to be educated on what a professional logo looks like, my client that is. And I stopped reading logo books 5 years into my professional career... does anyone have any suggestions? I imagine just s flip through of solid work for him to look at on the pooper.
PS - It's been a long time since I've felt personal about my work, I wouldn't have gotten upset 10 years ago, but I really had a universal brand, look, feel, message, targeted appropriated, contemporary, national appeal. I shouldn't have gotten so close to the work. But I think this and the fact he didn't sell my brand idea to the client, he sold whatever came to his head at the time, shows that he's ignorant about design and is in his own little bubble-wrapped head.
- monospaced0
- Also, that sucks. Not much I can say really as I don't think you even want advice or input on the matter. You're a good designer.monospaced
- The advice would be should I dice this guy and quit...canoe
- Tough one. If he brought in fresh new eyes, it might mean he's not happy with your work at all and it's time to go. Do you have the luxury of leaving?monospaced
- canoe0
Looking for logo books
- freedom1
I'm confused what the other two people on your team do?
Who brought in that amateur "fresh eyes"? The client?
- freedom1
If the client chose a bad font and one that won't show up, put that into words and show a mock up of how it won't work.
- fadein111
Yep confused who you are referring to as the client - the guy who is employing you as a freelancer or his client who's job you are working on? Trying to work out which of those people is pissing you off?
- Hayoth1
The way you separate yourself is strategically. But, since design is a service industry, he's paying, it's his call.
The best thing to do is qualify clients so you find the ones that believe what you believe.
- And design is subjective. The truth is, people love 'playing' designer because it gives them something to create.Hayoth
- canoe-1
65/hr - not bad
They have to stick around because I need the money, but that doesn't mean I can't buy them a Logo book in order to educate their eye.
- monNom3
Maybe it's a good time to get out there and start selling your own ideas? You're the talent the client wants to buy, these other guys just found you first. You'd have the opportunity to pitch your vision, and the direct client interaction to know when that vision was just not what was going to work for the clients needs.
Also these other guys are totally billing you out for at least double what they're paying you, so there could be more money in it on your own.
A logo book sounds like a good way to sour the relationship. I'd leave that bridge un-burned but recognize that you might be at a point in your career where you need to develop more business on your own, and where you can present your ideas directly. Nobody is going to understand them as well as you, so you've got to present.
- Worked on a few pitches over the weekend, sent today, not clinching my butt over it, but it's a good habit to continually sell and develop a CRM, I've been lazycanoe
- fate1
Chalk it up to 1 bad play, shake it off and move on.
If it happens again, then it's time to dump this two-person team.
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I have a very similar client. Owns her own marketing firm. Came from the account side. Doesn't have a good understand of creativity or that all important element - taste.
She regularly allows shitty work to ruin otherwise good project. For instance, a logo for an airport site I'm doing that reminds you of a plane flying into the twin towers (I shit you not). How that wasn't killed right on the spot I'll never know.
- My recommendation: keep working with them. But if it happens again, bolt.fate
- +1skwiotsmith
- Fate... it sounds like we have a similar situation going on...canoe
- I don't really want to dig $50 into my pocket either especially when I have to pay for new business cards (wink)canoe