3 VS 1 Mockups
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- mr_pants
What's the consensus on doing mockups for a customer who is interested in hiring you, three different versions or one?
It seems to be an ongoing debate around here. My opinion is one mockup based on feedback and consultation with the client. If we're listening we should come up with a strong idea. As opposed to three entirely different versions.
It always seems like such a waste of time and effort to do something three times when you know only one is going to make the cut.
What's your experience?
- Mimio0
Three is a fine for a presentation, but steer them towards one. So the client feels like they have good taste.
- freshmode0
I agree with mr_pants. But in a different sense.
If you are going to do a mock up for a "potential" client then 1 is enough. You are only developing an idea that proves you have what it takes to get the job. Then it would be either 2 more or 3 more.
If you are talking about comps once a clients has already signed a contract and has left a deposit in your hands, you go with 3. 5 even if it is worth the pay and the client wants or has different ideas he wants to try out. It is our job to develop a visual rep of what the client is thinking about for them to choose what they want to go with.
We are not meant to drive the client towards an idea he doesn't want just because it makes more sense then his/hers. It is our job to develop their idea into a professional, sensible, fuctional and anything else you would like to add, realization.
They explain, you develop. You direct artisticly and estheticly.
That is what the client wants.
So to answer your question. 1 to get the client, 3 to satisfy the client.
word
- Bluejam0
No more than two. And even then you should bias one more than the other.
Clients (from my experience) are very literal and can't look beyond the surface. Showing multiple designs will end up..."we want this colour (from one)..this navigation (from another)...the design process breaks down and you're left with a mish-mash of nothing.
Plus designing for the sake of designing is not really the idea here, if the design works, then it works..no need to go in circles.
Good dialogue before the design stage and a accurate brief is the key.
- ptrdo0
Several is good, but always show the best first. If they get nervous with the first, they will be hyper-critical of the rest. If they like the first, the others will help the sell.
- unknown0
None at first. You ask them to show you examples of sites they like then you do the research, analyze the bad and good things about the sites they showed you and then you come up with one mockup with a thorough presentation of the benefits your design brings. Of course they will like it in %99 of the cases cause you based your initial research on their personal taste. Also this methodology works only in regards to web site projects. I usually include a book with 6 sample logo ideas and their implementations when I develop an identity system. Don't forget it's not only important for the site to look cool and beautiful, if it doesn't bring results your reputation is gone out the window. Clients often oversee the results due to their own creative flares. We are here to make it nice as well as result driven.
- ER0
its not how many at once, its one at a time.
i dont know about everyone else, but im not happy till thier happy. so get lots of info before you start any and use the feedback toward the next draft. the client kinda gets off on feeling like they are hands-on in the design process this way also.
- k5m0
Depends on the client and the firm you are working at. If it's a highly professional firm, then there's no such thing as "might get the client". You have the client, they are spending bank, and 3 mockups is a min.
If you work for a small firm and deal with smal business most people don't know shit about what they are getting. Go simple, SUPER SIMPLE. show them lego block of the site (IE, text goes here, images here, nav bar here, just in rectagles), after that consult with them on what they like in the simple design, refine. Then give them your pimp shit design and they'll think your the shit (and will probably get the client.
- blindpilot0
freshmode::
i'm not sure i agree. i think we should steer the client. their experience and viewpoint is often blinkered and industry focussed.
we are the ones who have wide ranging experience over many industries, we perhaps even have stats which indicate consumer response etc.
i'm not saying that we refuse to do what they want, but we definately has a responsibility to guide them towards a successful and valuable result
- freshmode0
blindpilot,
I agree, but I think it is important to try to get their idea out as much as possible and introduce our skills when needed to make sense of it all.
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- unknown0
they always choose the worst option. being careful is a must.
- shutdown0
I did 3 designs and did what someone above said about showing the good one first...
They loved the first one, I then showed them the one I wasn't keen on and in reality knew it wouldn't work but it was part of the ideas that they gave me....
They loved it!!
DOH!
So I had to then design a site that wouldn't work properly for their ideas
I eventually took the bull by the short and curlys and guided my client into a mix of a new design with "some" of their ideas...I wish I'd done that at the start
Thus ends my story
- mr_pants0
Some good ideas here... Thanks for the feedback. I think part of my confusion over this matter comes from the fact that I try to have as much info before I even turn on the computer. My thinking is that the first version is the home run because I've addressed all the issues and put together my best proposal.
Because of this I feel doing an additional two designs is a waste of time. I understand that the client may want to see 3 version or even expect it, but if I've done the initial legwork and listened well I should be on the money with a single mockup. Is it an "industry standard" to offer up three. Are we just being polite? If you do offer three mockups, are they radically different in layout? I would assume you you want to use similar colours and fonts for each design if these are the things the client has shown a preference for but you would have to make them look somewhat different. Wouldn't you?
- Blofeldt0
Whether you do 1 or 3, upload them to a web page in like a demo area. Let them look at the designs and then take the page down or password protect it. That way they can't take the design to someone else.
- Blofeldt0
Yes, 1 design is always a better idea.
- freshmode0
You might have ideas that don't mix well together and that is the point of 3 different designs. All of the designs can be different, they just have to serve a purpose. They have to make sense. The client might want 3 different ideas to be drawn up to choose what they really like. It's like going to the store for a pair of jeans.
You know you want jeans and you want a particular style. But you still go and try on 10 pairs that you know are not as good but still are pretty fresh. You just might end up with something different.
Their isn't a webstore where they can come and pick a design they want. I mean, their is with templatemonster.com n shit but their is nothing like a custom fit pair of tailored slacks. That is what you need to give them. A new wardrobe.
JK. But you understand what I mean. They need options. Just cause you have a good idea doesn't mean they are going to like it. If they are paying you, do the 3 comps.
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- Blofeldt0
hmmmm, where i work we very rarely show more than one but I guess it depends on the client.
3 designs always gives the client a chance to say "how about the top of number 1, the left of number 3, and the content of number 2. And that tends to fuck everything up.
It's pretty hard to do 3 really good designs that are really different, i'm inclined to agree with the idea that if you've understood them properly, then one is enough, and then tweak it.
- k0na_an0k0
I always will do three with one condition. If the do NOT hire me in the end to design whatever it was they were wanting me to design I charge them $100 per concept for my time. I write it into all my proposals and make sure they understand that.
It always crosses my mind that a company can go out to 20 guys, have them all design concepts, then pick the one they like, copy it and have there "nephew who knows html" take it from there.
And I'll always ghost a watermark in the background.
I once even had a client want not only the home page but also the inside page done fully in HTML. He said "make it work exactly as it would if it were live" I told him to suck an egg.
- unknown0
Kona,
that's why you have a non-disclosure agreement. You make them sign it before any work is done. Of course I agree about a $100 fee for work on concepts, this was in regards to the 'nephew' you mentioned.