running a design shop
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- ********
what would you do that would be different from the norm? I would tell the clients what comps we suggest rather than present and wait for their clueless picks.
- ********0
WORK FOR ME. FOR FREE
- robotron3k0
ex-playboy playmates as account executives and project managers, the clients would be busting down the doors...
- BonSeff0
great question - i think about that answer all the time
but still ... i got nothing
- ********0
discover, develop, and deliver is kind of lame. rapid prototyping is where it's at
- Tungsten0
I can't speak for designers, but when I'm shooting a job for a client I do this....and I admit it's totally unethical, but it works when the client isn't on set and we are sending test shots through e-mail....
I'll set up the shot the way I want to (even if it's not following the exact art direction) and then I'll make an obvious error on purpose.
They will usually ignore everything else except the obvious mistake and ask me to change it...... I happily change that and still get what I wanted in the first place. They feel good because in thier mind, they have been exercising some creative control. In reality, I'm controlling the creative and turning the project into something that I might actually want to put in my portfolio. This may sound crazy, but if it's done in a very subtle way it can be really effective... I think this could probably apply to designers as well.- lol, good strategy********
- it's fucked up but it really works.Tungsten
- http://en.wikipedia.…THA
- Haha, I don't think it's that bad. You're giving them what they NEED, not what they THINK they need.gramme
- that's brilliant, but do then think you're less professional because you made such an obvious mistake?********
- Gramme said it right. Client doesn't really ever know what they want.monospaced
- oh whatever....thats not unethical at all...thats just demonstrating an understanding of psychologypowertoni
- when you bend over backwards to give a client exactly what they want against you better judgement they will very likely not like what they get.powertoni
- not like what they get.powertoni
- lol, good strategy
- monNom0
I'd work on better communication. Educating clients, managing expectations, etc. can take a lot of work that you're not always getting paid for, but seems to be where a lot of projects fall down.
and no more sodomy tuesdays
- jamble0
Tell them there is no creative process and to take what they're given.
- rafalski0
any Steve Pavlina readers here?..
- formed0
I would only hire competent, talented, reliable people. Not as easy as it sounds, I tell ya.
As far as 'guiding' a client to choose what you want, that's part of why they hire you. If you just tossed out 5 designs and said, what do you think and let it go.
It is a 'guided collaboration'. The best clients help you push a design farther and everyone is happy (this is true for graphics, web, video and architecture).Keeping everyone happy is the goal.
- nosaj0
Say no often.
- ********0
design a running shop.
- gramme0
uber, I already tell clients which comp(s) I suggest, and only show runners-up that I could live with. There have been times when a client was leaning towards a certain direction in a presentation, and as I looked further my preference became clarified; I then made the case for my pick, and at least half the time they see it my way.
One thing I would do differently from what is done at my current gig: less political correctness. I don't think it's ever good to be rude or tactless, but sometimes I feel like we have to walk on eggshells at my office. Case in point: I once had an email exchange with a web developer who mentioned someone in his family was gravely ill. I told him I'd pray for his family. My boss was CC'd on the exchange, and she actually reprimanded me for saying I'd pray for the guy—because "some people might be offended by that. We should avoid religious references in business correspondence. In the future, you could tell people they are in your thoughts and leave it at that. It sends the same message."
Ummmm, no: it does not. On one hand, I'm sending out vague, New Agey vibes for wellbeing that really don't do jack shit (still a religious reference, just a different kind); on the other hand, I'm calling down divine intervention on behalf of another.
Anyway, with my own shop I just wouldn't bypass my beliefs in order to avoid offending someone. I'd be cordial, diplomatic and reasonable, but I would not hide my faith. I think ultimately, whether people agree with me or not, they'll respect and accept my faith, such as it is.
Also, I'll say Merry Christmas to people unless I know for sure that the correct greeting for them would be Happy Chanukah, etc. I've had a bellyful of this bland Happy Holidays nonsense. If people get offended by "Merry Christmas", that's a problem on their end. They need a dose of perspective on what matters. I wouldn't want to work for people who'd get offended by a "Merry Christmas", at any rate.
- http://www.proteinpo…powertoni
- what is it with you southern rednecks? you don't believe in diversity of opinion?powertoni
- southern redneck? You've got the wrong guy, Jim.gramme
- I'm all for diversity of opinion, just not walking on eggshells. It's absurd, plain and simple.gramme
- oh whatever...you're one state up from arkansas and culturally speaking you're all the same these days...powertoni
- "THERES A WAR ON CHRISTMAS"powertoni
- "IF MY BOSS HAS A PROBLEM WITH ME PROSELYTIZING HIS CLIENTS ITS HIS PROBLEM"powertoni
- you didn't even read my whole post, did you?gramme
- gramme0
Also, I'd do the occasional pro-bono job, but I think a lot of design firms give out way, way too many freebies. Generosity is good, always doing friend/family work for free is bad. I know at a couple places, I've put many, many hours into projects that do not help companies stay afloat.
- MSTRPLN0
The power shuts off at 5pm and starts back up at 9am the following morning.
- monkeyshine0
What's with this standard of presenting 3 comps. Sometimes I can see it but if you are working closely with a client on a tight strategy, I think it can undercut the fundamental strength of the strategy. Put the right choices in front of a client, whether it's one or five.
I would like to have an environment where everyone who works for me is empowered to do their shit...everyone has their own space (like a micro-studio) and as long as they deliver on schedule and show up to meetings and are actively engaged in the business, their schedule is their own.
- gramme0
powertoni:
1. I haven't lived in the south for 20 years. I spent most of my life in Baltimore, and currently live in St. Louis which isn't exactly a southern town.
2. I'm sure as hell not a redneck. Being a Christian does not make one a redneck, last time I checked.
3. I'm all for diversity of opinion, just not in avoiding statements of good will in case someone might get offended by the fact that I see the world differently than they do.—end derailment—
- gramme0
OK so maybe I'm not finishing derailing this thread.
toni: I wasn't proselytizing anyone, and it wasn't a client for that matter, it was a collaborator (web developer). I simply told a guy I'd pray for him. Anyone who thinks "I'll keep you in my prayers" is proselytizing needs to pull their head out of their ass.
I don't think there's a war on Christmas, I couldn't care less whether people celebrate Christmas or not. I just think it's silly to get offended by someone wishing you a Merry Christmas. If I went to Israel in December and someone wished my a Happy Chanukah, I wouldn't correct them or get offended.
- for crying out loud.gramme
- How did this turn into the war on Christmas thread?monkeyshine
- umm, does anyone care? since when was this a war on x-mas thread?THA
- See powertoni's comments. Sorry for derailing...gramme
- moldero0
producers are useless bastards, i wouldn't have any.
- ********0
I hate producers too but they seem like a necessary evil. I survived two weeks as a designer/producer. Having to chat it up sucked pretty bad after a while.