clients?!
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- pascii
let's say you do that periodical work for a client. one da, you open the mail - and you see that the client gave the whole thing to another designer?
what would you do?
a. "ok, the job sucked anyway"
b. call the client and ask him why he didn't call to tell you, that he doesn't want you to do the job anymore
c. start a post on QBN?
- pascii0
i work for this gus for 8 years now and i don't think it's too much of a problem to talk about it together... so why ddn't he ring me? i don't understand...
- embarrassment or money.Hurley
- 8 years is a good stint.babaganush
- airey0
suck it up pussyboy, this happens.
the way to handle it is to be as helpful as possibly and act as maturely as capable (from the sounds of your question you'll have to fake it).
handle it right and eventually you'll probably see them coming back. it's the nature of our industry.
handle it bad and they won't come back and they'll tell people what a douche you are, creating negative feedback.
just my 2 cents.
- Calling somebody a "pussyboy" and then talking about maturity says a lot about you.itsmitch
- airey0
oh, but you're fully entitled to feel that stabbing pang of anger and self loathing, probably projected outwards. feel it, have a beer and let it slowly abate over the weekend. then think about the issue with a more even head.
- pascii0
but come on. if you have a business relation with someone for 8 years. it is NOT too much for me to except to get a phone call. THAT qould be professional in my opinion.
it would lead to a talk about the concept, new ideas and - if this is the issue - a new price.- if the industry is hire & fire. where would be the point to do conceptual work?pascii
- airey0
look in a completely rational world (where abstract concepts like communism could possibly work) you're totally correct. but people are all kinds of fucked up. sometimes we just need a change and with business connections the pressures come from all angles. new partners, new costs, the need for something simply new.
the key is to roll with it. if you've got the relationship then the key is to keep that and in fact act like the work going elsewhere is something that isn't even on your radar. act cool like fonzi.
whatever the reasons, you aint going to get them. even if you do it's not going to take the sting out of it. you feel let down and backdoored. i know, been there recently.
act cool as fuck. if they need files then supply them with a smile on your dial. most importantly act like you don't need them. do this and you'll keep their respect which might lead to more work from either them or leads they send your way (because their new designer is too busy). act like a tool and not only are you down a client but you'll have a negative propaganda machine telling people what a fuck you are before you can let them work that out for yourself.
again, just my 2 cents but they come with experience and i actually would like you to come out the other side improved rather than bitter and angry.
*dude-hug* (not in a gay way)
- BuddhaHat0
On the not getting a phone call part, either your relationship wasn't as great as you though, or he feels bad about it (i'm guessing the latter, some people are cowards).
On the transition part, do like airey says and just be professional about it (you had your usual harsh way of putting it airey :). I've had both outcomes happen to me.
PS. What's stopping you calling him and thanking him for the work over the years, and hoping to re-engage at some point in future if your services are ever required again? and if he has the time, could you pretty please tell me why I lost the work?
- ETM0
It happens. Sometimes clients just get the itch to try something else, kick a few tires. Often, if your work was good, rates good etc. they'll come back. Your relationship will often be stronger as they realize your value now having something to compare against.
I just had a client of 5 years suddenly tell me they had a new logo done elsewhere. However, they eventually had me complete the branding and we continue to work together. They wouldn't say anything, but I can only assume that whomever they tried, didn't work out in the way they hoped. They really seem to avoid the subject.
- macxorcist0
if you own the rights in your works sue him, plain and simple
- ETM0
I agree with BuddhaHat's comment about calling and thanking them for 8 years of business. Don't forget the fact that they did help support you/your business for some time.
At the end of the day, they paid you for a service and really owe you nothing. Courtesy and respect would dictate at least a phone call from them, but hey, as airey said, "you just got to roll with it".
Be the bigger person. Keep your self-respect and dignity. Don't burn bridges, consider that there may be factors or pressures in their decision you may not even know about. Most important... don't take it too personally.
- good point. i will think about that. somehow i "can't jump over my feet" when it comes to honesty.pascii
- pascii0
i'm talking to the client every week and we're still working on other projects together. all fine. about the specific project, i was talking about a relaunch since it's the same concept for over 3 yrs. seems like he thinks "new designer - new luck"... so much about business relationships.
i called him 5 mins ago, and he just _lied_ in my face about the reason.
some people are cowards. maybe i am too long in thois business and maybe i am naive in some ways, but i am the fonz.
- airey0
just chill for a few days and let the feeling of being fucking in the ring-piece leave you first. ranting here will help you but you gotta get there yourself. then, think about what you want to do that will make you feel better about the situation. at the end of the day the client stuck by your decisions for 8 years so whatever you feel is best will probably be the right call for you. if nothing else works, just kill him and wear his head as a hat whilst driving across state lines.
- Nah, just wear his face as a mask and go tell everyone that you're back on.ETM
- Fucking LOL airey!BuddhaHat
- So where exactly do you place 'decapitation' in the design brief?ETM
- in the small print somewhere up the back. 5pt italic helvetica thin.airey
- maybe ultra light.airey
- Got it. *makes note
You see, sometimes you CAN learn something on QBN.ETM
- airey0
an article you might like. i found this originally about 12 years ago. it scared me then, not better now.
- drgss0
b, a then c
- vaxorcist0
May have nothing to do with you.....
see if the client's owners are in any news articles.. mergers, talk of changes, etc.... often there's a new boss who has to put his/her stamp on things.... if you remember seeing anyone new when you were last at the client's office, that may be the answer....
Also, sometimes they get pressure to "get somebody cheaper" which is something you can either (1) wait out and get to fix all the work or (2) move on if they see you as a commodity
- t_rock0
happened to me recently too. best thing is to thank them. Who knows they may come back to you. I've had clients come back after 2 or 3 years. Sometimes they need to see what's out there to really appreciate what you do.