When a client says...
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- Scotch_Roman
"This is a picture of a three fold brochre that I found at last week's conference...heavy stock, 6" x 11" panel size. And the back cover is horizontal and made into a self mailer. I also like the cover....I could see copying the idea so that there are a bunch of pictures of our products in situ with the "elements" of safety signs/labels/tags interspersed....like various symbols, signal words, colors, formats, etc. I know I am stepping into the "creative" aspect of making this brochure again, but when an idea presents itself, I bring it forward."
Is there anything wrong with me saying "Thanks for the example. Given that I don't recommend copying anyone per se, I think there could be something useful about this monochromatic grid approach. Again though, showing me this sort of thing during the initial creative phase is a bit like when someone tries to solve a crossword puzzle over your shoulder. Believe me—the fewer pre-conceived notions I have, the better the final outcome will be. Perhaps you aren't used to working with designers in this way, but rest assured this isn't about my ego. It's about solving the problem I've been tasked with in the most effective way, i.e. you getting the most bang for your buck."
—I've basically already told the guy in a nice way that he's giving me too much creative direction. He backed down after that, but it seems he's used to being in the conceptual and sometimes even technical driver's seat. I think he's having a difficult time reigning himself in, because he's not used to designers who push back.
So, I've got a contract with this company to produce two brochures. We're still on #1. Should I bite my tongue and save the above for a post-mortem assessment, or lay it all out there before things get worse? I'd rather not fire them if I can help it.
- zenmasterfoo0
bite your tongue. say thank you and ignore his idea.
- monospaced0
You're usually really good at this. I would at least try to appease him while still exploring your own direction.
- tasty0
flex your creative muscle. drive it home.
- ukit0
In the end he's the one paying you.
What I would do is not push back, but if you have your own ideas, mock that up as well. If it's obviously better, hopefully he'll see the light.
- Scotch_Roman0
Yeah but what about the Murphy's law of presentations... the client always picks the worst direction?
- Scotch_Roman0
I think for this piece there needs to be a single evocative image on the front cover, with specific product photos inside. It's just a roll-fold brochure. I hate covers that try to tell the whole story before it even starts.
I guess maybe I'll just show him that approach, and when he asks why I didn't do the smorgasbord approach, I'll give him my rationale.
- rippedursite0
phrases like:
"over your shoulder" and "Perhaps you aren't used to working with designers"
come across pretty negatively. maybe just rephrase the way you say things as to not be insulting.
- nicole_marie0
If you have made yourself clear that this is not the direction you would take without his "input" and he is ultimately not getting his moneys worth by playing creative director, and he still wants to do it his way then make a decision do you want to...
a) show him your direction as well as his own
b) not do it at all and risk losing him as a client
c) say screw it and tell him if he isn't going to let you do your job then take his money somewhere else.I usually do my own direction and their "suggested" one.
- right...and make HIS direction look like utter shit (bad typesetting, stuff they can't really point out easily)monospaced
- wrinkled paper, coffee stainnicole_marie
- no, they won't respect you.bump79
- bump790
and ALWAYS present your direction well, much better than theirs. This way they will ultimately be more excited to see your direction as opposed to their shite.
- Scotch_Roman0
^ Yeah maybe you're right Nicole. I guess I've been spoiled in recent years, I'm using to clients who either a) don't give me any creative direction before seeing something from me, or b) are good friends that I can lay into if they step out of line, without anyone getting their feelings hurt.
- bort0
Do what he asks and collect the chedda.
- nicole_marie0
well if that is the case then i would just look at it as nothing more then a good learning experience, when i know i am not going to get any good work out of a job, i just try and work on my client skills... i know that sounds super corny but it really is a huge part of the job.
- TheBlueOne0
Remember, there is what you say, and there's what the other person hears. Focus on the second part of that more than the first.
- excellent pointRand
- can you tattoo this on my forehead?Rand
- Sure. But a) I can only do it in kanji, b) it'll cost you $300 and a bottle of premium single malt scotchTheBlueOne
- I owe you that at leastRand
- Scotch_Roman0
I seriously think this guy means well, he's just used to working with doormats. What I think he doesn't realize is this: the reason no design firm has ever really knocked his socks off is because he hinders the creative process, and doesn't even realize it.
- Scotch_Roman0
So how about: "Thanks for the example. I'll take it into consideration."
If someone said that to me, I'd take it as an unoffensive version of "I'm going to look at your suggestion and then do something completely different."
- ukit0
I think the winning approach here is to be positive about of their idea while still presenting your own and making sure it looks 1000x better. If they think you took their ideas into consideration they'll be more likely to accept your direction.
And while I'm willing to bet your idea probably IS better, imagine for a sec how you'd react if you went to a printer and described a detailed plan for printing something that you were gonna spend a couple grand on and they were like "no, I don't like that idea."
Not a perfect analogy because people generally hire graphic designers to come up with the concept (although obviously varies job by job). But in the end, it's hard for me to see the justification for refusing to do something - they are paying you, right?
- You could also look at it as a challenge to make his idea look goodukit
- well said.doesnotexist
- The funny thing is, it's not really their idea. It's someone else's.Scotch_Roman
- But I hear you ukit, I think there's truth to what you say.Scotch_Roman
- doesnotexist0
don't have an ego trip- listen to his idea and expand upon it. this is your job, dude.
- Scotch_Roman0
Not an ego trip DNE. My job, what they hired me for per the contract, is not just design but creative direction as well. This is new territory for them I think. I just want to create a relationship that cuts both ways.
I seriously must be spoiled, I haven't had to deal with this sort of issue in years. I guess in the past I was reaping the benefits of my previous employer's well-cultivated client relationships.
- maybe it will only take a polite redirection and reminder of what role everyone plays within the project.doesnotexist