When a client says...
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- lukus_W0
This sounds very similar to the story about Paul Rand telling Steve Jobs where to go re. the NeXT logo. I think that you might been to be Paul Rand to get away with his argument though.
- jtb260
As an in house designer (and the only one) I get shit all over for pushing back against my "clients" suggestion. I always put forward what I think will work, but it becomes design by the shitty committee more often than not.
It can be tough to not come across with as having a bad attitude when you are persistent about your idea over whatever asinine shite you're asked for. (I was actually pissed on for this very thing this week)
- NONEIS0
What client does not do this? Just ignore him and realize that clients only know what they want, and not what they NEED, that's where you come in.
- That's just the thing. I haven't had a client do this to me since I dunno, maybe 2003.Scotch_Roman
- It could also be that before going solo, I was shielded from more client nightmares than I ever knew.Scotch_Roman
- Vive la self-employment...Scotch_Roman
- Scotch_Roman0
I think I'll use this first contract as a litmus test, since I've agreed to do two brochures. If they are impressed with the first one and thus learn to trust me and give me the space to do what I do best, then it's a resolvable issue. But if nothing changes, they don't learn to trust me, and the next brochure is more of the same, then I'll know for sure if it's a relationship worth cultivating or not.
Thanks all for the input.
- bort0
I think you need to ask yourself if this is a client worth fighting for. If they're proving difficult to work with early on, that doesn't bode well for a long-lasting, fruitful relationship. Maybe they're just a client that you do good, competent work for, while saving your energy and ideas for other clients with more vision.
- Scotch_Roman0
At least I was able to talk them out of using Rotis...
- Scotch_Roman0
I wrote a contract for three projects back to back. Logo revisions, roll-fold brochure, and larger capabilities brochure. It's a couple months worth of work.
- Rand0
holy shit, you write a contract for a 3 fold brochure?
- <Scotch_Roman
- I don't think that's unreasonable. If money is involved and it's a new client (ie. hasn't proven they're trustworthy), I write a contract.bort
- yeah, it's two brochures -- a 4-6k job. It should have a contract.Josev
- 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
- doesnotexist0
don't have an ego trip- listen to his idea and expand upon it. this is your job, dude.
- 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
- 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."
- 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.
- 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
- 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.
- bort0
Do what he asks and collect the chedda.
- 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.
- 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.