When a client says...
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- 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
- 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.
- 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.
- Scotch_Roman0
Yeah but what about the Murphy's law of presentations... the client always picks the worst direction?
- 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.
- tasty0
flex your creative muscle. drive it home.
- monospaced0
You're usually really good at this. I would at least try to appease him while still exploring your own direction.
- zenmasterfoo0
bite your tongue. say thank you and ignore his idea.
- 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.