- I've heard a lot of designers say,
"Gee, that would have been so much better
without the client."
I don't believe this in any way.
The client pays the bills and collaborates
in an excellent relationship to do a better project.
Let's define a good relationship.
Every creative interaction is going to involve ego,
subjective thinking and taste.
These are personal issues for everyone involved.
So expect disagreement and discussion.
The dialogue should be constructive.
Helping both parties reach an understanding.
My favorite clients are not the ones
who let me do anything I want.
They are the people who bring a new perspective
to the project.
One of my clients pushed me to do better on every project.
She had faith that there was a solution beyond the expected.
It was frustrating as heck sometimes,
but the work is so much better from her input.
She understood the business and audience
and gave me insights into the brand message.
This type of partnership often leads to a solution
that you would not reach alone.
The collaboration creates a better solution.
I demand a level of respect.
If I give that to my client, I expect the same in return.
They may disagree with an option
or want to see additional variations,
but that doesn't mean they think I'm an idiot.
Disagreements are the beginning of a dialogue.
They don't make the other party evil.
The only person in the world who could yell at me
was my mother, but she didn't because she was a saint.
There was no place in professional life to be yelled at
or spoken to in a demeaning or insulting way.
We are not discussing the faults of one's closest friend.
Type face issues do not require
dramatic emotional outbursts.
The chances are good that a client who behaves this way
will know other people who do the same.
Your referrals will lead to a stable of clients
who mistreat you.
Assuming that your client doesn't yell at you
is willing to listen and entertain new ideas
and can communicate, go ahead
and get in the trenches with them.
Learn as much as you can about their goals
and integrate them into the project.
Sit down with your client every week to discuss the progress
of any issues that pop up.
Ask them to join you at the printers for a press check
or meet with you and the developer if coding is involved.
The more involved they are with the process,
the more they will have ownership of the project.
Participation leads to buy-in from the client
and maintains the brand system over time.
Of course, things can go wrong.
We're all human and mistakes can happen.
When I've made an error,
I follow the three Rs with my client.
Recognize.
Take responsibility and define the error.
I goofed up and transposed the numbers.
Remorse.
Show some degree of regret.
I feel awful about this.
Rectify.
Provide a solution to make it right.
I'll fix that mistake immediately.
In the end, the client and designer relationship
isn't too complex.
Sure there are emotional and challenging issues,
but everyone wants the project to succeed
and feel like part of the process.
I follow something my grandfather told me.
Don't worry too much about them liking you.
Just try liking them.