Comments on: Design & Present - with Passion

By: Jesse Showalter

Jesse Showalter — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 15:22:21 +0000

I love the article, too many times i hear designers immediately pointing fingers at the client, check out the plank before the splinter. Something that I’v learned recently that has been a successful in working with clients, is to never ask them what they think about the design and always ask them what their clients or target demographic will think…food for thought.

By: Agnieszka

Agnieszka — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 13:15:18 +0000

Man, your blog is beautiful. Great work.

By: dem

dem — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 16:25:20 +0000

great article. i’ve really been pondering designer-client relationships and how it affects both the design and the bottom line, and your article really fleshed out those ideas and gave great practicals. thanks!

By: Skylar Hartman

Skylar Hartman — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 15:54:27 +0000

Thanks for the article, I really enjoyed reading it not just because it was written well but due to it being informative for designers who are still trying to learn the ropes (despite having been in the industry for a good few years).

In Christ,
Sky

By: Ismael Burciaga

Ismael Burciaga — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 15:30:44 +0000

WOW! This is a good article and everything you say is so true.

By: Josh Hemsley

Josh Hemsley — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 15:20:08 +0000

Wow this is a fantastic post Kevin! I absolutely agree with everything you mentioned. I cant say this still doesnt happen to me, but when I look back at the project it is always obvious the issue falls in my lap.

Its amazing how the industry has become so immune to the create/revise process. Perhaps it’s the mentality of “designing to appeal” as opposed to “designing a solution”. I’ve always had more success when I approach a client with the intent of selling them my product that will provide a solution for their needs and not just offering a “makeover”.

I think a lot of it also comes from laziness as well. I work with a lot of different agencies where their client relationship is completely non-existent. They’re not doing their homework and a client can see right through it. If designers aren’t doing their part in preparation and understanding about what is needed, how can they expect to reason with a client to agree to their solution for them. Like you mentioned, the client knows about their product or business so let them educate you. Get them involved in the educating process they doubt have any doubt that you understand what they need.

You hit on it, that all starts in the beginning from the very first introduction. Establishing trust, understanding, and authority over the project is essential.

For a brilliant article and presentation on this exact matter check out Paul Boag’s 2009 FOWD presentation “Get Clients to say Yes!” – http://carsonified.com/blog/business/get-clients-to-say-yes/

By: Chad

Chad — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 15:07:59 +0000

Great article Kevin. A lot of good points and it’s good to take a step back from what a lot of designers do – defend w/out legitimate points. Your example was perfect: ‘Simply telling a client that their logo and content suck will leave them feeling disrespected and abandoned.’. I feel like a lot of times when clients point out issues in the design, it’s less about the design itself than it is about the message it portrays. From the start, discussing important points and wireframing to ensure that emphasis is properly placed will also help get you moving ‘down hill’.