naiive designer seeks client with "high" aesthetic...

[sarahjoga]

Hello... I'm fairly new to posting here, what a nice source of info!

Anyway, my question... I'm a newby and a part-time freelancing newby at that...

I have been working with a client for a few months now, its a large, regional jewelry chain and I've been doing their "fluff" crappy stuff that no one cares much about, but doing a very nice job at it (if I must toot my own horn...) I have been moving up, slowly, to bigger jobs, and I've been paired with an employee there to work on some packaging concepts... the problem?

My new buddy has an aesthetic from 20 years ago... I mean really... old, cold, hard... So I'm doing my to manage both my own personal aesthetic integrity and giving the client what I want... but... how DO you manage this? I think the decision makers are wanting to see new and different, but how do I get my work seen???

I appreciate any words of wisdom...

[budafist]

I don't know how your work process is like do you pitch to your client? or do you only show them what they have suggested?

Work on a few ideas that get you excited. You can ask for critique on here. Then just show your client and let them know that you are excited about a new look for them. What could go wrong?

[Samakimoto Graphics]

Work with what you have...

You can borrow a lot from "ancient aesthetics", 20 years ago (I know you probably mean this as a joke) is not that long ago. Find a way to incorporate elements of the past with the present.

Heck, you can go back 40 years and inspirationally borrow from the cycadelic 60s as well.

You're a creative, don't box yourself in.

All the best!

[Six]

You have to work within the guidelines and objectives set by the client, or they will find someone who will. I have some big clients that claim they don't want to art direct but do - all the time! We try to get our clients to talk in terms of objectives and outcomes for the designs and stay away from any questions that gives them an opening to design for us. When we have a design forced on us, and we often do by some clients, we try to make it work as best we can. If we feel the solution is still bad we often offer up our own concept, knowing it has low chances for approval. Sometimes we actually win on those. Sometimes it only irritates the client, so be careful how you play that card. Also, is it worth it to you to spend that time there or where it may be more rewarding financially and aesthetically.

Six

[sarahjoga]

Thanks for the insight guys. I'll keep at it. I'm still working the "how to talk to clients" thing. That's a good idea to put my own ideas out there... can't really loose if I don't try, huh? Also a good point about moving to a new client... if I keep getting stiffled I might move... as soon as I find a replacement client. :) gotta eat.

[budafist]

When I get a brief for something I think is ugly, I do their design and also include my take on it. Unfortunately, it's about 50/50 on which design will get picked, but when the client picks what I regard as a better design, it restores my faith in humanity.