Convincing a client to choose good design ...

[vxhorusxv]

Hey all,

I have a bit of a conundrum that I am hoping you will lend me your opinions on. At the beginning of the summer I took on one of my first freelance clients. I have worked in-house for several years and done independent projects for myself and for friends, but all of the independent projects I worked on were for people who had some appreciation for and understanding of design.

Unfortunately, I can not say my client has the same sense. The owner of the firm actually faxed me sketches after 3 rounds of work for the first project, which was fine [and they paid my rate with no questions asked] but the layout was bad - awful even. I spoke to my contact [not the owner] and explained why the layout was less effective than it could be and used a list of reasons to justify my position [none of them being "I like mine better" - I'm pretty open to feedback and collaboration]. At the end of the day the owner wanted it his way and I put together his layout.

That was 2 projects ago and I have [politely and politically] brought up the notion that the design would be more effective if moved into another arena - I even went so far as to show the CommArts Ad Annual from last year for examples of good concepts.

My problem is: even though I am giving them exactly what they want, I feel as though I am ripping them off because I know the designs are not nearly as good as they should be. Is this something that I just sort of say "the client is the boss" and smile and get paid or should I really continue to lobby for change? If it is change, can someone suggest a new path, clearly I'm walking up the wrong one =)

Thanks!

[Cyan_Ide]

It all depends. I understand that it's frustrating because (you think) you're being being essentially hired for your expertise on the subject matter, but then they blatantly ignore it. Like going to the doctor and telling him to buzz off when he tells you you have a disease. But that's the way it goes, since we deal in the subjective. Everyone knows what they like and some clients just want you to realize their vision instead of hearing out your professional take on the matter.

I'd say it's up to how you feel. If you think that you've done the best that you can in advising the client about what you think is good or bad in the design, and they're still of the mind that their idea is the one you're going with, I think it would be well just to shrug this one off and get paid for it. If you've tried your absolute best to have them listen to your thoughts and they still won't take them into account, chances are they're the sort of person who won't listen no matter what.

[knowrelation]

Yeah, situations like that hard, since some people simply do NOT have a designer's eye -- it's difficult to get them to "see" how something isn't working or why one thing looks better than another, etc. Unfortunately I still think that if one is working for a client he or she may have to do things they don't agree with -- I've hated around half of the freelance stuff I've done! -- and other than voicing your opinion there's not much you can do. If it gets to the point where the money isn't worth the aggravation I would terminate that client's account, though -- I've had to do the same over creative differences.

[tZ]

Give them what they want and don't loose sleep over it. I'll fight to an extent but, some people you just can't change and they think they know more then you even though they did hire you in the first place…

[Virgo Nightingale]

Plead your case... once. If they don't take your advice, just bite your lip and do what they ask. Unless of course, you have a myriad of clients and can afford to lose him. ;) So you don't end up with a portfolio-worthy piece. Big deal. Better than ending up with no pay.

[Typically]

i'd give my reasoning once and then let it go. i'd give them a piece of paper smeared with dog turd on it if that's what they wanted. they are the ones that are paying for it so give them what they want. i've delt with this a bunch with my clothing company. i'm not the majority i'm barely a minority in the company but i'm the designer. they listen to me to a certain extent but they also know what they want... i've been know to "forget" suggestions from time to time =]

[CkretAjint]

Plead your case... once. If they don't take your advice, just bite your lip and do what they ask. Unless of course, you have a myriad of clients and can afford to lose him. ;) So you don't end up with a portfolio-worthy piece. Big deal. Better than ending up with no pay.

AMEN! She said it all right here. *claps*

[vxhorusxv]

My conscience feels much better - I've plead the case, I tried. I'm going to sit back, shut up, and get paid now.

Thanks, all! =)

[Alan G]

I have, on one occasion, added a clause to the effect that the client was constrained not to tell anyone I had designed the piece. In a situation like this you're not really being hired for your design skills, but for your familiarity with professional layout software so you can realize what the client has in mind, in a way that a printer can execute. Either way, the money spends just as well.