When the client knows best and wants the worst ... ?

[Gonzo]

Have a client who is starting up an IT company, who has asked me to do a logo for them. All juicy details aside, I've pitched a couple of ideas which, for the buudget they've set, are unique and function well as logos and would suit their purpose just fine.

Because they're in the IT industry, there's a whole range of widely used icons and logos that are used to represent different parts of networks, computer components etc etc etc, and they are hell bent on using one symbol in particular as their logo mark.

I've tried dissuading them, even used the idea but really abstracted it so it'd take a little bit of thought to work it out, and had 'nope, please try our original idea' or 'please use the symbol as it is' which is just great considering their graphic design degree versus mine [i'm allowed SOME ego right?] but they want to see it done.

And I have, but my god it looks awful, and I don't even know if it's legal? I'm all for putting bread on the table dont get me wrong, and I know it can't always be up to my expecations and of portfolio quality all the time, but this is pushing my limits majorly - anyone else had this problem? And how do I determine legal ownership of these universal symbols?

Anyone please give me some ideas - the latest set of 'concepts' are all ready to go but I just can't press the send button...

G

[D-Frag]

just do what they want, honestly. and learn from your mistakes with taking on clients like this. you have basically 2 options. 1. you explain to them that they are paying you the big bucks for the design and your knowledge trumps all, end of story. or.... 2. you do exactly what they want, whether its crap or not you just do it, get the money and get outta the way and decide if this is something you want to continue to pursue.

bottom line the customer is still always right, if they are paying you for a service, whether that be creative, or just production you should be able to do that with no problems and no beef. no matter how bad it looks, after all it is your job to provide a service to your clientel.

everyone has to bite the bullet now and again, and with my past experience it will always be like this. i have had the rare occasion of doing work like this where i produce exactly what the client wants (which looked hideous) then presented there version along side 3-5 of my version, almost all of them decided I was right.

[budafist]

If you are concerned, write it into the contract that the client is responsible for trademark/copyright.

[Gonzo]

D-Frag, hear what you're saying, and like I said, it's a work in progress - the ability to 'let it go', do the damn job, get the money and go and buy a box of beers. Funny I thought the job was gonna be a cinch, considering how un-creative nerds can be [not all, but most] but nope, they are the designer here, I am merely the tool pushing the mouse ... I hate being a tool.

Budafist, the copyright thing is certainyl something I take no responsibility for and they're aware of that so I guess it only works in my favor of doing it and getting out of there - why make somethign my problem which doesn't need to be?

I'm just reading this other post (http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=34986)on a similar situation - I guess at the end of the day, if theyre paying the right amount of coin and they know what they want then it's easier and less stress and more profitable to just shut-up and do as told ay.

[budafist]

Just get it in writing so that you can put the blame on them should someone else's lawyer come knocking on your door.

[m00nwater]

I agree with D-Frag. The customer is always right, even if you aren't proud of the design. I have had a particular client in the past that I have learned from. I designed about 50-60 different logos for her company before we settled on something that she wanted right from the start. What I learned from working with her was that my ego sometimes needs to be in check and that listening to the client's wants and needs right from the start truly does wonders for both of you. The future projects I did for this company went much more smoothly and quickly because I listened to her before I touched my computer to start designing. In the end we both had something we could be proud of because I lstened to her. While we can give our professional advice to clients, they don't necessarily have to take it. All it means is that you don't put it in your portfolio if you're not proud of it. This whole idea of "I'm the designer and I know best" thing isn't always the best approach. We're essentailly in customer service, so if we aren't listening to our customer's needs, we're not really doing a good job. Being an inflexible person isn't being true to our profession IMHO.

As far as the copyright issue, as long as they are aware IN WRITING, I'm sure you will be fine.