venting logo/client frustrations

[INDY GS]

So we all know a logo needs to work at small sizes and in single color. I can explain the reasons why until I am blue in the face, but some people just don't get it. I was schooled in traditional design with traditional principles. This is the place I hate to budge, however this client is just insisting on GRADIENTS, DROP SHADOWS AND REFLECTIONS.

I kind of like how the logo is turning out but see a whole lot of problems popping up down the road, embroidery, printing, vinyl graphics etc....

He does not even want to look at a single color version, he thinks it's boring and not flashy. I have explained that It needs to work single color, but can be "pimped" out for some color excitement but still nothing.

How do you all deal with this type of client? Do I just do it and deal with the consequences, or tell him he is on his own when production issues pop up? This is what I have pretty much decided, but needed to vent for a moment.

[Randomhero]

Some clients just think they know what is best and won't budge on it. As far as I'm concerned design it the way he wants. It will be their issue if the logo fails to hold up under certain circumstances. All you can really do is point out what and why it needs to be the way it is, if they don't agree there isn't much you can do about it.

[flutterby nut]

can you maybe do the logo on your end with future usage eventualities in mind...

but give him a file with all the enhancements he has in mind?

that way, when he later comes back to you with 'i need to put my logo on t-shirts now, can you fix it for me?'...you can say 'absolutely!'...find the file you made previously, hand it over, charge accordingly...no sanity lost...

some folks can't see the forest for the trees...;)

[Optimusdinkus]

ye who payeth shall geteth what he wanteth eth thu..... One suggestion is to give his pimped out versions a show and to include them with the final logo, just in case the idiot realizes what you should and should not do to logos =). Hey if he wants to use it or not, his business for bein silly. Or what flutterby said

[Yossarian]

You've told him what he needed to be told. Now I'd just do it the way he wants but with the understanding that it's going to cost him extra if he ever comes back to you for simplified version.

I wouldn't bother doing any behind the scenes work on a simpler version either. If he doesn't come back you're out that time. If he does come back and you hand him something in 5 minutes you're just perpetuating the myth that everything we do is easy and fast. It's nice to be thought of as a miracle worker, but it can bite you in the butt too.

[mojoprime]

you might shop around some prices to give him an idea of the difference in cost. show him that the multiple colors, blends, etc., make some projects riotously expensive.

[double A-ron]

You've told him what he needed to be told. Now I'd just do it the way he wants but with the understanding that it's going to cost him extra if he ever comes back to you for simplified version.

I wouldn't bother doing any behind the scenes work on a simpler version either. If he doesn't come back you're out that time. If he does come back and you hand him something in 5 minutes you're just perpetuating the myth that everything we do is easy and fast. It's nice to be thought of as a miracle worker, but it can bite you in the butt too.


Agree with all that 100%.