Killer Graphic Design Advice - If You're the Expert, Why Does Your Client Order You Around?

In digging through my old email archives I found this one...

"Jeremy,
Sue does not like the scene in the window and on the computer being the same. She would like to see the exterior of the building on the computer screen. As for the fonts, the ones that you had in the last email are the ones she would like to see for comparison. She also thinks that it looks like the computer is floating in space, so she would like to see either a desk or the idea of a desk in the logo.If we can fix these items, we will be very close."

It's not unlike a lot of emails that I'd received in my earlier years of freelancing - when I didn't know how to manage clients, projects and revisions. From years of freelancing I've developed a process and an attitude that now prevents emails from this from popping into my inbox, and from me thinking, "Who the heck do these people think they are? It's like they're pretending to be designers when they aren't." If you're getting emails like this and feeling like your clients think THEY'RE the designer, you need step back and get a fresh perspective on who's the expert and who's the client.

If you're the design expert (and we both know that you are), why are they making all of the decisions? When you're out for dinner you don't go into the kitchen and tell the chef how to make shrimp scampi do you? (Please tell me you don't).

So why do clients feel that they should tell you what to do? Why do they somehow feel qualified to give you creative instruction when they don't know the difference between RGB, MTV, CYMK, LMAO or PMS? Something to think about, isn't it? I cover this in a lot more detail in my From Zero to Graphic Design Hero Audio Series, if you need some coaching in this area, check it out (I show you how to forcefully but politely do this).

If you feel clients order you around don't feel badly, I had clients do this to me for years before I figured out how to lead them through the process. Don't get me wrong, they still try but they don't get away with it now. 

PS - Quick but heartfelt thanks to Stephen who coincidentally did pick up the "FZTGDH" audio files a little while back - dude's made a remarkable turnaround as a freelancer and should be very proud of his new found success. Click here and scroll down to the comment section to read what he had to share.

PPS - Check out Inspiredology - Design inspiration lab this Friday under their "Friday Fix" post and you'll find me :) Thanks for adding me in Chad, enjoy the books!

Comments

[Dani in LA]

This is SO timely. I'm currently working with a client who's taken the "approved" design direction and told me what colors to use, what typfaces, what photos, where to place everything and at what size. I've been at a total loss as to how to handle the situation, and we've both been getting increasingly frustrated with the situation. I'll definitely take a look at your suggested reading. Thanks for posting!

[Jeremy Tuber]

Hey thanks for visiting Dani! Don't feel badly about getting frustrated in not knowing how to deal with this stuff, most freelancers have challenges in this area...clients can sense this, which typically makes the situation worse.

A good question to ask clients at the beginning of the project is, "What's more important to you, being able to join in the design process or making sure we end up with a great design that brings in money and clients?"

Clients will always say the later...so you then explain how you do this for clients with your talent, experience and decision-making. You tactfully explain to the client how your process (with YOU making the calls) will get them to where they want to be.

[Web Design]

Nice an interesting blog post, its really nice and much helpful thank you so much for sharing such a nice blog post.

[Jeremy Tuber]

Thanks for the comment W.D., glad you enjoyed the post, come back and visit soon :)