Make the Most Out of a Compromised Design
Posted on 03 June, 2009 at 16:48 PM
There are already 16 Comments
About the Show
Dealing with clients is never an easy task when you are a designer. Often we find our selves pushing pixels around instead of doing the actual design.
Today we discuss our thoughts in maximising the moment where you have to compromise.
There is always a way to improve on even the worst suggestions. We propose that you take your client feeback as advice and not as a direct command.
If you approach it as advice there is more chance that you will do the changes with a smile instead of an aggrivated frown.
Links mentioned in this post:
Related Shows
- (3) Episode 189 - Using Inspiration Effectively
- (3) Episode 188 - Get Featured, Then Advertise
- (5) Episode 187 - Design with the Lights On
- (9) Episode 186 - Apples and Oranges
- (2) Episode 185 - Design like a Dictator
User Comments
Brad C 03 Jun, 2009 17:19:18 PM
The ONE reason that drove me into freelancing and out of my last job was that my bosses never stood up to the clients. They would take the feedback and tell us to do it. So today's show really hit home with me.
In fact one of the last straws was a "above the fold" discussion we kept having. I compiled a whole bunch of resources and presented them to my boss ready to build the site right and at the end of the day none of them were used... And here I am 2 years later still getting worked up about it :)
But you guys are right. The clients hire us because we are the professionals and they want our professional opinion. We may not always win but you have to try and educate, that's why you're there.
David Perel 03 Jun, 2009 17:38:07 PM
@Brad - Yeah man, I am with you, it is seriously frustrating when you know you are right but cannot convince the people on the other side. As I have gotten older and more experienced I have been more able to judge the moment when an argument is required.
If I didnt argue I wouldnt anything in my portfolio...
Rachel Conn 03 Jun, 2009 19:55:47 PM
A lot of good tips here, especially the fact that as a designer, you have to be ready to defend any of the design decisions you have made. An instructor once told me that every mark on the page needs to have a reasoning behind it, otherwise it shouldn't be there. It's a really good way of analyzing a page and picking out the elements that may only appeal to you personally, but don't suit the client. Also - anyone who can make comic sans work on a site deserves a medal.
Keep the good videos coming guys!
Pete 03 Jun, 2009 20:26:40 PM
It is all about the clients mentality, some times they are hiring you because they find it cheaper than trying to learn how to do it themselves. These are the type of clients that you need to push a little back on, often I try to twist the words that they say in my head to see if I would react different had they said it nicer. If they said "Can you try it this way, _____" vs "Do this _____", may make it easier for me to take the feedback.
The biggest thing I think is what Marc said about education, if you can give them solid logic behind why their feedback is a poor decision and they still choose to do it then you did the best you can but it is critical to make the effort.
Marie Poulin 03 Jun, 2009 20:52:40 PM
The tricky part is when you give solid educated reasons for not doing certain changes, and the client wants to go ahead with the changes anyway. At that point, I'll work with what the client is requesting, but I make it known that I do not agree with the changes. I will usually also put time into an "alternate solution" that is based on what the client *wants* but go about it a slightly different way. If they still don't go with it, I finish the job as they want it and try to avoid working with them in the future.
Why would you pay someone for their expertise and then not take it? Always a good challenge- keeps you on your toes.
Marc Perel 03 Jun, 2009 21:21:06 PM
@Rachel @Pete - I'm glad you agree, education is such an important aspect.
But like Marie says, if we employ an Architect we're expected to listen to them because they know what they're doing, but in the web industry people don't see it that way. And it is a challenge, but it doesn't kill us, so it makes us stronger.
@Marie - You have another good point there; there's only so much arguing / educating you can do before say "It's cool, clearly this isn't working, so try someone else".
LaurenMarie - Creative Curio 03 Jun, 2009 23:39:26 PM
When you said that we have to take the client feedback and use it to fix the design (instead of doing exactly what they tell us), it reminded me of an article I read on retinart called, Good Designers Ask "Why?" It's a really great article if you have a moment to read it.
I think the big problem with client request (and Alex mentions that in his retinart article), is that they don't really know what they want, but they think they have a solution. If they want the logo bigger, dig deeper to find out that maybe they think it's being buried by other content in the design. Then work from that angle. But read the article above... Alex has a smart and extremely helpful way to get around absurd client edits to make the final product better for everyone.
Is it really possible to make Comic Sans look good?? ;P
LaurenMarie - Creative Curio 03 Jun, 2009 23:40:54 PM
Oops! Looks like the link to the article didn't work in my comment.
Here it is: retinart.net/working-life/good-designers-ask-why
Rob MacKay 03 Jun, 2009 23:44:07 PM
Firstly - lovin the hat. lol
Yea I had a client suggestion to stand up to, and when I did each time the client has been grateful. Its not like I go all "Mr T" on them, but I explain the reasons in a constructive firm but respectful way, and then they can consider. Thankfully the clients I have had to do this with so far respect my opinion... so I'm still waiting for the know-it-all to appear... lol
Sharene 04 Jun, 2009 02:00:55 AM
Fun video. We enjoyed watching it here in our studio. We can relate completely to this issue. The clients that give you total design freedom are few and far between. We usually show the client what they asked for and then WOW them (hopefully) with what we think a better option would be. Truthfully, this works about 75% of the time. The other 25% turns out to be a compromise. Even you said it yourself (about the "above the fold" issue), the client is right sometimes too. It really is about listening to them and delivering results that solve their problems.
Love your videos! Keep them coming. The Pi Design Team
kyle steed 04 Jun, 2009 14:36:46 PM
And last but not least... I've had my fair share of clients who are difficult to work with. But the absolute worst client is the one who doesn't like anything you show them, but doesn't know what they want. Because no matter how much you try and educate them or pick their brain for an answer, they just answer "I know what I like, and that's not it".
One client of mine in particular was like this, and it was the most challenging task for me in my professional experience. She had no clue about design, graphic or web, but she kept insisting something that would make her feel "warm and fuzzy". I seriously wanted to smack her in the face. But I didn't, I kept my cool and went back to the "drawing board" time after time. If it hadn't been for the fact that this was my companies client, I probably would have told the client that they could find another designer.
In the end, after months of going back and forth, we finally found the perfect solution for their website. Was it the best solution for them, no I don't think so, but was the client happy, yes. My biggest lesson out of this whole debacle was to continue to listen even when I want to throw in the towel.
Thanks guys.
John 05 Jun, 2009 08:01:21 AM
*Yawn*, this is neither educating not entertaining.. Very obvious arguments which any designer is aware of.
Anyway.. thanks for trying.
David Perel 05 Jun, 2009 12:12:06 PM
@John - Dude, not everyone knows this stuff. Do you know how many people are just starting web design TODAY and have never experienced this? Its not for the pro's its for the people coming up. It also would have helped if you linked up your site so we could see where the comments were coming from...
divinefusion 06 Jun, 2009 16:27:04 PM
As a (senior) designer, I have learned along the way that it is my responsibility to educate my clients about design styles, trends and overall all communication. It allows the client to feel apart of the decision making process vs us talking over their heads (with industry talk). I have also learned to not take certain types of feedback personal. Most clients have not purchased design before and generally are lost on where to start. If you want to create a lasting relationship, I believe its important to nurse the client/designer relationship, explaining your choices when the are in question, which, in my experience, has often proved favorable. //
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Jody Fransch 03 Jun, 2009 17:12:51 PM
Nice hat Davo!
Makes you look like a movie director:-)
Nice show guys.