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How do you deal with clients who have terrible design ideas?
Creative designers often have to deal with clients who think they have great design ideas, but in reality, they’re terrible. 🤣
How do you handle these situations?
Share your horror stories with us!
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This discussion was modified 1 year, 1 month ago by
shernan.
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This discussion was modified 1 year, 1 month ago by
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15 Replies
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There are a lot of variables at play here. Consider these scenarios:
- How long has the firm been around? How well-known is the brand, even if it isn’t as powerful as you’d like it to be? Adapting to a new logo could be challenging if this is the situation. You can’t just tell someone their baby is ugly… you have to give sound justification for why it should be changed.
- What makes the logo terrible? The fonts? Colour? Icon? It could be the colour scheme; if so, maybe you could recommend a set of hues that would impact their target audience more. If you can’t use the symbol, see if you can get away with using the wordmark. Why are the fonts an issue if they are? Is the intended meaning lost in translation, or are they simply challenging to read? In-depth analysis of the problem.
- Is it a personal preference? You and they have distinct tastes in art, right? Things like that occur frequently. Take it as an opportunity to sharpen your creative skills.
- How old and significant is the typical client? How old are they? Perhaps a friend’s cousin’s next-door neighbour created it at a low cost. If this is the situation, they may be receptive to advise.
Inquire open-endedly about how they feel about their current brand’s aesthetic representation. Figure out what they value most in a conversation. They recognize your expertise and are therefore employing you. People are generally eager to talk about their businesses and see how others see them. You should be nice and not inform them it’s “bad” unless you have a good artistic reason for saying so.
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i agree
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Depends on how “terrible” their ideas is, but in general, I handle it by acknowledging the idea of the client then make the idea as basis on what would I suggest the better design would be.
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It’s important to understand your client’s vision and goals, even if you don’t agree with their design ideas. Listen to their ideas and try to understand what they’re looking for. Ask questions to clarify their vision and understand their goals.
Once you have understood their vision, you can try to educate them on design principles and how certain design choices might impact their business goals. Explain why certain design choices might not be effective and suggest alternatives that would work better.
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This reply was modified 1 year, 1 month ago by Vicente.
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This reply was modified 1 year, 1 month ago by
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Personally, as the one who will make the design, of course it’s frustrating. They are the clients and I have to somehow comply with what they want. In my own experience, there was this client who explained to me briefly what s/he wants for the design, and then I made it the way I know, but then when I showed it to the client, it seemed like s/he didn’t like it. Then, I asked him/her what needs to be adjusted or edited, and then s/he told me, but it was very terrible. What I did is that, I edited/adjusted it but not entirely the way s/he wanted, I just based it on the client’s request, but still edited it in a way that I think is still pleasing to the eyes. Essentially, dealing with this kind of clients are challenging but you just have to be patient and understanding, and be flexible, this way you’ll comply to their request without compromising the quality of the design. You just have to find a common ground between you and your client so there will be no issues.
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Acknowledge their ideas and suggest some ideas to make it better
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by offering my thoughts on how to improve it more
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Inform your clients: They may have high expectations or not know the design process. Teaching them on what is doable and what would work best for their project will help them comprehend why some ideas may not be practical.
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It is important to listen, provide constructive feedback, and offer alternative suggestions that align with their goals and objectives.
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These situations require professionalism and consumer respect. Know their goals before dismissing them. Share your expertise and encourage them. Present design principles and project objectives-aligned options with benefits and justifications. Communication and cooperation can help you establish a design agreement.
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Dealing with clients who have seemingly terrible design ideas can be a challenging task for designers, but it is crucial to approach these situations with patience, empathy, and effective communication. Firstly, it is important to actively listen to the clients’ ideas and understand their perspective before providing any feedback. By acknowledging their input, designers can create a collaborative atmosphere, making clients feel heard and valued. After gaining their trust, it becomes easier to diplomatically explain the potential design implications and offer alternative suggestions that align with their goals and objectives. Additionally, designers can provide tangible examples or visual mock-ups to help clients visualize the potential outcome. Ultimately, effective communication, a willingness to compromise, and guiding clients towards more effective design choices can contribute to a successful and satisfying outcome for everyone involved.
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Dealing with clients who have different or “terrible” design ideas can be challenging, but it’s important to approach the situation with professionalism and effective communication. Here are some steps you can take to handle such situations:
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Active listening: Start by actively listening to your clients’ ideas and understanding their perspective. Even if their ideas don’t align with your design principles, it’s crucial to give them a chance to express themselves and feel heard.
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Clarify the objectives: Ask your clients about the goals they want to achieve with the design. Understanding their underlying objectives will help you propose alternative solutions that may better meet their needs while maintaining good design practices.
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Educate and inform: Many clients may not have a strong design background, so it’s your responsibility to educate and inform them about design principles and best practices. Explain the rationale behind your suggestions and provide examples that support your point of view.
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Offer alternatives: Instead of directly rejecting their ideas, present alternative options that align with good design principles. Show them examples or mock-ups that demonstrate how your suggested approach can achieve their goals effectively.
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Use visual aids: Visual aids such as sketches, wireframes, or prototypes can help your clients visualize your design suggestions more clearly. It can be easier for them to understand and accept alternative ideas when they can see the potential outcome.
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Build a case based on data and research: If possible, use data and research to support your design recommendations. This can help you justify your decisions objectively and make your clients more open to alternative ideas.
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Collaboration and compromise: Try to find a middle ground by collaborating with your clients. Encourage them to participate in the design process and involve them in decision-making. By working together, you can find solutions that meet their needs while maintaining good design standards.
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Explain the implications: If your clients’ ideas have significant design drawbacks or can negatively impact the user experience, explain the implications in a clear and concise manner. Help them understand how certain design choices can affect their brand image, usability, or overall success of the project.
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Maintain professionalism: It’s essential to maintain a professional and respectful attitude throughout the process, even if there are disagreements. Avoid becoming defensive or dismissive of your clients’ ideas. Instead, focus on finding common ground and guiding them towards effective design solutions.
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Seek support from colleagues or mentors: If you’re facing particularly challenging clients or design situations, it can be helpful to seek advice from colleagues or mentors who have experience in dealing with similar challenges. They may provide insights or strategies to navigate the situation effectively.
Remember, every client is unique, and their ideas should be valued, even if they don’t align with your initial design vision. Effective communication, collaboration, and a willingness to understand their perspective are key to finding common ground and achieving a successful design outcome.
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Thank you for sharing!
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Acknowledge their designs and suggest ideas to have a favorable design
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It is important to acknowledge your client’s ideas, even if you don’t agree with their design. Be attentive to their design, and it is okay to express your professional opinion by providing alternative suggestions backed by design. Collaborative communication and finding balance between their vision and effective design solution can lead to a more successful and satisfying outcome for both parties.
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