Comments on: Common client misconceptions in graphic design

By: Anthea

Anthea — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 06:23:43 +0000

Loved this post. I’m actually an illustrator but many of these issues have come up for me; I frequently get told,

‘I have an idea but don’t know how to create it on a computer’

one client told me:

‘you’re not the creative one, I’m the creative one, you just operate the machinery for me’,

I drew exactly what they asked for (a book cover illustration & layout) and they now have complained about everything that is ‘wrong’ with the ideas of the piece!!

By: Dan

Dan — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 17:52:14 +0000

I went through the color issue with a client this week. A nice read. Thanks for the post.

Dan

By: Jess

Jess — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 19:53:10 +0000

Thanks for the kind comments and offer. I’ll definitely keep that in mind!

By: David Airey

David Airey — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 11:15:45 +0000

I hope the journey’s a good one for you, Jess. Good luck with the September web launch, and if you think I can help out in any way, just let me know.

By: Jess

Jess — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 06:38:38 +0000

Love this article! Makes the journey of freelancing feel a little less frustrating and alone. Sort of like a collective understanding.

I will definitely be checking your blog again in the near future.

By: David Airey

David Airey — Mon, 25 May 2009 14:33:44 +0000

I know the scenario, Derek.

There are some people who go against your advice, no matter how much you protest. It hasn’t happened to me for some time, but I’d go ahead with their wishes. Give them what they want, then show them what you think is better.

By: Derek Kimball

Derek Kimball — Sat, 09 May 2009 09:30:32 +0000

I guess this would be a client misconception:

One of my first “paid” logo design jobs involved a client who insisted in getting a design that was overly flashy, highly detailed, and full of raster “bling”. I suggested to her repeatedly, that a clean and simple vector logo would be the way to go. There was no winning this one however, so I did what she asked for.

It turned out that she loved the design, but she was un-happy with how it displayed in smaller sizes. The reason being; the logo just had too much gong on.

I’ve found myself in this situation more than once. The client wants what they want, depite your strongest attempt at convincing them otherwise. I’m curious to see what you other designers do in a situation like this. Do you tell the client you just won’t proceed with something you know is not appropriate and will cause problems later on, or do you bite your lip and do what the client asks?

Nice article as always David. Keep it up!

By: Ryan Dearlove

Ryan Dearlove — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 13:27:56 +0000

I’m currently putting my portfolio/site together. But I have been asked by clients about my pricing – I just simply tell them that I get paid not for the labor but for my vision.

By: Narendra

Narendra — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 09:21:16 +0000

The most worst thing happens very often with few clients that they say “Don’t tell me, I know everything!” which always disappoint me. At that time it’s very difficult to convince them on our idea.

I always face problem while dealing with such client. Can anybody help me?

By: David Airey

David Airey — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 17:05:46 +0000

I wonder if maybe there are different ways to communicate with different clients?

Absolutely. Some treat their designer as a partner, and hire them to educate on the most effective route, whereas others simply want a ‘pixel pusher’ to turn their own ideas into a vector file. Nowadays, the vast majority of my clients are the former, but I’ve come across more than my fair share of the latter.