A Bang and a Fizzle

Here I am, nearly two months after starting this blog, and I’m just now adding a second post. Shameful, I know, especially considering well accepted rules for effective blogging make a point of being sure to update a couple times a week—I know I expect that from the blogs I frequent. So what’s my excuse? Have I been incredibly busy breeding Dalmatian Mice? Perhaps creating the latest art movement? Or maybe discovering the secrets of advanced astrophysics? Nope. I’ve been waiting.

Waiting for that brilliant idea that’s going to shatter current trends and make everyone think, “If only I had thought of that.” Well, it apparently isn’t coming soon enough. So, I’m going to pledge to myself, as well as anyone (anyone?) reading this, to relax a little and not be so concerned with appearing to be the smartest man alive. Beyond expressing my own opinions, I’ve decided I see and read too much good material to not pass at least some selective bits on. With that in mind, I’ve added two sections, “Original Content” and “Of Interest”, which I figure are self-explanitory.

Hopefully someone finds my thoughts as interesting as I do.

I’m Designer, You’re Client

The other day, a new client came in with what at first appeared to be a relatively simple project that offered the chance to produce something nice — certainly a chance to improve upon the existing piece. Given the simple instructions to “update” and maintain the existing character, my coworker proceeded to do the layout in a clean and functional manner, cleaning some things up but still retaining much of the previous style. Nearly half a dozen proofs later and my coworker was now angrily clicking buttons, cursing under every second breath trying to rid herself of the job. “This certainly won’t have our name on it” was a position we all firmly held. The client was quite happy — jovial one could say. I’m sure my bosses and colleague managed polite smiles.

I thankfully had the advantage of being outside and completely uninvolved with the project. Like a crowd around a car wreck, I couldn’t help but watch in shock and amazement. It was a perfect example of the dreaded client-driven design a college professor had warned of: “You don’t ever want to be just a pair of hands.” It all seemed so easy in the idealistic environment of the classroom, but how does one really create the designer/client balance — or boundaries — in the real-life situation of dealing with clients’ requirements and ideas?

Working in a small firm of four designers, a copywriter, and a part-time receptionist, as well as freelancing when I can, I’ve often pondered how one might, where required, gently remind the client of the $30,000+ that was invested in the knowledge that we’re hired for but often gets completely ignored. Of course not every battle can be won, but does this field simply require a temperament for holding the reigns on a ghastly monster with no control? Certainly there are designers out there that are hired for what they can do, and not what software they can operate. How do you make both quality work and quality relationships with clients? How do you have the client involved, but not too involved? Are there particular methods you use? Or perhaps you have a staff person dedicated to client relations? Or a book I haven’t heard of? Personally, I’ve been considering getting t-shirts that say “I’m Designer” and “You’re Client” and handing them out respectively.