Maintaining a healthy relationship with a client can be a challenge. As a designer you want to create beautiful masterpieces, and while your client can appreciate that sentiment they also have a vision that is far different from yours. It is possible to work together to create a product you’re both happy with in the end.
1. Listen to your client. They know what they want, they just can’t design it themselves, and you probably don’t want to work with the ones that try. Do your best to design a product that incorporates all the information they want you to use.
2. Put the needs of your client first. It’s important to meet deadlines and stay on budget. Rather than purchasing every image you run across, use FPO artwork until images can be finalized. Make sure your progress is consistent with their deadlines to keep the project moving on track.
3. Keep the lines of communication open. If a problem arises, contact your client as soon as possible. Also keep the lines of communication open and convenient. Using programs like Metrofax faxing can ensure you and your client receive important documents quickly and conveniently. Make sure they have enough time resolve any issues that may arise, or adjust their schedule if needed.
4. Don’t marry your design. It’s really easy to fall in love with your work, but if the client isn’t happy you need to be able to move forward with a new look. If you spend your energy arguing about why their idea won’t work as well as yours, not only could you lose their business, but you’ll create unproductive environment and will have a difficult time getting anything else done.
5. Remember you’re the expert. While it’s important to keep your client’s wishes in mind, you also have to know when to assert your expertise. If the colors clash, the fonts are unreadable, the images are poor or the overall design is simply too busy, speak up. Explain what your concerns are in a constructive manner, and offer alternatives that will increase the value of their design.