With much experience and years of cultivating relationships with clients there is always one client that stands out… the one that is Difficult to work with. This person is someone that you least expect to pounce on you. This person is someone that chooses you to work with and in turn is a client that you have accepted to work for. At the onset of the job all starts off well. A deposit is received and the design process begins. You follow your design processes and begin to work closely with the client.
First a design brief is completed by the client. A design brief includes questions that will help the designer learn what the client’s business is about, what the client needs and wants. Now having a certain understanding about the person and their business you begin researching images and think about how to approach the new design. The client offers her ideas, and images that make her happy. You oblige.
Ok! Sketch, Sketch, Sketch and tumble the ideas in and out of your mind. The first design is presented to the client to give her an understanding of the direction you are headed. Immediately blood rushes to her head and you are attacked for not having the correct size, color or shape. And to top it off, she has already scrapped a copy from the Private web link you provided and brought it to an online printer for sample business card viewing. You, a mind reader should already know where this is headed.
Wow! Stand back! Be open to learn about what the client likes and dislikes about the first design being offered. It is important to listen and understand. 1.) You are the expert in this area and know she has missed the point on how the process between client and designer works. You know best. 2.) Reassure her that the image is only the starting point of where you can go. Working together will bring the end result she desires. 3.) Don't forget to have watermarks on your work!
This method fails. She resists and closes you down before you can take the next step. You now have no where to go with the client. She didn’t allow you to work out the design process and had little input before ending the relationship. This client was not only difficult, but she is not the right client for you! Don't ruin future business for one bad apple! Take the loss and move on!
Kristine Sheehan
First a design brief is completed by the client. A design brief includes questions that will help the designer learn what the client’s business is about, what the client needs and wants. Now having a certain understanding about the person and their business you begin researching images and think about how to approach the new design. The client offers her ideas, and images that make her happy. You oblige.
Ok! Sketch, Sketch, Sketch and tumble the ideas in and out of your mind. The first design is presented to the client to give her an understanding of the direction you are headed. Immediately blood rushes to her head and you are attacked for not having the correct size, color or shape. And to top it off, she has already scrapped a copy from the Private web link you provided and brought it to an online printer for sample business card viewing. You, a mind reader should already know where this is headed.
Wow! Stand back! Be open to learn about what the client likes and dislikes about the first design being offered. It is important to listen and understand. 1.) You are the expert in this area and know she has missed the point on how the process between client and designer works. You know best. 2.) Reassure her that the image is only the starting point of where you can go. Working together will bring the end result she desires. 3.) Don't forget to have watermarks on your work!
This method fails. She resists and closes you down before you can take the next step. You now have no where to go with the client. She didn’t allow you to work out the design process and had little input before ending the relationship. This client was not only difficult, but she is not the right client for you! Don't ruin future business for one bad apple! Take the loss and move on!
Kristine Sheehan
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