The client is always right ... or is he?

OK, so if you're "old school" you were taught two very simple rules of business.

Rule 1: The client is always right

Rule 2: When the client is wrong, refer to rule 1

It might surprise you, but times have changed. Specifically when it comes to design work. No longer is it acceptable for a client to march into the marketing office and demand the full attention of the Art Director, or expect to lean over the shoulder of the junior designer and bark instructions of how they'd like the picture cropped.


These days, designers are less about combing the clients ego, and are more about working with the client in a partnership to get the best result for the campaign.

So next time you go shopping for a graphic designer to assist with your marketing campaign, and you see yourself assessing their skills, talent and cost, you may also find yourself being assessed.

Tips to help you be a great client

1. Ask Questions and Listen to Ideas: Be open to learning new things.
   Part of the designers job is to be aware of new trends and how the public responds.
2. Have a defined deadline: It might sound obvious, but if you can give a specific deadline as soon as you ask for a quote (and be prepared to stick to it), you are more likely to get an honest response on the practicality of a designer completing the job on time. (PS: asap is not a deadline)
3. Have one dedicated decision maker: Having too many people involved in making decisions or offering up ideas can put the designer in a difficult position of determining who's opinion ranks the highest.
4. Have an idea of what you want to achieve: Sharing what your expected end result will help your designer work out the right approach for your campaign.
5. Share your budget: Entering into the conversation with dreams of champagne on a beer budget will only frustrate both parties. But if you don't know or want to share what you have to spend, then at the very least use phrases like "we want it all, but don't have any money" which will allow the designer to offer up bargain ideas or perhaps DIY solutions. 

Prefer to be your own client and go DIY?

----------------------

By Andy Kahle
This blog article has been inspired by my many years of working in design, advertising and marketing.