Comments on: Why Designers Shouldn’t Settle

By: Ale

Ale — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 13:03:26 +0000

Let me elaborate. There was a study, that called young people “The Google generation” http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/families/article4295414.ece which states that today information is easily accessible through a couple of clicks. That has an impact on daily life for the children and teenagers, if they can’t resolve something in a short time, they tend to give up or to settle. Design, same as computer programming, takes practice, a master piece does not necessarily comes when you intended to. To settle with a customer (generally going against what your expert vision tells you), is the easy way out. The shortest path, the easy one; most of the times means poor quality.

By: Joshua parker toulson

Joshua parker toulson — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 17:26:06 +0000

“Great post. Thank you for sharing such an eloquent speech. Truly inspiring for fresh people who nowdays just want the quicker solution before looking for quality.”

- Not sure if your making fun of everyone here. Quick vs quality. Interesting. Not sure how or what this has to do with the conversation.

By: Ale

Ale — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 11:38:21 +0000

Great post. Thank you for sharing such an eloquent speech. Truly inspiring for fresh people who nowdays just want the quicker solution before looking for quality.

By: Jessica

Jessica — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 22:00:59 +0000

Ya I end up with a lot of design-by-client. But I’m starting to notice a pattern in in-decisive people… thankfully I can afford to refuse work now.

By: m a r c o

m a r c o — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 13:49:42 +0000

Oh! And I just wanted to add something to my previous comment. Sometimes you begin a project with the best intentions, but clients make it impossible to create something great. Over the years, I’ve learned how to communicate with my clients and help guide them through the process (after all you’re the expert right?), but there are some clients that simply will not let a project develop into something that is “portfolio worthy”.

I think this cartoon says it best :

http://theoatmeal.com/comics/design_hell

By: jay

jay — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 21:32:43 +0000

This is a good article but what if you don’t own a business/work freelance? I work under an agency and I’m forced to completely slaughter my designs all the time. It sucks but it’s part of getting your foot in the door I guess? Additionally, I’ve noticed that the more creative I try to be, the less my work is used. Whenever I try to refresh things or add something new and creative to a design it is just immediately ignored by the client. They want safe, conservative, etc. I understand they want to stick to their branding but they often chose a design that veers more from their branding than my design yet looks more windows 97 and for some reason they want that?

By: Punta del Este Real Estate

Punta del Este Real Estate — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 15:41:21 +0000

good one!! totaly true

By: OscarPhone

OscarPhone — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 04:00:14 +0000

So let me get this straight. If you give the client what he whats/needs/desires at a price that was good for you, and you don’t think it is your best stuff because he wanted some adjustment that offended you artistic vision, you “settled”? Or conversely, you did one hell of a kick-ass job, maybe even won an award from the local Mothers Who Like Designy Things chapter, but it didn’t help the client’s bottom line one penny. But it it’s OK because you didn’t “settle”. You didn’t bastardize your vision? Oy.

adberg @ 47 is plugged in to reality. This is commercial art and you “settle” every day. I’ve been freelancing for 30 years now and your job as a designer is to discern your client’s wants & needs, merge that with his market/demographics and budget and create from that base. All clients need advice and it is your job as a pro to give it to them. It’s part of your service, that’s what they pay for but they don’t have to take it. But you can’t beat them over the head. If nothing else it’s rude and presumptuous. If you’re good it looks great they make more money and call you back.

Some of the best work I’ve done has been balls to the wall, no screwin’ around. You don’t have time to think so your design teachings and talents run on auto (like they should really). They make money. You make money. You please the masses with a thoughtfully done piece. Everybody wins.

Now *that* is design.

But clients can be difficult too. I’ll never forget the guy who, after a half hour logo presentation and price quote, pulled a business card from his wallet with a dreadful little bug on it and said: “See this? My 14 year old niece did this in 15 minutes!” Sometimes you just give them what they want, move on, and don’t take it personally.

By: ben

ben — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 23:05:53 +0000

Well this is a very to the point article thank you for taking the time to write it – I totally agree with clients missing the point on logos and even the whole website design. . . . Who ever said the customer is always right

By: Nathski

Nathski — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:52:31 +0000

Great article
I think these are lessons that we all learn in our design careers.
One key skill is having the ability to recognise and admit that your’e producing less that perfect work. Its as important as having the confidence to stand by your design decisions and explain to the client why you aren’t going to “make the logo bigger” or build “an animated intro to the site?” (remember those!)