Design Business Clients: Communication & Management

Dealing with clients and managing their expectations along the way can often be the most frustrating part of design projects. Seasoned experts share advice for setting expectations with your clients, dealing with difficult situations, balancing creative control with client needs, and creating an experience that will make them recommend you for future design jobs. Dig in below and learn how to curate healthier relationships with clients from the start.

Do You Suck at Selling Your Ideas?

Posted on July 25, 2011 by Sam Harrison

Phenomenal ideas, like that for the Dyson vacuum cleaner, are sometimes the hardest ideas to sell. Take tips from James Dyson on selling your next big idea to decision makers. More

The Empathic Designer: 5 Tips for Better Collaborative Relationships

Posted on July 13, 2011 by David Holston

Design success is as often as much the result of the quality of the relationships formed with clients, as it is the quality of the design. David Holston, author of “The Strategic Designer,” offers 5 tips for better collaborative design relationships with clients. More

Categories: Design Business & The Industry of Design, Design Business Clients: Communication & Management, Design Business: Industry Issues & Advice, Featured, On the Job: Advice & Tips for Designers | Tags: client relations, clients, collaboration, creativity tips, design strategy | 1 Comment

Confidence, the client’s aphrodisiac

Posted on July 12, 2011 by Seth Erickson

Being the optimistic entrepreneur that I am, I approached this CEO.
I explained to him that I had some ideas that could really improve the UX (user experience) of his site. He politely declined and told me that their focus was in a different area at the time. I explained that even if their focus was in another area, my expertise could help customer retention since happy customers are always good for the bottom line. He again explained that they knew that some things needed to be overhauled on the site but it still isn’t their focus right now. So what did I do? Continue reading → More

Categories: Design Business Clients: Communication & Management | Tags: client relations, Designers, self promotion | Comments Off

Should you cut your fee in half?

Posted on June 22, 2011 by Ilise Benun

A small design firm was asked by a long-time client to design a piece that would be presented at a reception at the White House. He gave his price, but the client asked him to cut the fee in half. What would you do? Continue reading → More

Categories: Design Business Clients: Communication & Management | Tags: client relations, Designers, pricing | Comments Off

2 Arguments for Hiring a Copywriter

Posted on June 21, 2011 by Luke Mysse

Having good copy is as important as having good design. It’s something that we as designers should bring to the table when we can because it shows we are more than just pixel pushers. We are helping the client grow their business and that makes us harder to replace than some online service. Continue reading → More

Categories: Design Business Clients: Communication & Management | Tags: client relations, collaboration, Designers | Comments Off

Breakfast Roundtable Topics at CFC

Posted on June 17, 2011 by Ilise Benun

There is no shortage of networking at the Creative Freelancer Conference (next week!). On Friday morning, June 24 , join us for an hour of moderated but free-flowing discussions (with breakfast!) around hot topics of interest. (That’s right after our 6-7 AM Netwalking — plenty of time to shower and change.) Here ‘s the incredible line up… Continue reading → More

Categories: Design Business Clients: Communication & Management | Tags: client relations, Designers, networking | Comments Off

5 Questions Every Designer Should Ask Their Clients

Posted on May 2, 2011 by David Holston

Boost a design project’s success rate from the start by determining solutions to problems. To do so, read these 5 questions every designer should ask their clients. More