A client treats me like a tool - advice?
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- AdamWintle0
Today I explained the design someone else had already made had lots of room for improvement, I suggested what could be changed. In reply they said my ideas were wrong because I didn't know their target audience and I wasn't in that age group. They said they know the audience more than me because they are the same age as them and I am 30 years younger.
So that's the card they play with most design decisions, "they just know better", what can I say back to that?
I said the user could be different from them and we should do some user research and make some user personas, but they didn't want to spend extra time researching some facts.
Pretty tricky, right?
- prophetone0
then build it, get paid, move on
- vaxorcist0
I once had a CD who taught me to learn how to deal with very, very oppositional people with no taste......
Strongly advocate the opposite of what you want, and wait for them to contradict you,... once they think they've come up with the right idea, which is obviously the opposite of what you said, it can be approved.
i.e.
you say "Wow, that logo REALLY, REALLY has to be BIGGER!!!!"
they say "Now that you say that, I think it should be very small and discreet"
- ahli0
Its actually very tricky being a designer and developer.
I can wear both hats, and have found it very frustrating at times, often I'm brought in to "just build it ffs" so that's what I do, any design advice/opinions are ignored.
Its good that you care, but if they want you to build it, just do the build get paid and move on. Don't take things so personal. As for this guy, that's a hard one to deal with!
- fair point! if a plumber who is also an interior decorator came to fix a leek, then gave advice on your living room, I be like :OHombre_Lobo
- hans_glib0
if you've offered to look at the design and they have said no thanks, then just leave it at that and just build the thing. if you continue to bitch and moan about it then they'll think you're a pain to work with. remember, a client always gets the work they deserve...
- d_rek0
Command respect - don't ask for it.
Be an expert - not merely a professional.
Go for the jugular -drink their blood.
- toodee0
Do as Hans_glib says.
It sounds shit but if you're a freelancer you're hired to fit in and get the job done. I wouldn't want a freelancer contradicting me the whole time.
Sometimes people will want to hear you expert opinion, sometimes they just want you to do a specific task.
- feel0
Well, in the end of the day you're a director's tool, if you don't have a good director the work will not be great. So be less...hmm... how do i say it in english... like care less about the quality of your work.
I mean, some works will be awesome and will end up on your portfolio, others will just suck but will pay your bills, and that how it goes, even if you're famous designer and have worked for many cool clients.
So don't take this treatment you're having as a constant, have different clients, try to convince them about your ideas, and be aware that your ideas are not always the best, have in mind that there is two clients: the agency that is contracting you and the client it self.
You have to work more like a Mr. Wolf, you solve problems fast and thats it..
my 2 cents ;)
- vaxorcist0
reading the original post, it seems they'd rather have it done than done right, and they don't have time to think about it.... it's probably already been approved and there's no room for changes at this point...
if you disagree, and can't stand this situation, leave.... or just do it...
....or, in the case of designers/programmers so often experience, have a hard time telling them that it's not just an opinion, but the design has some sort of "can't get there from here" fundamental flaw, and we have to really re-think this.... even if nobody wants to....
- Amicus0
If you have a rational, logical argument that you can discuss without emotion, great.
If not, purchase balaclava, wear it, follow them home, cut their hamstrings, remove their tongues and crush their fingers. Leave a couple of throwing stars embedded in the wall so the Ninjas take the blame.
- Beeswax0
If you are a cardigan wearing guy with skinny jeans and hipster glasses those dinosaurs will not take you serious. Wear a suit, put on a heavy cologne, wax your hair, carry a leather suitcase and talk loud, laugh loud, try to act like a douchebag rather than a helpful design nerd.
- formed0
Some clients just won't listen. There isn't a "logic" that you can apply, whether you are right or wrong.
The person with the money controls the project (and the world, for that matter). You can choose to play and take the money, and appreciate clients that dont' have their heads up their holes, or you can move on and hope that you have a better client down the road.
Do you want the money or not? That's the question.
Personally, I don't see a problem. Maybe your ego wants to provide something [better, we don't know], but it should actually save you time and make you more money. Maybe not portfolio material, but good money with less effort.
Divorce yourself from the design, let the client get what they want (and recommend you as an "easy person to work with"), or fight and lose, or walk.
Seems pretty simple to me. You'll deal with this, or worse, so many times if you are running your own business. Me, I'd take the money, nod my head when the client wants confirmations and forget the design altogether, making my life easier (and more profitable).
Save the energy and design ideals for someone that cares.
- sometimes logic does work. like using larger type for older audiences.Amicus
- BonSeff0
You can act like a man
- Amen0
listen to this guy:)
- 23kon0
like formed said, divorce yourself from the design of things and just do what they ask to keep them happy and so that you get paid.
At the same time, start looking around for another job looking for somewhere that will appreciate your creativity and opinions.
When you get offered a new job and hand in your resignation to your current position/contract, make sure that you give it to a company director rather than the guy you have a gripe with. In the letter explain that you liked the company but you had a problem with the negativity from the knob that's giving you jip.
- animatedgif0
Need the money? stay on and shit out something substandard and get out of there and never mention it again. They're not going to respect you so the work is doomed anyway.
Don't need the money? get rid.