(Idea generated from http://www.graphicdesignblog.org/clients-choose-wrong-logo/)
"Although it is part of our job to provide ample of options and choices to our clients (this is what we are paid for) but don’t you think our suggestions are not valued? What I mean to say is that the endless instructions of our customers’ make us end with not-so- good designs. Being a designer, we better understand what kind of logo will be effective but some clients become too stubborn with their choices. Is it reasonable to slaughter our creative skills and instincts to follow our customers’ strict orders? Knowing that the irrelevant instructions by our client are leading to a disastrous design, we still pursue them. This leaves us with a BIG question mark???
1) Does your client murders your creativity skills?
Graphic Design is a field where clients are mostly influenced by people close to them and approve the final designs after consulting family and friends. It’s no surprise when a client says “my wife wants the background blue.” We are asked to make changes according to the recommendations of people who might be observing a logo so closely for the first time in their lifetime. There are many other statements you have to follow unwillingly
2) Does your frustration make you evil?
Every graphic designer believes in the term “Client is always right”. However, at times a complicated client can be frustrating, not leaving you with many options. In such circumstances your evil part overtakes and you decide to follow the clients’ instructions no matter how bad the outcome is. To avoid further hard work and argument with the client, I have seen many designers finalize an inappropriate logo design, with all evident flaws and faults.
3) How do you Deal?
We all know that chances are very few that you completely satisfy a client….he always sees a room for improvement. A client mostly does not have an idea that his required changes will leave his logo design unattractive. In such circumstances, you have two options…either you quietly make the changes according to your clients’ wish list (without warning him) or you try to explain him the faults (and gear up to prepare another series of designs)."
One of the newest experiences I have had to get used to recently is this whole working with clients thing. Before, I had only had to design something for a class or for myself, senior year has broken me from this and has put my design skills into the hands of real people who need real things designed. This transition has been difficult and at the same time easy, depending on the "client" obviously. I have two examples of this:
Recently in one of my classes I had to design a flyer for a non-profit organization. It was a flyer that was going to be used to advertise an event they were having. I created it in about 2 days with the information from the organization's website. I sent it to the client and about 2 hours later got a frantic email from her and my advising teacher, they needed some information added. No big deal really. Communication between me and the organization continued until around 10pm as I added what she needed, emailed it to her and had her email responses holding more information to be added. As it was difficult to add the amount of information she wanted, the professionalism and remarkable communication between the two of us made the process that much more less stressful for me.
On the flip side, I had to create a paid for flyer for the Graduate Office at my school, communication with the office was a little slow but I still got the design and page elements in time to create it, get it approved by them and send it to the newspaper to add it into the layout. Apparently the layout team thought it would be appropriate to change my (already approved of by the Grad. Office who paid for it)advertisement and make it something that was barely resembling the original. On my end, I did send them the Photoshop file, but on their end, they lacked in professionalism, communication and morale. This type of thing, in my opinion, is on the brink of becoming plagiarism, especially because no permission of mine or the office was asked.
I would like to know what everyone thinks about these design issues...
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
get inspired.
Today is a rainy, cold day and I don't feel like doing anything. In my 3D class we were talking about outfits that inspire room design, so I thought I'd share...
Image above from Olive Route sneak peek. Products, clockwise from top left: Chambray Shirt from the Gap, Red knee-highs from Topshop, Braided Belt from Forever 21, Striped Skirt from Anthropologie, Katherine Sturgis Friendship Bracelet, Ray Ban eyeglasses, Belle by Siegerson Morrison Shoes, Tate Modern Tote Bag, T by Alexander Wang tank top and Arielle de Pinto + Anntian Necklace available at Creatures of Comfort.
Room 2
Image above from Birds of Ohio sneak peek. Products, clockwise from top left: Embellished t-shirt from Anthropologie, Luxe Scarf from Ann Taylor, Rings from Made Her Think, Sweater vest from J.Crew, Kira Bag from Coach, Ankle Zip Jeans from J Brand, Leather Bracelets from Delia’s, and Colored flats from Jil Sander (the price is quite steep on these but Sam Edelman makes a very comparable pair)
I think these examples can play into graphic design because we, as designers, all use the same ideas when either creating a page, flyer, room, etc. Colors need to be thought about and used wisely, patterns are crucial to cohesiveness, and the layout is most important. In a room, layout involves where you want a chair to be, or what you wants your guests looking at when they are sitting that chair. In graphic design and art, layout involves where you want certain elements, whether they fit physically and aestetically and where you want the viewers eyes to go.
Image above from Olive Route sneak peek. Products, clockwise from top left: Chambray Shirt from the Gap, Red knee-highs from Topshop, Braided Belt from Forever 21, Striped Skirt from Anthropologie, Katherine Sturgis Friendship Bracelet, Ray Ban eyeglasses, Belle by Siegerson Morrison Shoes, Tate Modern Tote Bag, T by Alexander Wang tank top and Arielle de Pinto + Anntian Necklace available at Creatures of Comfort.
Room 2
Image above from Birds of Ohio sneak peek. Products, clockwise from top left: Embellished t-shirt from Anthropologie, Luxe Scarf from Ann Taylor, Rings from Made Her Think, Sweater vest from J.Crew, Kira Bag from Coach, Ankle Zip Jeans from J Brand, Leather Bracelets from Delia’s, and Colored flats from Jil Sander (the price is quite steep on these but Sam Edelman makes a very comparable pair)
I think these examples can play into graphic design because we, as designers, all use the same ideas when either creating a page, flyer, room, etc. Colors need to be thought about and used wisely, patterns are crucial to cohesiveness, and the layout is most important. In a room, layout involves where you want a chair to be, or what you wants your guests looking at when they are sitting that chair. In graphic design and art, layout involves where you want certain elements, whether they fit physically and aestetically and where you want the viewers eyes to go.
Monday, October 26, 2009
get inspired.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
welcome readers!
The purpose of getdesigned is for the relief of designer's block, for my own and other designers. Too many times we only see design work and never the face and brain behind it. Many posts will include artists that inspire me with their work and their thoughts. Up and coming design students will also be profiled along with some of the professors here at Lasell College.
get out . get inspired . get to know . get me
getdesigned
get out . get inspired . get to know . get me
getdesigned
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