Questions tagged [client-relations]
Questions about dealing with clients, what to expect, demand, wish for, and better communication.
319
questions
9
votes
2
answers
4k
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What should I do when you find out a client went to another designer to change the finished design?
My client seemed happy with my final design for a set of labels for supplements.
Honestly, I felt a little rushed at the end of the final edits.
We were trying to figure out how to portray the flavors ...
2
votes
3
answers
75
views
How do I charge for editing client work?
A regular client operates a restaurant and I’ve designed ads for them.
Often these ads need tweaking: promotions, sale etc. How do I best determine a way to charge them?
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0
votes
3
answers
115
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Freelance design contract offer - Regarding the "ownership of work product" - what is really owned?
I am relatively new to working in design, based in the UK, currently freelancing and have been working with one company in particular (also UK based) for many months now. They have recently suggested ...
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8
votes
13
answers
3k
views
How can I do graphic design work for free?
I'm a graphic designer and illustrator. I enjoy doing these things. Nobody is hiring. I want to do it anyway. I've been posting ads all over various platforms advertising free art and graphic design ...
- 115
1
vote
1
answer
50
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What are the ways to present an unfinished software / WWW to a client while making it obvious it is work in progress?
Sometimes I would like to present some work and indicate clearly - this is work in progress - waiting for the final designs - but you can already test the functionality.
1st thoughts - pink comic sans ...
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4
votes
3
answers
387
views
Wireframing and copywriting, what comes first?
I feel like this is a chicken-vs-egg problem.
Can you assume the client will have all the copy ready by the time you start the wireframe? Or does the client need to see the wireframe first so he/she ...
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19
votes
7
answers
10k
views
Annoying client asks for “all original files” months after project completion
A client has been a real nuisance in making unreasonable demands, and has been really rude on top of that. After completing the project and receiving the payment, he attempted to come back to me ...
5
votes
1
answer
82
views
Should you point out errors in existing content to clients?
I realize this is subjective in nature and more opinion-based perhaps. I'm seeking "best practices" from experienced designers.
Hired to create a piece for a client using similar copy to ...
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0
votes
3
answers
68
views
What should I do if packaging design client promises to pay only when he receives the sample prints from his vendor? [closed]
I am working on a packaging design project. I have already delivered the print ready files to the client and to the vendor hired by the client for the printing. However the client is promising me to ...
0
votes
2
answers
77
views
Contract Writing and Pricing
I am trying to figure out how to write a contract for a design service, and make sure my pricing is fair. Any help would be greatly appreciated have no idea where to start with the contract. I have ...
0
votes
0
answers
23
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Should a business testimonial advertisement without any contact information be used "as is" in a publication?
A testimonial advertisement was provided by a business (for their own endorsement) in a publication. Traditionally, print advertisements may need some sort of visual contact information to be included ...
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12
votes
3
answers
3k
views
I have a job for a graphics designer, but I want to see their ideas first
I have a 20 page brochure which needs a layout. It appears that the overall cost for a graphics designer to do the job is about $1000. However, I want to see a designer's ideas before I pay $1000. So ...
- 413
15
votes
6
answers
3k
views
The concept of adding useless features in preparation for manager review
I cannot remember where I came accross the following concept, nor the name of that concept. Maybe you could help me.
The concept is about a trick of consciously adding a useless/bad feature to a ...
- 153
10
votes
6
answers
1k
views
Layperson friendly software or filetype for editable/formatted form?
I'm designing a sales flyer for a client, that needs to be contain editable text and image boxes, while maintaining the integrity of the layout I've designed.
The client does not have any Adobe ...
- 111
1
vote
1
answer
55
views
Would I provide client with an initial comp for magazine design?
I am new to freelance design and would love some advice on how to deal with a magazine design project. I will be designing a magazine for a client. Would I provide them with some kind of initial comp ...
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4
votes
5
answers
1k
views
Freelance graphic design - who sends the proofs?
I am a freelance graphic artist. I deal with a print broker. He has clients that he needs proofs for for print projects. I set up the proofs. Is it my responsibility as a rule to send the proofs to ...
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-3
votes
1
answer
144
views
how much should I pay my graphic designers for clothing? [closed]
I have 2 graphic designers working for me right now, one a senior level, and the other is at amateur level. WE'RE currently paying per design by a fixed cost and commission. The senior graphic ...
2
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Can my employer own my personal work made outside of work hours
I have just been offered an interview for my first Graphic Design job outside of commissions and college, but I had a quick question about ownership rights for artwork. In my spare time, I create ...
- 123
0
votes
1
answer
61
views
How can I get remote clients to approve colours without sending them prints?
A remote client needs to approve of some colours I chose.
I am wondering if there are any new solutions to this problem that doesn’t involve sending prints in the post?
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2
votes
0
answers
83
views
Corporate Webdesign Manual?
For the Corporate Identity / Brand, there is usually a manual. It is a great deliverable for the client and for me as a student, it is a great way to learn about webdesign.
While there are many ...
- 250
0
votes
0
answers
124
views
How much will it cost to create 3 completely different InDesign 24 pages Report Templates?
My client asked for a quote to create 3 different A4 InDesign templates with different page layouts, font families, colour palette, chapter separation styles, all the heading and paragraph styles set ...
- 1
16
votes
4
answers
3k
views
Not fond of time related pricing - what's a better way?
I'm still struggling with pricing. How does one best calculate flat rates for commercial design or illustration work?
I don't like the hourly rate thing. I just can't seem to properly gauge the amount ...
- 161
8
votes
2
answers
262
views
Should Graphic Designers be paid for reprints of past work?
Seeking "best practices" from experienced designers....
A design is completed for a direct mail sales piece.
The piece is printed, mailed, and used by the client.
The project is paid for ...
- 205k
1
vote
0
answers
65
views
Will users be turned off by a long all-caps URL?
I'm designing a QR code to link to a long URL (beyond my control). I noticed that I can convert all the letters in the URL to uppercase, allowing me to take advantage of QR codes' alphanumeric mode to ...
- 113
4
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Client requesting source files to all design drafts and to all versions throughout the process
I started logo and packaging design a year ago. The client warned me they would be complicated and would demand many changes - however, I believed with my skills (and love for the product) we would ...
- 41
24
votes
8
answers
5k
views
What is the best way to convince clients to send original image files instead of screenshots of images?
Some clients send screenshots of images instead of the image file. Is there a reliable way to communicate that it would be easier for them, and for us, if they simply sent the image file instead?
I ...
- 335
1
vote
3
answers
1k
views
What version of Adobe Illustrator do I need to downsave my files to (for customers) in order for all versions to be compatible?
I am busy designing illustrations in Adobe Illustrator for a customer, and they have kindly asked me to save my illustrator files so it is compatible with all versions, and they don't run into any ...
- 11
8
votes
2
answers
146
views
What's the most efficient way to have a client to describe their brand personality?
When working for clients, it's important to understand what brand personality they want to convey in their designs.
Do they want fun, young, and energetic designs?
How about a rough, masculine, ...
- 181
4
votes
2
answers
240
views
How to extract a client's logo expectations
I have a several years experience doing visual identity design. I primarily do them for companies from small startups to mid-size businesses.
I have been paid by a friend who used my services for ...
- 267
0
votes
0
answers
144
views
Am I allowed to use company work in my portfolio? [duplicate]
This was one of my first clients. I want to use the work I've done to market myself as a designer & marketer but I'm afraid of legal backlash for using company information.
Here's the catch, ...
- 1
2
votes
1
answer
542
views
Is it a reputational risk to clients to use Eric Gill's typography in the era of #metoo? [closed]
For good or ill, we live in an era where there is a general atmosphere against historical figures of reprehensible character, including in art.
Eric Gill was a brilliant typographer and sculpture, but ...
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5
votes
1
answer
190
views
Client wants to use my designs on multiple websites - Do I charge extra?
I'm a freelancing screen designer and a client (a small agency) asked me, if I could design a landing page template which they can use on multiple clients websites from the same niche (real estate).
...
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1
vote
2
answers
441
views
How should I make my retainer contract fair for me and the client? How do retainer agreements usually work?
Theyre kind of a big corporation with multiple brands. They had a full time offer for me but I said I can't do it since their office is too far so I opted for their part-time option. Now they have ...
- 27
3
votes
2
answers
87
views
How to distinguish between graphic design proposals
I received a number of Web design proposals for a project I'm working on. Most of the proposals are extraordinarily generic; the only thing that I, as a non-design person can easily distinguish ...
- 387
12
votes
5
answers
4k
views
Should you offer multiple logo design options to the client or just one final design?
When designing a logo for a client, do you offer multiple options, so 3 different logos for example? Or do you offer just 1? How do you price for these?
- 309
10
votes
2
answers
1k
views
When to tell long-term client I'm retiring within the next year
For fiteen years I've been designing a quarterly forty-page publication (print & online) and numerous other smaller projects for a small city. Now I'm planning to retire in the next six to twelve ...
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30
votes
7
answers
7k
views
I am a client and my work is being delegated without informing me
I am a client who posted on Linkedin a request if somebody would be interested in designing a thesis cover for me. I had a few responses and decided to go with a person who offered me the following (...
- 403
2
votes
1
answer
236
views
How to handle rejection from a client and would you bill for work not used? [duplicate]
Would you bill a client even if they end up not using your work? A client of mine had initially liked and chosen one of my designs but then a friend of their friend offered something different that ...
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4
votes
2
answers
925
views
How to determine whether logo design will require illustrative skills [closed]
A new potential client has reached out to me to design a logo that features a mascot. This mascot would need to poised in different positions and needs to be animated. Does this sound more like a job ...
- 71
-1
votes
1
answer
199
views
scaling a large image down in indesign, ant-aliasing issues?
I'm creating art for a zine run by fellow art students, they want an a3 image despite planning on planning to just scale that image down to a5 on InDesign to print as an a5 booklet. They have no ...
0
votes
1
answer
170
views
How should I handle a client who is asking me to copy? [duplicate]
A company has approached me to design t-shirts. They want me to incorporate some famous band's picture as well as their logo...but I know they are asking me to copy.
If you have ever faced a similar ...
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4
votes
3
answers
139
views
Turning down a job while leaving the door open for future work?
Would love some tips on how to turn down a project while still leaving the door open for future work with a client.
Background - This potential client saw an annual report I created for a nonprofit ...
- 63
2
votes
2
answers
519
views
Is volunteering my time as a graphic designer for charities a viable way to get some client-facing experience?
I realise that working for free would change the relationship between me and a client compared to paid work, but the end result (a quality design that helps the client make money and improve their ...
- 212
1
vote
3
answers
3k
views
How to retain color in a client's logo when changing from rgb to cmyk
I am working on a project for a client and got a logo from them in pdf & png format, but they are both rgb.
The logo is a bright blue and when I try to change it to cmyk for print the color ...
- 21
2
votes
4
answers
233
views
How can I convince a group that a logo does not need to literally represent the function(s) of the organization?
I could for example show a logo, say the Fedex logo, and note that it doesn't have a truck, an airplane, or a delivery person in it.
What else? What arguments can I make?
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24
votes
7
answers
10k
views
Is the graphic designer asking too much of me as a customer?
I contacted a design team to redo my company's website (small company, <100 employees, in the construction industry, been around for about 30 years). The graphic designer told me that I need to ...
- 387
1
vote
3
answers
93
views
Client made drastic changes after we finalized, what should I put in my portfolio?
So I worked with a community service type of client for pretty cheap last summer and created a really gorgeous design for a mobile shower they rolled out this last fall. They have since changed my ...
- 19
5
votes
3
answers
1k
views
Are graphic designers required to print things for clients?
I'd like to start doing design work but I always get caught up on this question...
If I design something for a client, am I also required to handle the print work?
0
votes
3
answers
183
views
Overwhelmed by too much design! [closed]
Been watching and reading a lot on how to be more creative with graphic design and have been doing the things suggested (mood boards, sketching, learning new software and a degree in graphic design, ...
11
votes
3
answers
3k
views
Should I be charging for the social media versions of designs?
I'm designing A1 posters with a Facebook header and Instagram post version of each poster.
I'm charging hourly for the posters, but should I also be charging for the time it takes to design the ...
- 111