60
votes
Accepted
Is it frowned upon as a designer if you don't use "top" software?
Originally written in 2014. Non-Adobe apps have since taken a larger foothold on the industry. Still no comparison in terms of overall usage, but the smaller apps are far more prolific in 2021 than ...
- 200k
37
votes
Accepted
Client wants me to teach them InDesign
I include a disclaimer when delivering native files:
.... makes no promise, provides no guarantee, and offers no support, for the continued use, alteration, or editing of native files after files ...
- 200k
37
votes
Is it normal practice to screen share with a client?
This kind of depends upon who you ask.
Here.... it would never be an option.
Much the same way I do not work with a client standing behind me "dictating changes". There is no feasible reason why a ...
- 200k
36
votes
Accepted
I am a client and my work is being delegated without informing me
This sounds exactly like the person you don't want to work with.
A concept within 24 hours, unlimited revisions and payment at the end before receiving the final files.
Red flag already. That's ...
- 13k
32
votes
Accepted
Methods for improving color choice and combinations?
This might not answer your question completely, but as part of my workflow, I use this technique sometimes.
When trying to pick a colour palette (at the very beginning of the creative process), I try ...
- 8,118
29
votes
Is it normal practice to screen share with a client?
I've been in and out of the graphic design world over several decades, and have also spent a lot of time in both technical writing / illustration and architectural design & 3D modeling - in all ...
- 9,666
25
votes
I am a client and my work is being delegated without informing me
I am going to hate every word of this as I type it, but type it I must. Statement - I do not sub-contract my own work!
Subcontracting exists in all areas of business
I think it's more complicated ...
- 8,448
23
votes
Accepted
How to tell my boss his webdesign attempts are bad/hopeless?
You could start by describing what in particular you don't like about this design. Don't get me wrong, I don't really like it either, but I've noticed that you haven't written anything about why you ...
- 1,447
19
votes
Accepted
How to fit a vertical headshot into a horizontal frame
#3. Get your client to see the benefits of a proper photoshoot
After years of doing your #1 i finally managed to introduce an updated design for my clients' company profile, website and corporate ...
- 27.8k
17
votes
Accepted
Is there an advantage to doing a full image mock-up versus diving straight into writing the HTML/CSS?
The benefit of constructing full page mockups is the division of labor.
In larger companies which have both a designer and a (front end) developer, the job of the designer is to design and the job of ...
- 13k
16
votes
Methods for improving color choice and combinations?
This actually sounds like a question more about creativity and getting out of a comfort-zone than about technique but I will answer the technical side.
How do you determine what colors work well ...
- 851
15
votes
What are some of the benefits of having a Mac vs a Windows PC in a design environment?
*Disclaimer: I've been a Mac user for more than 20 years and still use a Mac daily. That being posted, I have clearly seen Windows close the gap in the areas where Apple was the frontrunner and the ...
- 200k
14
votes
Accepted
How to guide an employee to improve his graphic design ablilties?
So it seems to me like you've spotted someone who has great potential, but that potential is not currently fitting your needs completely and you need to partly delegate his training. I can understand ...
- 8,435
13
votes
Does using Dreamweaver help to produce better aesthetic designs than hardcoding HTML and CSS?
Dreamweaver does not make you a better designer.
In the end, Dreamweaver is merely a tool and like any tool, you may or may not find it useful, but it never improves one's own aesthetic sense of ...
- 200k
13
votes
How can a popular free site with minimal budget obtain quality UI/UX design support?
On your home page put a big ad:
Do you really like this web site? Want to help make it better? I'm looking for a UI/UX designer to collaborate with to make this project better. I wish I could pay ...
- 49.9k
12
votes
Is it frowned upon as a designer if you don't use "top" software?
I firmly believe that, in this area at least, as long as your final work has a solid base in planification and reasoning, there is no right or wrong when it comes to software.
To be honest, it doesn'...
- 514
12
votes
Accepted
How far (and how often) in the process do you let a client see a work in progress?
If you're an artist, I don't think you should show them a WIP at all. If it's not up for debate, do not show it to your client. Show them the final work and then maybe give them an option to suggest ...
- 2,706
12
votes
Accepted
How do big design companies share art files
At my current workplace we use a version control system. To be exact, we use Git + Bitbucket with the LFS (Large File Storage) extension. We also use a graphical diff plugin that lets us see a quick ...
- 236
11
votes
Accepted
Recommended practice to improve illustrating skills?
Practice, practice, and more practice is the overall message here. But it must be meaningful. When I say that I mean setting achievable goals either on a daily basis or weekly (draw one icon, draw one ...
- 1,031
11
votes
Is it normal practice to screen share with a client?
Since I like playing devil's advocate, I'll elaborate on situations where I think that kind of request would make sense.
(spoiler: there aren't many)
You have a client who has shown to be respectful ...
- 8,435
11
votes
I am a client and my work is being delegated without informing me
Taking an honest look at things.... Implying there's some sense of "wrongdoing" would be inappropriate in most instances. Although I can see how the perceived lack of transparency might cause some ...
- 200k
11
votes
Should you offer multiple logo design options to the client or just one final design?
I agree in the main with Lucian's approach, but will add this thought:
I will often provide three (3) early directions in sketching, and have the client make a definitive choice - they sign off on ...
- 9,666
10
votes
Accepted
What are strategies for implementing drawing tablet into workflow?
First, there's no right or wrong way to set things up. It really all comes down to what you prefer. And it may take a few weeks to discover what works best for you.
I often tell new tablet users to ...
- 200k
10
votes
Methods for improving color choice and combinations?
When I pick a color palette I narrow my selection to a max of 3-5 colors but I expand on those colors. For example, I usually run a script in Illustrator that will allow me to place each color in its ...
- 18.3k
10
votes
Client wants me to teach them InDesign
I did that for a client once.
We spent 2-3 hours discussing some basic InDesign editing with about 10-12 of their staff in a meeting room at their office location. It was a one-time workshop and we ...
- 27.8k
10
votes
How do big design companies share art files
"Many projects with many files all uploaded by humans on one server
will get messy, by definition."
Not necessarily. I freelanced for a while in a food packaging studio that had other studios ...
- 8,435
10
votes
Is it normal practice to screen share with a client?
I don't think it's "normal", although there are probably designers who do it.
When deadlines have been tight, I've collaborated with clients over the phone while sharing static images with them at ...
- 76.2k
10
votes
Accepted
How can I ensure consistency in web design?
Can you teach consistency? Yes. That's what the internship is for.
Design is not something that requires talent to perform well; with enough practice your intern can become a great designer. Keep ...
- 7,871
10
votes
What is your backup strategy?
It's relevant I think, but I'm not entirely sure it's on-topic for "design". I suppose it's no more off-topic than "what font is this".
Note I'm not in a corporate environment. I'...
- 200k
10
votes
Can this geometric shape be created in Illustrator?
It's not so easy to do this in Illustrator without doing some manual operations or tweaks. Scott has covered possible ways in another answer he linked to and Joojaa has provided another possible ...
- 76.2k
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