Whatever your business offers or whichever industry it belongs to, branding is an essential part of ensuring its success. Subsequently, having a good logo design is also important for better brand impression and retention for customers.
Since not all business owners are capable of creating their own logos, sometimes professional designers are hired to fill in the gap. But with the subjective nature of creativity in designing and the inherent authority of clients over their preferred design, how can both parties create a good designer/client relationship?
Clear Set of Rules and Conditions
Agree on a specific timeline and budget. Clients must specify exactly when they want their project to be delivered. Simultaneously, designers should also clarify the budget on which they should work on. Having a clear set of rules and conditions makes it easier for both parties to complete the project without the unnecessary hassle of misunderstandings along the way.
Clients need to properly and clearly explain on the brief what they want in their design. Designers, on the other hand, should also ask possible clarifications about the project, such as the clients’ preferred color palette and other details pertinent to the completion of the project.
Constant Communication
Admittedly, not all business owners have the time to constantly follow up with their designers. But it’s important for the designer and the client to maintain open lines of communication. It doesn’t matter if the communication is made through short phone calls or emails.
What matters more is that clients are kept in the loop of how their project is progressing. It’s important also that they are aware whether their designer is working according to plan or if specific issues are preventing them from getting the project done. At the end of the day, over-communication is better than miscommunication.
Transparency
Designers should constantly update the clients on the progress of the project. Clients should be informed of what’s keeping the designer from delivering the project on time or other resources needed for its completion.
Transparency in the designer/client relationship also includes the client’s honest feedback about the work of their designer. Yes, designing can be personal since it involves creativity of the designer, but the objective sense of doing business gives the client the right to give feedback.
Giving honest feedback gives the designer the specific points for improvement. It encourages them to do better and adjust according to the preference of the client. On the other hand, it’s also the responsibility of the client to give feedback in such a way that is professional and objective.
To make the feedback and communication process easier for both parties, clients can point out the downside of the designs. But it’s also important that they point out how the designers can improve the weak points in the design.
At the end of the day, client/designer relationship is easier to achieve when both parties know their responsibilities to the project and to each other. Always keep in mind that a good business relationship is founded on communication, collaboration, and professionalism.
