Pro Blog Design offers five great tips for working with a designer [via Freelance Folder]. In reading the comments, I am not surprised to see that the client not knowing what he wants as one of the designer’s biggest frustrations. I plead guilty. Unlike the comment, however, I spend a lot of time online and don’t use Outlook Express. In fact, Outlook isn’t even my primary e-mail application (the irony!).
I’ve always said that designing your own Web site is the hardest. In a similar manner, coming up with the best colors, slogan, and style for my business has always been a challenge. I believe it’s finally come together between the creativity of Blue Flavor and Logo Design Works.
Before working with a designer — like the article suggests — search for examples of what you like and note them. If you’re hiring for a new site design, then look at other sites and note what you like and dislike about them. For a new logo, look for logos.
Also convey how you want your business to come across upon first sight. For meryl.net, I want to make a professional yet friendly impression. In other words, this place and the business shouldn’t look and feel formal. While I conduct business in a professional manner, I also care about the client’s success and make an effort to know them beyond their business. One client flew in from Minnesota to attend a big family celebration.
Since we’re on the topic of design and making others happy — I’m concerned the right sidebar over there is too busy. Any thoughts? What do you find useful and not useful?
1 thought on “Working with Designers”
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Hey, Meryl, I’d like to comment! I ALWAYS tell clients to pick at LEAST 3 sites they like, and give specifics of why, and think of it in terms of their own design. You run the danger of having clients want to “lift” design, but so far I haven’t run into this.
I think the sidebar would be great if it were a smaller font, maybe one size down. Titles are ok, just the links. What do you think?