A recent experience with a client who had rather poor communication skills that thusly affected the relationship and design process, made me realize just how important it is to have good communication. You can’t just be a yes man, you have to talk to your client and make sure you BOTH understand each other.

Can Phone

When there is a lack of communication in play, a lot of assumptions are made. And, we all know to ASSUME – makes an ASS out of U and ME. I have seen, first hand, what the lack of communication can stir up. You think you have anticipated everything your client needs then upon presentation the client is dissatisfied with the result. Each of us has our own impression of how things should look and function and it isn’t until one of us is unhappy, that things come to ahead. If we begin with each of our expectations, this can be minimized.

Ask questions

It is vitally important to communicate with your client. Don’t just be a yes man, saying you can do any or every thing that they ask. Question every thing to find out what they need and want, and ensuring that the project is up to your abilities.

Make sure you know what they want, having a sketch book with you to take notes and even some initial design ideas really works well and makes your clients feel good about the process. Sharing a lot with them during the initial design phase, helps you to know if your on the right track, and also allows for a more collaborative process.

If you don’t understand what the client wants, ask more questions. Find design work that they like, give them examples of projects similar to what there asking for, ask what they like about the designs. The more you know about them and there design tastes will better inform you on what direction to go.

Keep the Client in the Loop

The best way to communicate is to let the client know whats going on. Set a number of milestones for the project and show them to the client. Then they know how far the project is coming along if it is still on message and help spot problems early on before they turn into headaches.

If you finish your design and then show the client the completed work, then you’re going to feel a little frustrated about the numerous revisions the client is sure to have. It is best to have something a little more loose put together at first. Something hits all the points you know they want and gives them options of how the design can move ahead. Then as they give feedback you can give solutions that fulfill the clients needs in a design-minded way.

You also need to stay in contact, which a lot of people neglect… but is important. Always try to end interactions with clients weather it is by phone, email or an in-person meeting, by letting them know when they can expect to hear from you next. This just puts them at ease and eliminates any wonder. I don’t recommend stalking them, that never ends well,  but a simple “I’ll be emailing you Friday with an update” keeps them from calling you repeatedly because they might think you’ve forgotten about them.

Be Clear about Payment Terms

This is quite important. You and the client need to have this clearly stated. 99 out of 100 problems all have to do with money. The client doesn’t want to feel screwed over and nether do you.

Make sure the client knows your payment policy, and make sure you stick to your payment policy. The client should know about payments for the deposit to start the project, revisions, and completed work. If you charge for additional revisions give them a reminder before you start charging.

If both party’s know and understand the payment terms you avoid the biggest problem any designer has to face.

I encourage you to share your thoughts on the subject in the comment section.

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