How far should you go to please a client?

Well, that depends on you. Ask yourself a couple of questions. Are you frustrated with the client? If so, is it because you under-quoted the job? Or is it because the client is difficult and doesn't like the work you are producing?

If the client doesn't like the work you are producing you have a couple of options. The first one is to cut ties with the client. You can't please everyone and not all companies are going to fall over themselves and think you and your work is spectacular. If you are a super-sensitive person and can't handle any rejection or negative critique, then design is the wrong career for you sweetie.

On the other hand, if you are frustrated because the client wants more for their money and you feel that you under quoted the project... well, then chalk this one up to a learning experience and do all you can to make this client happy. We all know how hard it is to bill for design services. Time billing is extremely difficult and clients often times do not realize the value of our time. It is your job to make sure your clients realize your value and charge accordingly.

I've heard many a song and dance about the designer that is frustrated with a client. Hey, I've been there too. Numerous times. But the client has hired you for a specific purpose and it is your job as the creative to educate and produce the work the client needs. Even if it means producing work that will not be appearing in any design magazine, except for the features on what not to do. We all have to realize that we are working with someone else, even those of us that run our own studios.

I recently picked up a new client that didn't like my first two sketches for a postcard. Learning to put your personal feelings aside will help a great deal in these situations. It's not a personal critique of you as a person, it really is just business. Once you learn to separate these two sides, you will live a more peaceful and fulfilling life. Of course, there will be clients that you won't be able to work with. Ones that cause you more time and headaches than any amount of money they could pay you.

I'm sort of preaching to myself here. I've been guilty in the past of getting my feelings hurt because someone rejected a design that I produced. Probably because I feel very attached to my work. I actually had a professor try to teach us to not get so attached to work we produced when I was in school. That was the one thing that I took away from my design classes that I think of each day and has been the greatest challenge in my career. It's a process, just as life itself is a process.

Keep your mind open and think before you speak. You'll be alright. Take your time and do it right and I bet you will be surprised with the results.

I've included the first sketch above (that was promptly rejected) that will be make it into my recycle and reuse files. The concept for the postcard was to create a neighborhood mailer (in this case a postcard) that is pointing out that this alternative health care clinic will be open during major highway construction.