Illustration courtesy Britt Irick
The editorial staff of FullBleed this month kicked-off a new series called “Three” by asking ADCMW members three questions that typically confront us as creatives. The answers we receive are then compiled and published individually over consecutive weeks. This is the first of three questions we asked for August. Check out what several local creatives had to say, then share your own insight via the comments below!
We want to know: how do you combat the slippery slope of endless design “tweaks” and feedback?
We set milestone dates and only implement changes given to us before the date. We encourage feedback and bill by the hour for additional changes. Our goal is to develop an effective piece, a happy client, repeat business and referrals.
I don’t stop them because there is not way to do so with some clients– or with web design jobs. It’s just something we have to deal with.
When you’re awarded a job, create a work agreement/contract that states there are three rounds of revisions and anything beyond that will cost extra and push back the delivery date. Also, have a production schedule that gives the client time goals to deliver copy, feedback, and approvals. The production schedule keeps everyone honest and organized. It also supports the designers if things go wrong and legal action is needed.
Have a set number of rounds of edits before you start the project.
Ask the client what business or organizational goals are being addressed with the requested changes. Sometimes it just takes a more objective-level question to nudge someone to take a step back and keep perspective of why we’re all here — rather than to fixate on pixels or minor color choices.
I typically hide under my desk whenever those pesky project managers/client calls come sniffin’ around. If they discover me cowering in fear, the first thing to gauge is the reasoning behind the tweak. If you’ve done your proper job as a designer, everything has a business-backed purpose. The ability to communicate WHY you’ve designed is nearly as important as your ability TO design.
