Keeping A Balance Between The Designer And The Client

Make sure supply matches demand With all of the excitement that can precede the start of a brand new project, it's very easy for many designers and clients to jump right into a project before properly screening one another. There are few things more awkward than an enthusiastic client's realization that their client's work isn't even in the same ball park as what they were looking looking for in terms of style.

To prevent this unfortunate scenario, it is absolutely essential that the client is able to see a sample of the designer's work, and confirm that it's in-sync with their vision, before even thinking about starting a new job with them.


Establish a schedule 

Designers and clients will only be able to work together well if they're awake to read each other's urgent messages promptly. It seems like an awfully obvious thing to take note of, but it's all too easy for clients and designers to overlook the reality of potential time zone differences and weekend plans.
The designer and the client's lives will both be made many times easier if there's an established window of hours during the day that the designer will be working on the project in.


Confirm compensation 

In addition to the designer making a promise of when they'll be able to provide their services, the client needs to show some credibility when it comes to compensating the client for their work.
Every client-designer relationship has a different model of payment verification, but generally speaking, an escrow service is the securest way to go about it. The client can provide proof of being able to afford the work, without needing to actually commit money that they have no chance of getting back.


Keep everything in writing 

Sometimes, a hectic schedule (or selective memory) can make people recall things that were never actually stated. To save the entire project from getting dismantled over a misunderstanding of the terms, make sure that absolutely every term has been outlined in a written contract. Keeping all of the terms in contractual form will serve as a concrete point of reference that ensures neither the client nor the designer will forget the fine print of the project.


Ensure regular updates 

Even if the designer's skills match what the client is hoping to see in the final stage, it's essential that the designer give frequent updates. Oftentimes, a successful project requires just as much time spent breaking down and tweaking the piece as there is conceptualizing it; this can only happen if both the client and designer are present for the entire process.

If the client and the designer both desire it, regular updates can be implemented into a secure payment model that follows the progression of the project itself. The rough initial phase, the quarter-stage, halfway-point, and penultimate phase should all be presented to the client before any progress is made past them. This level of micromanagement can be demanding, but it's the best way to guarantee a final piece that both parties are proud of.

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