You Know Whats Really Fucking Annoying?

When you tell a designer that you want a specific site designing and, the first sample they send you is nothing like what you wanted... Not even in the right niche design wise.

Then, when you ask them to make changes, all they do is throw a couple of different 'pics' over the same part of the design that needed changing without even bothering to remove the faulty stuff.

Worst of all though, telling them that you need a design to be ready for a certain date because you have a deadline to stick to and that date comes and goes without hearing anything back.

Sorry, just had to vent im going crazy here with one guy right now who, unless he cant get shit fixed withi 24 hours, probably isnt going to get paid and will go running to the boards how i stiffed him.

Regards,

Lee

Working with designers is one of the biggest challenges in the business. A few years ago my designer was my bf. You don't know how many times we fought over foolish shit. There are some easy ones to work with out there. When you find one stick with him and treat him good.

i've gone through this a lot, with big design companies, small design companies and individual designers. and you would not BELIEVE how specific my instructions regarding color, text, things to avoid, which pics to use, are. i've many times received designs in green or yellow - that despite the fact that i am always very specific about avoiding green or yellow except for small details on the site.

good luck with your latest designer issue and i hope you get through it!

When we originally were getting ready to redesign Boyfunk, we were seriously considering a well known design firm that is part of a much larger gay media company based in California.

We decided to try working with them on a logo project first, so we could get used to each other. Their price was about 4 times what some other designers had quoted us, but we figured, based on their reputation, that it would be worth it.

Wrong, wrong, wrong.

We gave them very detailed notes on what we wanted in the logo... the feelings we were trying to evoke, some logos (non-adult) that we liked, and some things we DIDN'T like.

They fucked around for a week past when they were supposed to deliver the logo (we were on a tight timeline) and did nothing, then came back with a logo consisting of a yellow traffic sign with two bucks fucking (gay bucks... get it?) This was funny, but not even remotely close to what we'd asked for.

We bitched and complained, gave them an even MORE detailed description, and in the second round, got back exactly what we told them we DIDN'T want (a G and a B in a circle... how revolutionary.)

We tried communicating for the third round, and were told that they'd "used up all the time allocated to the project." They took our deposit, sent us the (useless) rejected art, and told us, in so many words, to go away.

We wrote a nice letter explaining the communication problems and asking for a reasonable resolution, and were completely and totally ignored.

That little $400 endeavor cost that design firm about $30,000. That is what we were prepared to spend over the next year in design fees for the various projects we had.

Instead of paying them $800 for a crappy logo, we worked with a gifted college student who came up with the concept, and then had our regular designer finish it out. The whole job cost under $200. (not including the $400 deposit the first designer refused to refund.)

If I hadn't been through it before and didn't know how to communicate with designers, I would have blamed myself. But they had an insane amount of written information to go on, and they simply chose to ignore it.

For some reason, a lot of these graphic designers don't get the idea that the CLIENT is the one paying the bill and therefore gets to decide what s/he wants.

Boyfunk sounds like they pushed your around by creating something stupid, just to dump you for being 'picky' and pocket your $400

Graphic Design is and has been my life for the past 35 years or so. As creative director for some of the BIGGEST firms in the country, Saul Bass, Bright & Associates, Chiat/Day Advertising, Landor, and having been an active team member on some of the most recognized identity programs out there...you can take my advice with a grain of salt but…

I can only say this...

Always make certain the you (the client) has seen examples of the designers' work. Make certain that they have cross disciplinary skills such as layout, 3-D, etc, and are not limited to "logos" only. (demonstrates broader thinking which is good for other applications of your "logo" down the road. (hate that word,logo, it is incorrectly used).

Make clear: deadlines, requirements for work-in-progress sketches, background reference, competitive trademarks, etc. and a clear idea of end use for the mark or signature....to give the designer a complete picture of what you are up against in the marketplace.

The challenge is there. Clearly, most every designer "borrows" "steals" and "takes" form other established looks to come up with new directions. Problem is evident and that is why, in my view, the internet is full of what I call "copy cat" looks and feel elements (another subject)

Also, if there is anything that you as a client absolutely hate, let the designer know up front... so that you aren't shown a multitude of purple, polka dot logos...

Many "designers" on the "net" have had no experience other than buying a program and taking tutorials…and have no clue as to what they are doing. A good designer not only has experience and reputation but has most likely either apprenticed with an "name designer or firm" or has graduated with a BFA or both or better. Hopefully, their work has been published.

Pay your bills when they are due and everyone on the team should gain trust....also, remember that even though we live in a "virtual world" this does not necessarily mean that a good new trademark can be developed overnight.

And of course, the "gay porn world" - a world that I have only been part of over the past 5-6 years, operates from a completely different set of rules… when one imposes the "bitchy queen aspects" of tempers flaring, etc…and the "He's hot, I wonder if I can get into his pants after the meeting" attitude that many people operate under...no offense to anyone on this board of course, none of us have worked together - yet!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by boyfunk

That little $400 endeavor cost that design firm about $30,000. That is what we were prepared to spend over the next year in design fees for the various projects we had.

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I'd say you won or came out ahead: it was not a $400 mistake but rather an exchange - you paid some knob $400 to tell you what company to stay away from!
Better than a $30k mistake.
(Yah I know, stating the obvious, but I like to look at these little lesson from a positive angle.)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by boyfunk

For some reason, a lot of these graphic designers don't get the idea that the CLIENT is the one paying the bill and therefore gets to decide what s/he wants.

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I agree, and I'd like to add propeller-heads ('coders')!
We had a crew of in-house designers (5 employees) and coders (6 employees) so I understand the frustration.
Reminded me of being in playschool with a bunch of kids, but there was only one toy.

Wah wah wah wah wah ...

get another boyfriend..err..designer! , someone more focused on you!

sincerely ~ ..."if you answer your cell phone while we are having dinner , i will excuse myself to use the restroom and never return"... :goof:

I have experience on client and designer sides both. What I can say is that every side has big problems they have to face when the ordre is being placed. Sometimes clients make it all too detailed (make it red, place it 2 pixels above and add yellow marks etc.) but for designers it's obvious that most of that details will result in aweful design. On the other hand designers just may have neither clue nor interest to find what their client needs. They do not care if it won't bring any results to the client (sales, retentions whatsoever). Another point - one client will be happy with the result while this type of work wouldnt satisfy other client. Some clients are just psychos :D Some designers are too :uhoh: :D What I personally think is:
look at the portfolio, speak to your designer before you place the order, ask for some ideas and be sure you like his style in general.
Work-in-progress sketches as mentioned above is VERY important too.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lee

When you tell a designer that you want a specific site designing and, the first sample they send you is nothing like what you wanted... Not even in the right niche design wise.

Then, when you ask them to make changes, all they do is throw a couple of different 'pics' over the same part of the design that needed changing without even bothering to remove the faulty stuff.

Worst of all though, telling them that you need a design to be ready for a certain date because you have a deadline to stick to and that date comes and goes without hearing anything back.

Sorry, just had to vent im going crazy here with one guy right now who, unless he cant get shit fixed withi 24 hours, probably isnt going to get paid and will go running to the boards how i stiffed him.

Regards,

Lee

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Lee,

We must of had the same designer. I dealt with that shit and then fired him.