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8 Annoying Things That Clients Say to Graphic Designers – Part 1

Posted in: Inspiration • Saturday, February 13th, 2010 at 5:00pm • 85 Appreciated Comments →

things clients say

I am approached by clients on a daily basis for graphic design work. Many are professional, but some are not. Below is a start to a new collection of things clients say, which are frustrating, yet slightly humorous.

  1. CLIENT: “This project should be pretty easy if you know what your are doing.”
  2. CLIENT: “I need a full scale CMS website. The specifications are attached for all of the pages.  We can afford $100. There’s not much of a budget but it could be a great portfolio piece.”
  3. CLIENT: “Why isn’t the site #1 on Google yet?”
  4. CLIENT: ”I showed the designs to my wife, and she doesn’t seem very interested. The target demographic is women 35-50, so we really need to work on this.”
  5. CLIENT: “I’ve attached an image of [insert ->some absurd picture stolen from a search engine]. Can you just blow this up and make it our logo at the top?”
  6. CLIENT: “We need a website and the budget is $XXX.ME: “Ok, that seems feasible. Go ahead and send over your specifications for your brand identity and logo files.CLIENT: “Oh, we need you to create the logo too. It’s part of the project.”ME: “No thanks.”
  7. CLIENT: “I need a logo. The budget is $20. All of the rights belong to me.”The client is being a impossible to please. Requests everything to be revised just so they can see as many options as possible and not pay for the time.
  8. CLIENT: “We really need the website up today.”

I’m looking to expand the list so feel free to post suggestions in the comment thread. Thanks!

Also, there was such a great response from the visitors that  I’ve decided to post part two as a list of reader suggestions. Check out, “Annoying Things That Clients Say to Graphic Designers Pt2- Reader Submissions.“

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  • http://www.blakemccreary.com Blake McCreary

    haha. Send them to Lowe's to get paint matches.

  • http://www.blakemccreary.com Blake McCreary

    I'm glad we can relate on some level my friend. It seems that most designers live the same life.

  • http://www.blakemccreary.com Blake McCreary

    Since everyone is enjoying this post so much I am definitely going to add more or make a part 2. Something about designing word will definitely go in there.

  • http://www.blakemccreary.com Blake McCreary

    haha. Send them to Lowe's to get paint matches.

  • http://www.blakemccreary.com Blake McCreary

    I'm glad we can relate on some level my friend. It seems that most designers live the same life.

  • http://www.blakemccreary.com Blake McCreary

    Since everyone is enjoying this post so much I am definitely going to add more or make a part 2. Something about designing in Word will definitely go in there.

  • http://josephalessio.com/ Joseph Alessio

    You know, clients can be interesting! I wonder what clients think of the designers! It's probably a mutual dislike. ;)

    Joseph's latest blog post: DesignShack Guest Post

  • http://josephalessio.com/ Joseph Alessio

    You know, clients can be interesting! I wonder what clients think of the designers! It's probably a mutual dislike. ;)

    Joseph's latest blog post: DesignShack Guest Post

  • dyansutton

    I have been in the business for over 15 years and have heard all of them. It was a good laugh, the challenge is how to handle these clients, not lose them and still make money. I have worked twice as many hours for clients like these than I have quoted. Always tell myself I have learned a hard lesson-till I get in the situation again!!!
    Especially relate to the one, “my wife didn't like it” Next it will be my hamster didn't do cart wheels!

  • dyansutton

    I have been in the business for over 15 years and have heard all of them. It was a good laugh, the challenge is how to handle these clients, not lose them and still make money. I have worked twice as many hours for clients like these than I have quoted. Always tell myself I have learned a hard lesson-till I get in the situation again!!!
    Especially relate to the one, “my wife didn't like it” Next it will be my hamster didn't do cart wheels!

  • http://www.blakemccreary.com Blake McCreary

    This is very true. Some of these clients simply need thrown out the window (figuratively of course), but others can be handled in such a way that you can gain some respect and add value to your work.

  • http://www.blakemccreary.com Blake McCreary

    Great idea. I'll keep that in mind for the future.

  • http://www.blakemccreary.com Blake McCreary

    This is very true. Some of these clients simply need thrown out the window (figuratively of course), but others can be handled in such a way that you can gain some respect and add value to your work.

  • http://www.blakemccreary.com Blake McCreary

    Great idea. I'll keep that in mind for the future.

  • Shauna

    “Do I have to wait until the 50 page website is complete? Can't you just put it up as you do it, a page at a time?”

  • Shauna

    “Do I really have to wait until you have all 50 pages of the website complete? Can't you just upload a page at a time?

  • Shauna

    “Do I have to wait until the 50 page website is complete? Can't you just put it up as you do it, a page at a time?”

  • Shauna

    “Do I really have to wait until you have all 50 pages of the website complete? Can't you just upload a page at a time?

  • mermaidsue

    When is Part 2?

  • mermaidsue

    When is Part 2?

  • http://jon-draws.com/ Jon White

    Working for a small printer, I heard too many of these! Here are a couple of personal favorites:

    - “Can you make the logo bigger? I paid a lot of money for that logo, and I want to make sure everyone sees it”.

    - (From one of our sales reps): “Hey, someone sent a response card back to me from that sales brochure you designed. What should I do with it?”

    - (Standard company tour excerpt): “This is our graphics department. This is the only department that uses Macs.” (God's honest truth, that was from the CEO!)

    I have many many many more, if you need to be depressed.

  • http://jon-draws.com/ Jon White

    Working for a small printer, I heard too many of these! Here are a couple of personal favorites:

    - “Can you make the logo bigger? I paid a lot of money for that logo, and I want to make sure everyone sees it”.

    - (From one of our sales reps): “Hey, someone sent a response card back to me from that sales brochure you designed. What should I do with it?”

    - (Standard company tour excerpt): “This is our graphics department. This is the only department that uses Macs.” (God's honest truth, that was from the CEO!)

    I have many many many more, if you need to be depressed.

  • Pingback: Annoying Things That Clients Say to Graphic Designers Pt2- Reader Submissions | Blake McCreary Design

  • dieverdog

    Here's another one:
    Client (reviewing a proof): I don't like it, I'm not sure why. It lacks something. Can you re-do it?
    Designer: What exactly don't you like about it?
    Client: I don't really know, but I'm sure you'll come up with something.

  • dieverdog

    Oooh – that one really makes me cringe – and I have heard that one a few times…. Shudder!

  • dieverdog

    Here's another one:
    Client (reviewing a proof): I don't like it, I'm not sure why. It lacks something. Can you re-do it?
    Designer: What exactly don't you like about it?
    Client: I don't really know, but I'm sure you'll come up with something.

  • dieverdog

    Oooh – that one really makes me cringe – and I have heard that one a few times…. Shudder!

  • Webme1

    CLIENT “Can't you just design it and I'll tell you the things I don't like”.

  • http://www.webme1.com Webme1

    CLIENT “Can't you just design it and I'll tell you the things I don't like”.

  • Pingback: Annoying Things That Clients Say to Graphic Designers Pt2- Reader Submissions | Blake McCreary Freelance Designer

  • Riddhipparikh

    ohhhh i totally agree on this 1.. have faced similar problems

  • http://www.pixelmack.com Jmack

    How about this first time client:

    Client: The check is in the mail, but I really really need the files right NOW.
    Me: Sorry, I need to receive the final payment before I can release the final files
    Client: How dare you question my integrity – give me the ******* files now or no future work!
    Me: sorry you feel that way, but that is why you signed the Engagement Agreement
    Client: Fine, the ******* check will be sent out tomorrow, we’re done after this
    Me: …

    BTW, great site, I stumbled across it while searching how to promote a design blog

  • http://www.aldrichdesign.com Dave Aldrich

    Another gem… the ad agency where I once worked… we had a very open (abused) policy of allowing clients to come in and “work” over our shoulders, giving us “art direction.” Chills are running down my spine just recalling this.

    Me: “How’s this Tom?”

    Tom the client: “Can you move that line up a scosche?”

    Me (wishing I could have said): “Sure thing, Tom, and I can move my foot up your behind a scosche or two as well.”

  • Anonymous
    • http://www.blakemccreary.com Blake McCreary

      Yes, I’ve been to this site before and its quite an extensive list. I don’t think I would go this far haha.

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