If you’ve ever worked with a designer or been on the designing end, you may see that the process can be a grueling one — especially if you don’t know what you want.

We’ve come up with a process at our company that weeds out 90% of the graphic issues but when the 10% happens, we have a process that is easily followed to achieve maximum results.

The key in having graphics done is to communicate, very clearly, what you want or need.  This post will help illustrate how you can get your clients to explain to you what they want in a much clearer way.

Here is an example:

Bad Way to Request Design Work

Dear Graphic Designer,

I need a header done for my website.  I’d like it clean but sassy.  Professional yet not uptight.  Bold yet girlie.  Sophisticated yet conventional.  I like purples, blues, greys, greens and golds.

I want a stock photo of a woman holding a typewriter or maybe a man jogging to his destination.  I would like some curves around the edges but want to portray a 3D effect too.

I guess, what I need is for you to come up with something based on that and then I’ll decide.

Undecided in Graphic Land

Good Way to Request Design Work

Dear Graphic Designer,

I need a header done for my website.  Here is the site template so you can get an idea of the dimensions: URL GOES HERE.

Here is a stock photo I found at www.stockxpert.com which conveys the type of look I’d like in the header:  http://www.stockxpert.com/browse_image/view/46586501

Based on that, I used www.colorschemer.com to generate the following color palette: http://bit.ly/14rDWQ.  I like the dull set versus the bright set.

I’ve also drawn up a sample of what I’m thinking it could look like.  I just did this in Microsoft Paint so mind the graphics but at least it will give you a sample layout.

Text on the graphic should read: TEXT GOES HERE.

Thank you!

Happy Client, Happy Team

When Your Client Doesn’t Know What They Want

If your clients are not sure of what they might want for their design, the key is to have them do some research and get a feel for things that they like.  Force your clients to get specific.  Ask them to provide you with:

• Samples of other work they’ve seen that they like
• Stock photos that they like
• Color palettes that they want to use
• An actual drawing (hand drawing or a Microsoft Paint / Photoshop drawing)

Be prepared to have many, many conversations with your client if they don’t know what you want.  They more specific you can get before starting designs will help prevent you from pulling your hair out (and losing money on quoted services).

When Your Client Doesn’t Really Care What They Get

Yes, these people exist!  I’m actually one of them myself!

When your clients don’t really care what they get and they want you, the designer, to take full creative control, ask them to provide your guidelines and then work your magic.  This will provide your client with some fresh perspective on what they may not have thought of before!

All in all, be kind and work through the process with your client – as frustrating as it can get at times.  There’s a lot of awesomeness that can come out of the graphic work!