Quote:
Originally posted by eroswebmaster
LOL I get this so often to questions like..."what exactly are you needing?"
"I don't know, just work your magic!."
This the beginning of a communication breakdown that will ultimately lead to you as the client being unhappy with the finished product more often than not.
Designers...or gallery makers..banner makers etc. We are there to translate your vision from though to reality.
It is not our vision you want, my vision will more than likely differ from yours.
So what's the point?
If you wish to contract a new designer/gallerymaker etc. Sit down and really think out what it is exactly you are wanting.
What is it you sell.
What ideas, thoughts, statements are you trying to convey.
What colors work best on your site, what fonts, what text?
Give this all to whoever it is you decide to work with and I guarantee you in the end you'll be much more happier than if the designer just worked his/her magic.
|
so very true... and I've said this same thing for years.
But.... the hard truth is alot of them really
don't know what they want, and it then falls on you to try and extract as much information as you can, information that they may not be able to think of themselves or even regard as important to the project, (because you are the expert, not them) and use it to "work the magic"..... or as we designers like to call it, "build a composition that fits exactly into the clients strategy and purpose for needing the site in the first place".
I have found that if you grill them for too many technical/incidental details like fonts and shadows, etc.... you will only end up with a frustrated client that is convinced you can't think for yourself and need someone to hold your hand every step of the way.
So,
you're function should not be to read their mind about every detail, but to squeeze a general basic idea and plan out of them and think up the rest yourself, keeping the client's best interests in mind throughout the project.
They're function should be to be able and willing to give you that basic idea, and be available for questions you may need answered along the way. If someone is extraordinarily particular about controlling every last detail, they will do that from the start. They will tell you they want 12 point Arial at the top saying "Bitches that fuck like beasts!". They will tell you they want Periwinkle Blue. So, with the exception of the occasional control freak, yes..... "working the magic" actually does fall on you.