Simply put: We depend on clients to hire us and to pay us. (I think employers can be considered clients as well) Still, we tend to comment on them as the evil element in our industry. We refer to them as dumb, stupid, uneducated. Clients can amaze in their reaction — both in good or bad ways. A client’s participation makes for all the difference in the work we get and produce. Potentially, great projects can become duds with the wrong clients connected to them and on the other hand, projects that seem to be merely bread and butter jobs might turn into great assignments because clients can help elevate them to that level.
A few days ago I had a meeting with an architectural firm. I presented work to them for the second time. I felt pretty good about the work that I was bringing along, which was based on good input I had received from them during the first presentation. Sure enough, the presentation was a success. I left the meeting thinking that all presentations should go that well.
The reason why it went so well was simple: Client participation.
Not only was the client available to answer questions we submitted during a research phase, but further, was very much involved in the initial presentation and offered much more than the generic: “all of these are very interesting directions.” One of the guys in the meeting, a senior architect, gave me an initial gut reaction, then he went on to analyze, reference to art and design movements, architectural elements and recent world events. He pulled out books and showed references of what the work reminded him of, and he commented on what he considered the pros and cons as they applied to the project. He was not only extremely well versed in art and design history, but he also knew how to explain his thought process.
Looking back, it became clear to me, that during the first review of concepts, he became a true team-member and his input was very much reflected in the second presentation. I believe that if my refinements would have failed to deliver, both myself the designer, but also him, the client, we both would not have done our jobs. Obviously, we cannot expect that every client can provide as much as this client did, but still, an experience as such gives fuel to the argument that you should actively go out and pick your clients, rather than letting them pick you.
I agree... but sometimes, a client can be too involved in a bad way. If I put my foot down too much, I might lose the project, but for goodness sake, the most recent wanted to use "BrushScript" - - just frustrating.
I envy you, I would very much like a "team player"/"team effort"!!
On Mar.25.2004 at 12:14 PM