Seriously, I’m not going to lie to you. “You” in this case being the potential client. When I first started out working as a web designer I ended up a company that was not a great fit (for me). When I was younger, I lacked the ability to know when something wasn’t right and the confidence to leave. I did eventually leave to attend graduate school at Maryland Institute College of Art (‘holla MICA readers). Luckily, my experience with that not-so-right-company didn’t scar me for life or anything.
I have a problem with any company that over-prices clients and tacks on extras just because they can. For example, this particular company would (and probably still does) bill clients for additional web hosting plans if the client had several websites/micro-sites as opposed to utilizing one hosting plan for multiple sites. Of course there are times when multiple hosting plans might be needed, but that’s never what I witnessed. I left that company with a bad taste in my mouth, but committed to never do things like THAT.
Yesterday I was on the phone with a potential client who frankly couldn’t afford a custom website at this stage in the game. I informed her of a few open source and FREE options that are out there and could provide her with exactly what she needs to get started. Does this make me any money? Of course not! I offered to work with her on an hourly basis to set everything up and integrate some basic customization (ie. custom banner graphic, color scheme, etc). I am interested in developing relationships with clients based on my work and my work ethic.
I like to think that if this particular potential client has the funds for a custom website in a year or so that she would hire me above all others. I am not going to bank on that happening, but wouldn’t it be nice?
*What’s the deal with that image? Well, I’m glad you asked. The above photograph was a part of a series I worked on while an undergraduate at Tyler School of Art of Temple University. I thought it was a good fit for this post. What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments area!
Working with friends is always a blast! The website for Fiber Ink Studio just got a pixel-crazy, new design. Fiber Ink Studio is co-owned and co-managed by my good friends Lesly Deschler Canossi and Andrew Buckland. The couple lives in New York City with their adorable baby daughter Noa. Fiber Ink creates beautiful small- and large-format digital prints for a wide variety of clients including photographers and illustrators.
In 2009, I worked with Andrew and Lesly on developing the identity and branding for Fiber Ink Studio. We recently launched the redesigned website which includes their custom logo integrated into a more sleek overall look. I LOVE working with color and the printing duo let me do my thang playing off the CMYK inks (cyan, magenta, yellow and black for you non-dorky people). Ever wonder why the “K” in CMYK stands for black? Read all about it here. Thanks Wikipedia!
Not to brag (too much), but a few of my images from Ravensbruck, Germany are featured in Fiber Ink Studio’s portfolio of clients. Andrew and Lesly know their stuff and that’s why so many professional artists are seeking out Fiber Ink Studio for high-quality, archival prints. Both Andrew and Lesly are active artists and I’ve included images from their individual bodies of work below.
Image courtesy of Andrew Buckland
Image courtesy of Lesly Deschler Canossi
Parents, printers and photographers – gotta love that these two are doing it all. Check out Fiber Ink Studio on Facebook and Twitter!
If I build it (with proper search engine optimization), the users will come!
I was on the phone with a potential new client the other day talking her through how we will begin her website design project. I suggested that she create an outline for her new website including individual pages and jotting down some ideas for what kind of content would be on the pages. I encouraged her to start thinking about how the website might be navigated, what sort of content might be featured on the home page and how a visitor will find their way to more detailed information.
She stopped me, insisting that she had “no idea about this stuff.” Another client recently mentioned being “terrible with the artsy stuff.” I don’t expect a non-designer to understand the in’s and out’s of designing and building a website. I’ve got plenty of geeky, CSS-obsessed friends to talk with about that stuff on Facebook. While I’m not surprised by these reactions, I must insist that we all know what we like when we see it. Actually, we’re probably even more aware of the things we DON’T like!
There’s a gut reaction to what we like and what we don’t like. What is missing is the technical and/or aesthetic language to communicate these feelings. But all hope is not lost for the “non-artists” of the world! (Also, please do not be offended by this “non-artist” title, it’s much better than being called “artsy-fartsy” by your third cousin who wants you to take photographs of her newborn.)
When getting to know a client’s style, I first ask that they send me links to logos, packaging, posters, websites – just about anything visual that they respond to positively! Understanding someone’s individual style gives me a pretty good idea of where to begin a project. Meeting with a client face-to-face is invaluable, but not always possible. I’ve occasionally asked out-of-town clients where they shop for clothes because that can convey a ton of information.
So relax…. you know more than you think! Find a designer or an agency that feels right. It is the designer’s job to create an environment in which your ideas are realized visually.