There are several aspects or issues that designers tend to ignore more often when they get down to business. Sometimes forgetting certain kinds of things is a serious mistake, almost a cardinal sin, as they say in paredro, and that is why we should avoid at all costs.
Here we propose a selection of the 7 deadly sins in which a graphic designer should not fall. Do you think you commit any of them frequently?
- Be limited by the client's vision: One of the biggest problems we encounter when we work with according to what kind of clients is excessive authoritarianism on their part. There are people who want things to "be that way, period." It doesn't matter if you tell them that Comic Sans isn't appropriate, it doesn't matter if you tell them that certain color combinations don't work. For these types of clients, your knowledge seems to be irrelevant… (thank goodness that this is not the case in most cases). But when this happens, what can we do? We must try to make him understand our arguments in a peaceful way (yes, this is important) and make him trust our judgment. Having some freedom when working is essential.
- Make a project with a lack of analysis and rigor: When we work on a project we have to be clear that it is a product that in the end will satisfy some needs or deficiencies on the part of our client. For this, we need to have knowledge, data and a base schema. Inspiration is fine, but the analytical component is also very important.
- Work without brief: Synthesizing the basic needs will help us generate solutions to the questions raised. Knowing what we need and for whom we should develop it becomes essential to be able to obtain precision and efficiency. In case your client does not present one to you, you will have to develop it yourself (although this is not advisable, because in this case we usually do it at forced marches and without the care that such a document deserves).
- Without contract? Do not even think about it! Legislative issues are an important issue. Especially when doing freelance work, many designers do work for clients without an employment contract. This can only lead to misunderstandings and unwanted problems. So, you should try to have a contract that you can take advantage of on most occasions.
- Inspiration never meant copying: You have to know how to differentiate between making a copy of another work and developing a new idea based on an existing one. They are different things. Try to develop your own work and find your own style. In case you copy, you will not only devalue yourself, but you can also get into some legal mess, so be careful.
- Completely ignore the corporate identity manual: If it exists and is there, it is for something. The company has established regulations and a series of policies regarding the use of fonts and colors. These are essential elements in the development of the corporate image. Breaking with this strategy and with the harmony that has been proposed can never be good. In no case should deformations and interferences be created in the original image of our brand. You should take appropriate care at this point, only then will you create a valid and effective project according to your client.
- Believe that your client is only there to pass the bills to you: We have talked about it on more than one occasion and I will not tire of talking about it. Design has a very important human and psychological component. Trust will be a key element to be able to be faithful to the project and correspond to the needs of our client. We must try to work shoulder to shoulder, the objectives and desires must be clear, concise for us. We must ensure that our clients speak openly and clearly say what they want. In case you are not very clear about it, give him a wide range of alternatives and give him the freedom to choose where he wants to go. This will be critical to making you satisfied and therefore for us to be satisfied as well.