Diplomacy in design

Clients. Indecisive, irrational, quick to quibble over the tiniest detail - they're a difficult bunch to please. Whether it's dealing with personality clashes or sheer obstinacy, troublesome clients can manage to ruin a project and sap the last of your energy reserves.

For the most part, clients want the same things as you: an attractive design to best showcase their product or message. But when things turn ugly, getting back on track can prove tricky. If you're struggling to communicate with your paymasters, then it's time to assess your options.

  • Make a plan. Before you start, arrange between you who will tackle each part of the project. Compare work schedules - it's futile giving the brunt of the work to the busiest designer.
  • Be honest. If you're not too hot on a particular skill, say so. Don't volunteer for the difficult bits if you're going to hold the rest of the team up.
  • No hogging. Make sure that you don't snaffle all the cushy jobs either. Your colleagues might resent this. You need to compromise, and try to share out the workload as evenly as possible.
  • Be inclusive. If someone does throw a hissy fit, be professional. Solve the problem as quickly as you can, and if necessary have a quick one-on-one to calm things down.
  • End on a high note. When the work is finally complete, make sure you give each team member the credit they deserve. Nobody enjoys feeling unappreciated.

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The Creative Bloq team is made up of a group of art and design enthusiasts, and has changed and evolved since Creative Bloq began back in 2012. The current website team consists of eight full-time members of staff: Editor Georgia Coggan, Deputy Editor Rosie Hilder, Ecommerce Editor Beren Neale, Senior News Editor Daniel Piper, Editor, Digital Art and 3D Ian Dean, Tech Reviews Editor Erlingur Einarsson, Ecommerce Writer Beth Nicholls and Staff Writer Natalie Fear, as well as a roster of freelancers from around the world. The ImagineFX magazine team also pitch in, ensuring that content from leading digital art publication ImagineFX is represented on Creative Bloq.