Graphic design clients are often influenced by people close to them, and rightfully so. It’s no surprise that clients may say things such as “my wife wants the background blue,” because most people take advice from their friends and family. For graphic designers, this can become a problem… especially when the advice of these people goes against their design sense. When this situation arises, it’s important to respect the client’s feedback but also address it appropriately so the project turns out as best as possible. A client’s friend or family member is likely to have an opinion, but since they are not design professionals that opinion may not serve the client’s best interest.
If a client says to you “my (insert family member here) says it should look like this,” your first reaction may be to tell them that you’re the designer, not their family member. This, however, will only anger a client and not do anything to help the situation. Instead, listen to the suggestion, and if you do not agree with it, explain why. Talk to the client about how each of your design decisions are deliberate and aimed at improving the project, reaching the client’s customers and delivering the message. You can then explain how the client’s suggestions could negatively affect those decisions. Of course there will always be clients that insist, but once they see you have their best interests in mind many will accept your design direction. Approaching each design disagreement this way will also improve your client-designer relationship and, hopefully, have them start to look to you for the expert opinion rather than their friends and family.
