Dear Client: This Book Will Teach You How to Get What You Want from Creative People by designer/activist Bonnie Siegler contains industry best practices and insights for clients who want to foster better relationships with designers, leading to more successful projects. 

To ensure a smooth and successful collaboration, I respectfully require that clients do two things to begin, informed by this expertise:

1. Watch Bonnie Siegler’s Adobe MAX talk - or if time is especially short, my shortened version with particularly key tips, and

2. Read the Best Practices below, which will be included in the basic contract that clients sign. Ask questions!

Best Practices:

• Please be open about budgets, timelines, priorities, and any internal roadblocks - this will help me provide you with the best possible result. If anything changes mid-project—like a delay—just let me know!

• Most designers use Adobe programs for polished, professional results, meaning client-side editability is usually limited at best. If that’s a concern, it’s something we should talk about early so we can find the best solution for your needs.

• Designers prefer working with a single point person trusted to make decisions on behalf of stakeholders, rather than someone trying to survey and satisfy the preferences of multiple people with different levels of expertise and project familiarity. The point person also ideally bundles project assets, input, and feedback (even if it takes longer) rather than sending piecemeal communications.

• As the client, you know what needs to be communicated; I’m here to guide the how, including design aspects that may initially seem minor or unexpected. Share feedback tied to goals, rather than specifying a particular design solution. And don’t forget, the closer you are to the project and the topic, the harder it is to see things objectively and serve the needs of the audience. I’m here to help!

  Thanks! Let’s do amazing work together!