A client asked me the other day if being a good designer is something you are born with or is it learned. It was a very lovely conversation that I love having. Of course, you are born with it. Anyone can learn the skill, and it's getting much easier now with prepared templates and graphics everywhere. But a designer's eye will catch what you miss.
It's hard to say what will catch everyone's eye because now everyone can be their own designer. We have access to so many free templates and software, that we forget designers are trained to do this and have years of experience. Plus they design while they are sleeping, eating waking, etc. We observe the world around us in a symmetrical sense and apply this perspective to all our creative endeavors.
And, in an age where EVERYONE has a style and/or opinion, their attitudes land with a very entitled perspective. Trying to maintain a professional perspective is the way to approach any situation, as they are the client with the budget and money to spend. But it leads to an "I know what looks better than you." response to many many many jobs I do. Sadly half of the work I do, will not end up in my portfolio for that very reason.
This week alone, I have had two clients come to me that wanted a 'redesign' from hiring someone that didn't know what they are doing, so that's a huge bonus having clients that know you can 'fix it'. But is that my target market? NOt a huge moneymaker but fun to see happy clients no matter where you get them from.
Thankfully, I am pulling in clients during COVID life that are starting fresh in an online business, or putting their current business on a digital platform. Its blissfully forced me to rethink my own presentation, and I will be hiring out to have a 'designer' do that for me, because just like the cobblers kids who have no shoes, I consistently put my website on the back burner.
This COVID life has awoken me to my flaws in business, my assets, and my needs. I have come to learn that when presenting yourself as a designer to new clients, you cherry-pick a limited portfolio that reflects the specific clients 'outlook'. This seems to sell better than blanketing all your work in front of them. It also allows them to feel a more streamlined approach to working with you.
So, be wary of your boundaries, know what you can and can not offer before saying yes, and have some really finite boundaries on your time! As designers, we all get lost in the design process, because it is so fun, and sometimes this fun leads to ideas for other projects, but you don't want to be left overworking yourself, and losing some clients that are willing to allow you to be the boss.
What we know is a valuable asset. What we sell is a vision. What others gain from our work is an Audience. Make sure the ticket price fits the amount of sweat you put into it.
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