Welcome to the Graphic Designer Survival Guide, where we’ve all dealt with those clients—the ones that make you question every career decision you’ve ever made. Sure, we love our clients (we really do!), but sometimes their requests are… well, let’s just say they’re the stuff of legend.
Grab your coffee, sit back, and let’s dive into the seven deadly sins of clients every graphic designer knows all too well.
1. Can You Make the Logo Bigger?
Ah yes, the classic “bigger is always better” mentality. Your carefully crafted layout? Ruined. The balance of negative space? Destroyed. All because the logo apparently needs to scream at the audience like a toddler demanding attention at a family dinner.
Survival Tip: Politely explain that design isn’t about loudness but about communication. Sometimes, less is more. Or, you know, just make the logo big enough to fit on the moon. Whatever works.
2. I Need It Yesterday
Oh sure, let me just hop into my time machine and get that done for you. No big deal. Who needs sleep or weekends, right? The absurd timelines some clients request are nothing short of a Marvel superhero mission.
Survival Tip: Learn the art of the sigh. Then, outline realistic timeframes and gently remind clients that rushing can lead to mistakes. A beautiful project needs time to shine.
3. Can You Copy This Design I Found on Pinterest?
Plagiarism? Never heard of it. Some clients seem to think graphic design is the same as printing out a picture from the internet and slapping their logo on it. But no, we didn’t spend years mastering our craft to become professional copiers.
Survival Tip: Instead of outright refusing, explain that inspiration is good—but your expertise is in creating something unique. You’re not a machine, you’re an artist!
4. I Don’t Know What I Want, But I’ll Know It When I See It
This one’s a fun little riddle designers love to solve! It’s like being told to hit a bullseye while blindfolded in a windstorm. Spoiler: You won’t ever hit it because it doesn’t exist.
Survival Tip: Ask lots of clarifying questions upfront. Try to pin down a style or aesthetic, and provide mood boards to guide the conversation before things go totally off the rails.
5. Can You Just Whip Something Up? It’s Super Simple!
Simple? You mean like making a soufflé from scratch while juggling chainsaws? Sure! Because every designer knows that the word simple is code for ridiculously complicated.
Survival Tip: Gently remind clients that “simple” in design often takes just as much—if not more—time and expertise to execute well. Explain that their vision deserves careful attention to detail.
6. Can You Do It for Free? It’ll Be Great Exposure!
Oh, the exposure card. Because we all know exposure pays the rent, right? Some clients think that dangling the promise of “future work” will magically make up for the hours of work and talent they’re asking for—at no cost.
Survival Tip: Exposure is a myth, and you can’t pay your bills with “likes.” Be firm with your pricing and remind them that good design is worth paying for.
7. Can You Try Every Single Color and Font Combination Possible?
Ah, the perpetual revision cycle. This sin is notorious for dragging out a project well beyond its deadline, with endless requests to “see how it looks in teal” or “try Comic Sans just for fun”. No. Just… no.
Survival Tip: Set clear revision limits at the start of the project. Make sure your contract includes a clause for extra charges after a certain number of revisions.
And there you have it—The 7 Deadly Sins of Clients. But hey, it’s all part of the job, right? For every “logo bigger” request, there’s a wonderful client who lets you create magic. So, here’s to surviving the chaos, one design at a time.
Stay strong, fellow designers!
What’s the most outrageous client request you’ve ever gotten? Drop your stories in the comments below and let’s laugh (and cry) together! #DesignerLife #FreelancerProblems