The lesson clients need to learn

this is by far the most true thing that has ever been posted on this site. i could not agree more.

We used to take pride in the fact that we could offer all 3 on any given project. We're staffed by a tight group of freelancers and usually work from a budget.

I say we "used" to offer all 3. Sure it may be possible, but generally, the clients who are looking for "Good, Fast, Cheap" will always ask for better, faster and cheaper and usually aren't very loyal.

These days we strive for excellence every time, on time and under budget.

that is absolute genius. I think I'm going post this in our art department

true, so very true.

Nice blog by the way!

it's called marketing 101, you can apply this is pretty much anything: food, cars, women, etc...

Women??? Are you serious? :D

The "girlfriend" equivalent of the rule is "Sane. Sexy. Smart. Pick any two." For "boyfriend", substitute "Nice".

You should see how sales guys try to manipulate and change this diagram to suit their needs. It highlights the difference in thinking between creatives and sales, and their difficulty in understanding each other as well.

The trick is getting the client to feel that he is getting something good, fast and at a good price. The way this is translated is by a good salesperson. The other trick is reminding sales people that they can't promise the moon for the price of a bit of dirt. :)

Couldn't agree more...!

Hey Rich! That's awesome! :) Great minds think alike! ;)

If someone would ask me to do a job fast and cheap I would tell that same person to pack his bags. If I won't get the time to do a good job it is not worth doing! Cheap is allright, but fast... not a chance. You can do great graphics on a budget... but not in a hurry!

Ragnar Freyr
www.onrushdesign.com
www.icelandicnationalteam.com

Yep, I liked this when I heard it on The L Word the other week too. Your diagram is nicer than the one she drew though, of course :)

I googled up "L word", but I think this show is only available in the US. Is that like a reality show?

I agree, however i think Time/Quality/Price are better terms.

Oh yes. So right, bright and straight at it. I´m gonna build this in a papier-maché model and always bring it with me - so I can flip it during meetings with clients :)

Thanks!

Sorry, all 3 are possible and the client is always right. Step up or get out of the game

Hey, it's that attitude that has designers undercutting each other for jobs and is keeping designers from making the wages they deserve.

You want to slave away for $10/hr for the rest of your career? Maybe you should 'get out of the game' that you don't value and go work at McDonald's instead. Don't be the design equivalent of fast food, it does us all a disservice.

I've heard this many times before (without the graphic - nice) but I think honestly, I have to say, I disagree.

this has to be one of the most informative posts ive seen on this site. i have seen similar points made but none summed up as well as yours well done.

Maybe 'Fast' should be substituted with the word 'Now'.

Fast implies you're going to do 6 hours of work in 2 hours - in fact what you're saying is that you're willing to put work aside to do it.

Conversely, it implies that by choosing 'Good' and 'Cheap', that you'll spend 10 hours doing 8 hours work.

I can do it 'Now'
I can do it 'Good' (sic)
I can do it 'Cheap'
Choose two of the three.

By far the best description of the problem I've seen in a long time. It's now firmly nailed to my office wall for all project managers to see. ;)

By the way.. L word is also shown here in Sweden...

*prints and hangs on wall*

Thanks, it's an old saying but it looks so much better in this graphic. Now maybe people will get it!