I love these types of clients!
whywaitwebs (52 points) | Sat, 2008-11-01 14:35I have a client right now who I'm doing a website for. He is a pretty cool guy, and he's always given me pretty free creative reign. He usually titles mockups and stuff that he sends me "design_suggestions" and stuff like that. It's nice to always feel like I'm in charge of the design aspect, for once!
Yesterday he asked me to basically make a whole new layout for some of the pages. I explained to him that two different layouts for the same site diluted his identity, but based on his email I was guessing he wasn't going to change his mind. To my surprise, the first line of his next email was "ok, you're the boss!"
Anyway, that got me a little excited, as until now I haven't really had a client who was so willing to accept my design advice! So I was wondering, I know there are a lot of articles out there about the different "client types" -- but what proportions do you guys tend to see? One willing client to every 20 set-in-their-ways clients? :) Or what?
The majority of my clients give me full rein. Those who tether me don't get my best work. I'm not being arrogant, just honest.
And yes, you have to love the clients that let you do your thing.
"Without deviation from the norm, progress is not possible."
— Frank Zappa
"Art -- the one achievement of Man which has made the long trip up from all fours seem well advised." - James Thurber
I use the 80/20 rule for clients. 80% are controlling pains and 20% are awesome and let you do what you do (because that's what they're paying you for and they know it).
You are lucky enough to have a 20%er for a client. :)
Most of the time you have to convince, cajole, and wrangle with clients to get them to see that what they want and what is consistent (ie. good design) are two different things.
Tell your client you've set up a "master page" (even if you haven't) which means if all the pages are consistent it costs less. Having different page designs is wasteful and confusing to the band and message, as you have so correctly stated.
Enjoy this client; he/she is the rare 20% variety. :)
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Natobasso
dirtandrust.com
"Powerpoint is not a design application"
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The Salon Design Tech
My favorite line ever was, "you know what a like", said by a female client of my husband's.
It would be great to hear how you've built up the relationship with this client as, clearly, you are doing something very right!
Has the client always taken your advice and worked with you as a partner, or did you work to get to this stage?
Dude, I'm jealous! I could use a little of that client's attitude right now.
Mara