CLIENTS FROM HELL: How To Deal With Graphic Design Clients

Dealing with clients in graphic design can be tough.
Working for friends and family has given me headaches, and I remember my first web design clients being super pushy. But in the end, that's normal when you are starting out.
Listen to what I've had to go through, so you learn how to deal with graphic design clients.
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Thanks for watching the video CLIENTS FROM HELL: How To Deal With Graphic Design Clients

[@AFMCarlos]

The worst is when you find out early that the clients is difficult to handle but you're already onboard, spend the whole project not wanting to do anything and trying to get rid of him.

[@DavidTaylorChesterWebDesign]

Please see my comment and respond

[@oregolelefinger]

🥲I'm on the same boat . How do I fire them 😭

[@1deplatt]

When a client pays me in full, I give them the files, but I also stipulate in my contract that I can use the work in a portfolio setting

[@kaysarhesse8317]

in simple words: Don't work with someone you know closely . Always end bad .

[@status-fp3ex]

I have not got my payment by my first order

[@abcdefu3198]

Just got my first freelance project and it’s not the worst but just did all this work just to find out he’s looking for something a bit different so Now I officially know that freelance is definitely not for me and I’m not doing any side projects unless I know it’s my style/area of design they’re looking for. We can’t do everything as designers and that’s what makes us unique.

[@Darkbulb1]

Id love to hear more about how to deal with Clients telling you what to do aka trying to design/direct it themselves

[@SayJee]

Client from Hell: Make us a 3D representation of Biblical Stories. Ran: Yes

[@MyDigitalHub]

Client from Hell Level 9999: We're looking to hire a graphic designer... who's knowledgeable with ALL THE TOOLS, knows Digital Marketing, How to edit website, post to social media 3x a week, send email blasts, and can wear multiple hats 👒😉. The budget is THIS LOW.

[@harmonioussteak]

This makes me want to stop being a graphic designer - I’ve been doing it for over a decade now and burnt out from those jobs!

[@whiskyo]

You are entitled to your opinion regarding clients owing your working files. I disagree however, and part of the problem with our industry is that marketers and business owners who are not in our industry perpetuate this narrative. I think most of us designer are cowards; we avoid difficult discussions and sales. Who owns My Files and Concepts is stated in my contract and we discuss before agreeing to work together. If they do not accept my terms... they have the right to move along. And you have to distinguish the different types of clients. If a client is paying you or your firm millions of dollars, and they ask for the working files, go ahead and give if you want. But... most designers are underpaid and are not making that kind of money - let alone a profit. They should be making thousands of dollars on a project and instead they're losing money and time because they are only making a few hundred. Also, you go work for an agency, that agency owns your work. You can't even show it in your portfolio. You work fo a large government agencies with lots of lawyers - same thing. The main good thing about solopreneurship or running your own business, is that you are the boss; you make the rules. Do not let clients rule over you too. You give a client an inch, and they will take a mile.

[@samheedy]

I loved your comment! Really insightful with the contract and being firm with it. Quick question - does that mean you don’t provide your clients the working files?

[@whiskyo]

Sam 90 Thank you. No, not unless they pay. It would be a separate purchase after the project is completed. My standard contract states what I own and what they own.

[@yurisamarin8200]

With a time I have learned to distinguish between serious clients and client who doesn't know what he wants from his life 😂. When I'm sure that client is ready to spend some budget to solve definite problem I start working with him.

[@sheebapius3163]

Good to listen to your experiences.... Quite interesting....

[@WillowCinders]

Thank you so much for this! I’m a social media manager that is currently parting with a client because my rates are now out of their budget. I just received a message from them ‘telling me’ to send over all of the graphic design and video templates I created. We never had a contract established (not ideal, but I was junior when I first started working with them years ago). I know that I own the copyright to my templates, but I’m afraid that if I don’t send the source files that they will not pay me my monthly rate. I’m really stumped, and honestly, I’m insulted that they feel entitled to these assets for FREE. Not too sure what the best course of action is. I really don’t want to sabotage the relationship, but I think I’m being treated pretty unfairly here. Got any suggestions? Any insights would be extremely appreciated!

[@noelr1010]

Lol this is the 2nd time you;ve mentioned the iRiver mp3 player, you must have REALLY like it haha

[@Naistov]

I am currently working on a re-branding project. My clients are lovely but they keep wanting things that, as a professional, would not recommend and things just aren't looking the best to my standards. It killed my creativity throughout the duration especially since I am almost 2 months pass the estimated finish due to them not keeping up with meetings. I plan on making edits that I find more appealing since I will add to my portfolio. Is it poor taste to do that?

[@giteshsharma7675]

If you created this video just last week, then that thing will be live saviour for me although I learn the same from my last week experience

[@DavidTaylorChesterWebDesign]

I recently had a project where the client part way in wanted to start making creative and design decisions about the website build. At first I tried to convince the client that they should rely on my 12 years commercial experience but that didn't work. Then I played hard ball and basically said I will do it the way I think it should be then hand it over to you and you can do what you like with it. Finally I relented and did whatever they wanted in terms of changes. The end result was a mess but it's what the client wanted. I took the money and waved goodbye. My question to all you guys is what would you have done?

[@ssmufc9941]

Absolutely what you did. Give them what they want and wave them goodbye! The rare clients, that actually take your expertise and advice on board, that give you the creative/technical freedom to do things how you want, to achieve the result they want, are exactly the clients you want to then continue working with! Especially if they put just about as much energy into the working relationship as you do! Otherwise they’re just another piece on the conveyor belt!

[@hodasami1129]

This is the second video I watched for you and you keep saying back in the day and I keep wondering man How old are you? :D

[@zendark5356]

36 I guess

[@1deplatt]

Never, ever work for a friend.

[@ghayas_16]

Or family

[@MoeezAhmed]

Friend and family members can become worst clients

[@yurisamarin8200]

Because you make them design for free but they don't appreciate this. Couse what comes for free seems not valuable. But to take money from friends or family its not pleasant.

[@tohauk18]

Yuri Samarin 100%

[@RodrigoVazquez91]

I learned the hard way

[@dracula123917]

He said go create 45 Seconds video of iG ad and 1 image with different versions for different platforms. ALL of those for 5$😢

[@plinyelder8156]

Hilarious story! I’m coming to your house right now! Lmao

[@jimmullins1270]

Good video man. Although I’d push back in saying that if you work for an agency or facility where you’re the ‘designer’; you’re at the whims of the worst possible clients with no ability to tell them to fuck off. Freelance you can pick and choose your clients, which is nice at least

[@Krmtx]

What do you do when a client doesn’t give you direction, doesn’t know what they want, wants you to make designs as you go, doesn’t speak up until the designs are done, changes they’re mind on a set design,… I’m just starting in graphic design.

[@harmonioussteak]

You finish that project and avoid them like the plague afterwards

[@k.elshahawy5690]

CoolStoryBob

[@mahmoud-bakheet]

😀😀😀

[@The-Portland-Daily-Blink]

How about the Graphic Designers from HELL? It works both ways. Man, I've had some major bad luck, so its not only "bad clients" sometimes its the other way around. Sometimes its bad graphic designers who don't know what they're doing.

[@Naistov]

You are correct but depends. Some clients think they know more than designers. Granted, there are designers who are "bad".

[@teavetyskova]

You gotta pick them carefully :)

[@The-Portland-Daily-Blink]

@@Naistov That’s true. I’ve heard of those nightmare stories, too.

[@arnas380]

well i dont know basicly by investing some time you figured out that your friend is piece of shit and gave him the money back but i really doubt that this kind of friend will stand by you in the hardship so is he really your friend or are we calling people friends just because there is no better word for this type of person in your life . ? :)

[@liam2246]

Those are some pretty jewish friends you had