As a designer, you get the opportunity to work with so many different clients on a wide variety of projects, each of which you pour an immense amount of creativity, time and passion into. In conversation with a recent client, I received some feedback that I had never really considered before, that it was “refreshing” to work with someone who “accepts feedback and criticism with zero ego”.
In the design world, there’s a common narrative that some clients “just don’t know what they’re talking about”, and in my opinion that’s a bad view to have. First and foremost, our role is to serve the client’s needs, but when ego is involved it’s easy to lose sight of that.
Why Ego Has No Place in Design
My primary job is to deliver something that the client is proud of and that serves their goals. When the conversation begins with a client, my main task is to listen to their needs and I will ask questions to learn more about them, their business, to define the brief and to set goals and expectations.
The client may tell me about brands they like, about competitors’ brands and what makes their business unique. This conversation not only builds on the brief, but it also reveals something about the client, that they have their own vision.
As designers, it’s up to us to bring that vision to life, because they trust in our expertise, but they also want to give input and feedback on our work. This feedback is a part of the creative process, and sometimes it’s not always positive and, in any profession, can be hard to take. But if I let my ego get in the way, if I refuse to consider their feedback because I think I “know better”, then I’m failing to fulfil my primary job, deliver something that the client is proud of.
Sure, there will always be moments when a client asks for changes that don’t make sense or suggests ideas that might not align with best design practices. But instead of seeing this as a personal affront to my skills, I approach these moments as opportunities to explain the reasoning behind design decisions.
Education Not Confrontation
By taking time to educate clients on why certain elements work and others may not, we build trust and a better collaborative relationship. This kind of dialogue not only helps the client better understand the design process but also ensures they feel heard and valued, resulting in a final product they are genuinely happy with.
At the end of the day, the best design work comes from collaboration. By putting aside my ego, I’m able to work with clients more effectively and create designs that serve their needs while also staying true to strong design principles.
Clients want to know that they’re working with someone who is invested in their success. By embracing feedback with an open mind, we can not only create better designs but also build lasting professional relationships based on trust and mutual respect.
