Last updated on November 23rd, 2022
Just Imagine: you implemented the great concept and designed the best logo. You have done copious research, brought out creative juices, and created a mock-up that will engulf the client in a sea of excitement and appreciation.
You sent the mock-ups. Now, you wait for the client in anticipation. But you find out that he/she has stamped it with a ‘NO.’ Of course, the scenario is heartbreaking. We all know that every designer builds a relationship with a client on two basic elements — trust and open communication.
It is essential to nurture that trust right from the beginning. It is to keep away from an unclear brief. Seek access all through the design process and exchange information.
Communication is the building block of a designer’s profile. A good designer has to sell everything from concepts to ideas and variations on a particular theme. It minimizes the risk of complete rejection.
But no designer can run away from a ‘NO’ from a client. If you have faced a rejection lately, keep calm. Nobody likes being denied but you have to hold your ground and don’t be upset. It’s where your courage and communication skills come handy.
Talking to us through a webinar organized by Designhill on July 11th, 2019, As Adolfo Teixeira — the Founder of Logovolt shared some crucial tips to deal with logo design rejection. Teixeira is a passionate logo & brand designer focused on creating smart, bold, and effective designs that remain timeless.
During the Q&A session of the webinar, the guest speaker shared his valuable tips.
Check Out The Webinar Video
Here Are Some Crucial Tips To Handle The Rejection Of Your Logo Design
01. Read Your Client’s Mind
If you are stuck in a situation where a client’s favorite weapon is ‘rejection’, remember that he’s or she’s a human being. Keep in mind that they know better than you as they have been in the business for long.
When you’re in a presentation room or having your first client meet up, pick up the clues projected by the client and others. Forget about being a designer for a few minutes, how to design a logo, and understand it as a person.
Get the ideas as much as you can. Some clients ask for opinions, some show their doubts right from the start, and some want to go on discussing things to agree on something which is not their expertise.
A good designer is the one, who sees all this and tailors the communication or presentation to answer their questions and clear their doubts. Therefore, letting them focus on their tasks and make a confident decision.
02. Engage Yourself In Conversation
If a design is being turned down, stop presenting. You are off stopping than swinging designs again and again. It’s because there is something which is not right. And, it’s the stage to engage in communication.
It’s the stage where clients are easy to be engaged by picking the crucial drivers. It will give you the opportunity to suggest them the next route. If you keep focusing on the first route that they don’t like then you are doomed.
Give your clients enough time and space to think that your ideas are a good idea. Poking them to share their ideas in the first viewing may lead to unexpected feedback. However, providing them a 24-hour timeframe may turn things into your favor.
If you get a response disguised in rejection, it’s time to pay your ears to nothing but what the client has to say. Repeat or paraphrase the feedback that you got from the clients back to them. It will show them that you are listening to them and ultimately, it will remove misunderstandings if any.
Yeah, it’s tough to digest negative feedback regarding your logo design. It’s human nature to build a defensive approach. But don’t do it. And, if you’re doing it, just stop! Keep calm, take a deep breath. Think of clients’ words and focus on what they have told you.
As said earlier, they are the people who have spent many years in business. So, accept that they are right. They have a far better understanding of the market than a designer brainstorming on graphic design ideas. Therefore, their perspective towards your design is valid. Stop whining about it.
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03. If You Think Your Logo Is Good, Take A Stand
Using the word ‘fight’ won’t be suitable that’s why we have used taking a stand. Anyways, if you think you have followed the design process and your logo is an outcome of it, take a stand.
It’s a great turn off for a client when he finds no value in design and also sees that the designer doesn’t have the confidence in it. Take a stand for your ideas and support your concepts with confidence. However, if you don’t know how to do it, then let us say that you haven’t designed it with spirit.
Convincing doesn’t mean talking blatantly but presenting evidence. It also means giving reasons as to why your ideas work on it and how.
There will be an interesting twist as now the client will have to give reasons why it doesn’t work. Based on it, you can agree or disagree. In most of the cases, it will pave the way for a mutual compromise. You can take take some pro tips from other experienced designers who have offered graphic design services to clients.
04. Start Creating Design – Based Reasoning
Presenting evidence and reasons to support your design is crucial. But before the presentation takes place, consider the questions that clients may have. You have to prove that you think just like them and it’s good for placing their trust in you. It also paves the way for clients’ persuasion that what you say is right.
Back up all your ideas with solid insights. Be frank and honest while communicating with them. If you think the client isn’t right in his or her preference, then give a reason for that.
Do your homework, research well to provide a reason for every doubt they have. If they ask you the question like how color pink is right and what impact will it have on the audience, be ready with the facts.
Providing facts can have a great impact on the client’s mindset. You need to provide every reasoning calmly and proficiently. However, if you fail to explain the value of the design choices you made, then it means they are subjective not design driven.
05. Be Ready With Real – World Examples
Providing clients with real-world design examples goes long miles in convincing them. It would become hard for them to disagree or reject your design if it follows the same design principles that Apple, Nike, FedEx, and other brands do.
Another way to handle the situation is to provide the client with your and their options altogether. It gives them the feeling that they’re being heard. They would rest assured that they’re in charge.
No matter how skilled you are at communicating with a client, there comes a situation where you will have to start again. In such a situation, it’s essential to refuel and reenergize to kick off again.
To start again, you also need to go back and work with your clients. While doing so, discuss every step of the creative process with them. At last, it will help them understand your ideas better when you represent them. That’s how you can represent yourself as a professional graphic designer.
Conclusion
Rejection in the creative world is a part of the process. It shouldn’t let your spirit down. Understand what a client really wants and work on it. Provide the client with proof and reasons if you think your logo creation is based on design principles. Don’t hesitate to retouch or review your logo design if needed. After all, learning from failures, rejections and starting again is a part of success, isn’t it?