The Design Bible

[brandyarnold]

(got this idea from a thread with GDesign)

If you were given the opportunity to write a verse in the "Design Bible", what would your verse be?

I've got a couple:

1. Always save your first version: (and all your other versions - we've all had clients that make tons of changes and then say "you know... I liked your first version better..."

2. KERN: a font is almost never perfectly spaced exactly as you type it.

Actually, I could probably keep going, but I want to see what you guys would write!

[GDesign]

(got this idea from a thread with GDesign)

If you were given the opportunity to write a verse in the "Design Bible", what would your verse be?

I've got a couple:

1. Always save your first version: (and all your other versions - we've all had clients that make tons of changes and then say "you know... I liked your first version better..."

2. KERN: a font is almost never perfectly spaced exactly as you type it.

Actually, I could probably keep going, but I want to see what you guys would write!

always get the complete brief from the client and ALWAYS ask for a sample of something that he really likes just to get an idea of the way he thinks.

[GoldenZ]

1. Always Save all of the content used for the client project ( pictures, Logos, Samples he likes from other sites, and your Source code
   --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. Do not give the best shot you got on the design, always give him something less that you can really do. Clients love to get impressed always, then you will have a better chance to avoid different versions requested by the client xD
   --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. Always hit Ctrl + S to save your work, in some countries there is an electricity problems, you do not want to lose what you been working on for a stupid blackout xD
   --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. Do not cut the communication with the Client, always be in touch and show him what you did so far, (I know it takes more than ever) but it avoid destroying all your work for re-design again.
   --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5. Be creative, show the client some designs you like from your own or from others. This should save time till you both agree on something.
   --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6. Always be patient, Do not show any aggressive emotions, The client might contact you again for other projects if he/she likes your attitude.
   --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

That all what came in my mind at the moment xD great thread brandy and GDesign Keep it up xD
Regards,
-Amr

[chio_tg]

In editorial design:
Where pharagraphs have no space between, always use indentation. (If they have, don't)

Design in general:
ALWAYS check orthography twice. This is gonna save you a lot of money .


I'd like to share something, emmm it's not like a rule, but it can help somehow if you find someone like this woman , is a story about Picasso:

"In Paris, there was a woman strolling along a street, when she spotted Picasso sketching near a sidewalk cafe.

Not so thrilled that she could not be slightly presumptuous, the woman asked Picasso if he might sketch her, and charge accordingly. Picasso obliged. In just minutes, there she was: an original Picasso.

-And what do I owe you?- she asked. -Five thousand francs,- he answered.

-But it only took you three minutes,- she politely reminded him.

-No,- Picasso said, -It took me all my life.-”


... my two cents =D

[brandyarnold]

great story! So true...

[DixielandDesign]

(got this idea from a thread with GDesign)

If you were given the opportunity to write a verse in the "Design Bible", what would your verse be?

I've got a couple:

1. Always save your first version: (and all your other versions - we've all had clients that make tons of changes and then say "you know... I liked your first version better..."

2. KERN: a font is almost never perfectly spaced exactly as you type it.

Actually, I could probably keep going, but I want to see what you guys would write!

Something that is always overlooked and that is because we are not as a rule taught this in our schools. Be an Active listener, read for comprehension, The Devil is in the Details I have always been taught, and when you Listen to understand and read a design brief to understand you will understand and pay closer attention to the details.

[jjyepez]

Never work on a Design you are not feeling confortable with. (at least try hard not to)

Very probably the client will feel that sense of "not a good enough job" and he will discharge it at the end (and you will have lost preciuos time)

I would say .. try to make a deal w/the client (show your technical reasons) try to convince him (very politely) that his idea is not that good .. and propose him a better one .. one wich you feel confortable with, I bet that it will result in a way better product at the end, for sure!

Some time someone says: There is nothing better than working in the way you like most (or feel most confortable) ..... and .... getting a paycheck because of that is even better! ... That is a dream came true.

Cheers!
--
jjyepez

[GoldenZ]

Hello, jjyepez:

w000t! Are you kidding me! lol who would get convinced totally to change the design! Actually it Works only in some cases when the client requested a modification in the design and you don't see it right! Although you convince him/her to back off!. Explaining why...! at the end he/she realize that you're more professional than him/her and Agrees at the end.

^^ cheers
-Amr

[jjyepez]

hehehe,
That's right! You have said the right words ....!

I mean, obvoiusly you are not going to change the client's mind about his / her base concept or idea ..... but .... about the way that concept or idea is going to become the actual final piece or product. ... As you said: They must trust you! you are the expert ;-) and that's so true but sometimes clients are not clear about that .... hard/tough clients I must say! I have had to deal with a couple of them! GEEZ!
hahaha ...

Cheers!

[GoldenZ]

The more you see these kind of customers, The more you gain more experience.. and figure out how to satisfy everyone's Taste xD

The opposite is the fresh designers whom get off mood Fast and they think its the end of the world in design no more lol, Then they realize that its not an easy Job to do, Some of them give up and change their carer, Others Stays spreading their wings on that field and they get success!
The way of success is how long you can stand without giving up

Good luck
-Amr

[jjyepez]

Good point!
So, I can read there between the lines: "THE BEST WAY TO DO THE THINGS YOU LOVE ..... IS BY LEARNING TO LOVE THE THINGS YOU DO AND YOU ARE NOT LOVING YET ... "
I'll take it as a wise advice Paulo. Thanx!

So It has just gotten written on the Design Bible pages .....

Best regards
--
jjyepez

[GDesign]

i don't know if someone has experienced this before ( Brain over storm ) what i mean is that sometimes when i am looking for an idea for a new website i look over a lot of ideas and lose focus to the extent that i cannot think no more and i get stuck !
my point is , " Its OK to do some brain storming as long as you don't over do it ! "
i don't know if this makes any sense to anyone just thought i would share it with yall

[tdodger]

(got this idea from a thread with GDesign)

If you were given the opportunity to write a verse in the "Design Bible", what would your verse be?

I've got a couple:

1. Always save your first version: (and all your other versions - we've all had clients that make tons of changes and then say "you know... I liked your first version better..."

2. KERN: a font is almost never perfectly spaced exactly as you type it.

Actually, I could probably keep going, but I want to see what you guys would write!

White space is the window of positive attributes.

[brandyarnold]

white space is the window of positive attributes.

so true!

[libbyelliott]

One of the best things I ever learned was design "crap".

Contrast
Repetition
Alignment
Proximity

These are some basic principles, but without them design wouldn't be coherent.

[tdodger]

so true!

then try to make babies with me........hahahaha

[Randi]

Whenever possible give the client three options,
1. The one you like the best.
2. The one you think they will like the best.
3. One that is terrible so it makes the other two look even better!

[GDesign]

Whenever possible give the client three options,
1. The one you like the best.
2. The one you think they will like the best.
3. One that is terrible so it makes the other two look even better!

Unfortunately he will always pick that last one !

[Rienone]

Unfortunately he will always pick that last one !

Then when your done with the client revisions to the number 3 design. It looks even worse. My experience anyway.

[GDesign]

Then when your done with the client revisions to the number 3 design. It looks even worse. My experience anyway.

Which is totally true !

i don't know if you ever got to the point where you lost your temper with a client but i feel that you did, i know i did once and i suggested that i would give him the mouse and let him do the design !