Running a Design Business: Selling Design to Clients
1h 30mBeginner2017-09-08
Authors
Sean Adams
Chair of Graphic Design at ArtCenter
Course details
Many designers have experienced the frustration of having devised a singular, elegant solution, only to have it rejected by a client. While solid design skills are key to successfully selling your work, understanding how to collaborate with clients can be just as critical. In this course, learn how to win design projects, convince your clients to go with the best solutions, and cultivate lasting working relationships.
Instructor Sean Adams shows how to begin a working relationship with a potential client, explaining how to sell yourself, present previous projects, and set appropriate expectations. He also provides tips for communicating during the design phase, crafting and delivering an impactful presentation, and dealing with a variety of common conflicts. In addition, he discusses how to maintain lasting relationships with clients, create more work, and determine when it's time to part ways with a client.
Learning objectives
First contact
Setting expectations
Beginning the work
Developing criteria for approval
Communication during the design phase
Crafting and delivering a presentation
Dealing with conflict
Clients who want to play designer
When a client plays mix and match with a solution
Choosing your battles
Maintaining a relationship over time
Determining when to end a client relationship
Instructor Sean Adams shows how to begin a working relationship with a potential client, explaining how to sell yourself, present previous projects, and set appropriate expectations. He also provides tips for communicating during the design phase, crafting and delivering an impactful presentation, and dealing with a variety of common conflicts. In addition, he discusses how to maintain lasting relationships with clients, create more work, and determine when it's time to part ways with a client.
Learning objectives
First contact
Setting expectations
Beginning the work
Developing criteria for approval
Communication during the design phase
Crafting and delivering a presentation
Dealing with conflict
Clients who want to play designer
When a client plays mix and match with a solution
Choosing your battles
Maintaining a relationship over time
Determining when to end a client relationship
Skills covered
Small Business ManagementSmall Business and EntrepreneurshipLimited Series
Concepts
0. Introduction
- 01 - Welcome
1. Getting the Project
- 02 - First contact - Selling yourself
- 03 - Presenting previous projects
- 04 - Delivering the contract
- 05 - Setting expectations
- 06 - Common errors - Getting the project
2. Beginning the Work
- 07 - What to ask
- 08 - Developing criteria for approval
- 09 - Communication during the design phase
- 10 - Common issues - Time and money
- 11 - Common errors - Beginning the work
3. Presenting to the Client
- 12 - Communication - Design-speak vs. Client-speak
- 13 - Crafting the presentation
- 14 - Delivering the presentation
- 15 - Managing the meeting
- 16 - Common errors - Presenting to the client
4. During the Process - Dealing with Conflict
- 17 - Clients who want to play designer
- 18 - When a client plays mix and match with a solution
- 19 - Color problems
- 20 - Choosing your battles
- 21 - Time and money
- 22 - Common errors - Dealing with conflict
5. Completing the Project - Maintaining or Ending the Relationship
- 23 - How to maintain a relationship over time
- 24 - When and how to fire a client
Conclusion
- 25 - Next steps