I recently had a client who wanted a logo designed for a line of diet bars. While I was interviewing him before starting my designs, one of my questions sparked an interesting answer from him.

He said he was afraid of his diet products appearing “too diet”. He wanted something more “frivolous and comfortable” which is something I never would have guessed or designed for. How much time would he and I have spent if I hadn’t known this?

Because he had no problem with full disclosure, he and I had a great working relationship. After the initial logo was done, he hired me on to do six others for some other health products.

So, the obvious rule that needs no …

We know how it works.

You wake up, turn on your computer and wait for it to boot up. When the desktop appears you say what we always say:

“Man I’ve got a million icons!”

Well, now you’ve got a reason to delete them! How else will you see our sexy new desktop?

It’s free! It’s sexy! It’s blue! And it’s got dolphins!

Just like underwear, it’s available in different sizes. Download yours today!

1280 x 1024
1024 x 768
800 x 600

First, as a disclaimer to any future clients (love you!) let me say that very few clients fit into the client from hell category. If you’re an average Joe or Jane who’s spent the majority of your life not getting slugged square in the face, you’re excluded by a mile. Welcome!

That said, here are some warning phrases that any freelancer should tune his ears to. If you hear a lot of these from the same client, not just a couple here or there, be very sure to clarify down to the finest detail everything that’s needed and wanted. And get a contract signed. In blood. On ancient parchment from the fertile crescent. Or, don’t even take …

We’re a litigious society. Some people get sued more than I eat breakfast. The psychiatric profession industry alone currently has more than 28,000 active suits against it. So this post is not without purpose, and the main point is that you need a contract.

Contracts are essential. They don’t have to be big or confusing or full of legal jargon or anything like that. But they do have to be agreed upon and they have to define the responsibilities of both parties. And they should be signed by both parties.

Now, there are cut/paste contracts floating around online. They’re free to use but I would recommend writing your own or getting a lawyer to prepare a standard one for you.

Regardless, contract writers and lawyers, not being designers, …

There are two things I’ve discovered that waste more time than anything in freelance work.

Doing crappy work
Starting before you know what the client really wants, leading to crappy work

We all know what doing crappy work is so no need to elucidate here. It goes in the trash.

As to starting a project before you clarify milestones with the client, same things applies. While you may make them the most incredible logo or website ever, if it’s not what they wanted it’s still crap to them. It goes in the trash too.

Now, I know that freelancers in many fields have a tendency to blame the client when things go wrong. And yes, we all know there are tough personalities and clients who don’t pay and such. I’m …