Or why it’s great to have a client who appreciates you.
One of my projects that recently came to printed fruition is the children’s book I’m Lucy: A Day in the Life of a Young Bonobo. This self-published book was a real labor of love for all involved: writer, photographer, editor and backer. That can sometimes be intimidating for a designer — when the people involved in the project hold it close to their hearts, there can be a lot at stake.
Fortunately for me, the client and all of the people I worked with on this project were fantastic. That’s not to say that it was complete smooth sailing, though. I had a vision for the book, and I had to sell it. This book is a collection of photographs of a Bonobo family and what I wanted to do was have each page be a different vibrant color. I worked up the comp and sent it around. Some of the people on the project loved it on sight. Others, not so much. When working with a group, it’s a good idea to know who in the group has the final say, but ideally, you want everyone to be happy with the design you create. That didn’t seem like it was going to happen in this situation, but I really believed in the design for the book and was able to convince the decision maker that if she took a chance, everyone would be happy in the end.
Phew. The book is out, and here are the comments from all involved:
It is absolutely beautiful, and the few people I’ve so far had the chance to show it to are really blown away. Thanks SO much for all the input of your creative juices that transformed this into a work of art. — The backer
I got my book yesterday, (Actually have two). It is totally gorgeous. I really love it. I wasn’t happy about the colors at first, and I was clearly wrong. Thank you for having the extraordinary brain that can put together something as beautiful as this book! This morning I was visiting the Child Care Center that I am on the board of, and was showing the book around. One of the teachers started reading it to the three year olds who were having a snack. They children started pointing and giggling at the pictures. Quite a sight for me.
So thank you, thank you. — The photographer
The books have arrived and they are more beautiful than I ever even
imagined. Your design and layout are perfect, the cover is perfect,
all the corrections to the photos are perfect — really I could go on
and on.
Thank you thank you thank you. — The writer
So beyond the obvious back patting I’m doing to myself, what’s to learn from this? First of all, that this won’t always happen. Sometimes you just can’t convince a client that you’re right. Sometimes you have to put aside your design ego, let go of “the perfect design” and do what the client wants you to. But it doesn’t hurt to remind the person who hired you why they hired you. That your experience and expertise are worth listening to. And when you find the client who’s willing to listen and take a chance, that’s where you can find the intersection between doing work you love and work that the client loves. It makes it all worthwhile.
Go to BonoboKids.org to find out more about Bonobo monkeys and to buy the book. Proceeds from the book are donated to charities dedicated to saving the Bonobos and saving the world.
