Comments on: I'm angry and frustrated

By: bgrggfe

bgrggfe — Sat, 26 May 2012 02:19:00 +0000

Beijing policy makers say they're eager to encourage greater domestic consumption. Chinese shoppers are famously luxury-happy, flying to Hong Kong and further afield in droves to stock up on Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Chanel and more. All of which means the stage is set for the next great innovation to hit China: Louis Vuitton Outlet malls.

By: Rachel McCollin

Rachel McCollin — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 09:36:00 +0000

Hi Paul,

This post (and your talk which I saw at DIBI) is a breath of fresh air. I worked in customer service training some years before I moved to web design, and if there’s one thing I learnt there is that the customer (or client) is ultimately the one paying the bill and needing a service, so their needs are crucial.

I always say to my clients that they know their business way better than me so only they can define what they need their website to achieve. My role is to work with them to build a site which will help them do that, and which they will be able to work with when I’m not there. The best work I’ve done has been on projects where the client is closely involved, has their own ideas and views, and where we work together to identify the best approach. It’s not the path of least resistance, but it does result in superior work.

Thanks. I hope lots of web designers listen to you and stop and think before grumbling about clients!

By: Kristine Jubeck

Kristine Jubeck — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 23:35:00 +0000

This is sorely needed. Looking forward to it!

By: Amanda White

Amanda White — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 15:01:00 +0000

Design is foremost about communication. Thus, it is about people. By avoiding people and working with them, we avoid tackling unique communication problems and challenges. In turn we may miss out on a brilliant new solution. That and it’s healthy to work with people and it gives the work more meaning. These are, of course, just my opinions.

Love your blog, by the way. It is always very insightful.

By: Brian B

Brian B — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 18:47:00 +0000

This is really good stuff, Paul. Thanks for sharing the opening chapter. I think I spotted a typo in there on page 13, under the section about clients having valuable contributions. “Our,” should be are.

Cheers! Look forward to reading more!

By: nattyman

nattyman — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 23:37:00 +0000

This looks great Paul. I am looking forward to reading the new book.

By: PauldeWouters

PauldeWouters — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 00:01:00 +0000

not sure I understand your reply ;)

By: Chris Ruggia

Chris Ruggia — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 13:00:00 +0000

For my part, helping clients is the primary source of fulfillment in my work. I have a very small studio in a very small town and for the most part I support very small businesses as my clients.

As you can imagine, my income is proportionally small compared to most agencies, but 90+% of my clients are sole proprietors who choose to work with me because they value what my design can bring to their business. That one-on-one relationship gives me the pleasure of seeing first-hand the difference my work makes to their bottom line, and the satisfaction of helping a friend to accomplish something they care about.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 19:10:00 +0000

I have absolutely no problem with that choice. My problem is only when people those who choose otherwise.
Cheers,
Paul

Paul Boag [ Web Guy, Writer and Polymath ]
W: boagworld.com
T: @boagworld
M: 07760 123 120

By: PauldeWouters

PauldeWouters — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 19:03:00 +0000

There are more and more solo professionals in the web design industry. As a solo freelancer, client work is not scalable, you only have a limited number of hours per week, and so, your income is also limited.
Creating alternative income streams is an important way to grow your freelance business without “becoming an agency” – which many don’t want or can’t do.
An agency can absorb more work more easily than a freelancer.
Web apps, WordPress themes / plugins provide these addition “passive” income streams which allow freelancers to grow their business when they can’t absorb more client work.