A product designer’s success partly lies in their design related skills. It might surprise you but the product designer’s remaining ingredient for his product’s success pertains to effective communication. It is imperative that you utilize the best of your abilities to reflect upon the client’s vision for his product.
You need to maintain direct communication with the client and introduce your own ideas to him in the sense that makes them hyped to see those ideas materialize. Product designing team has had years of experience in handling projects from various industries. This has enabled them to operate through a set of rules that will ensure productive communication with their clients.
Give Respect
You need to understand that the client is still human and can react emotionally when hurt. Do not argue with them about the nature of the unlimited graphic design. Telling them that they don’t know anything about the design can enrage them and reflect poorly on you. It is crucial that you retain the client’s enthusiasm about the project. If you continue to respect their wishes, the client will form a positive bond with you.
The bond does not necessarily need to be at a personal level but more on the basis of professionalism. Showcasing your decency will help increase your profile. This does not mean that you throw yourself at the client’s feet. Just maintain professionalism and civil discourse.
Control Your Emotions
Displaying your emotions with the client will damage your image. You will be viewed as unprofessional. While it is important to let the client know that you care deeply about the project, you should not overreact and let your emotions get carried away. Always keep a cool head when dealing with a client that is either angry or stressed out.
The trick is to empathize with them and understand what is driving their anger. You need to maintain a tough exterior when engaging with a complicated client. His words cannot hurt you but yours can. Never allow yourself to snap at the client or your career will be damaged. Patience is a virtue in this regard. Develop a coping mechanism for yourself if you are feeling frustrated.
Develop A Healthy Relationship
If you establish a warm and friendly relationship with your client, it will make your work easier. When delivering the project, always explain the reasons behind the decisions you have made. Make sure that the client can understand how much you have invested in the project and what steps you took for the completion of the process.
There is no shame in admitting your own mistakes and lack of knowledge pertaining to the project. Always end the discussion with a promise that you will research more. Acting smarter will only damage your career. This level of transparency will create trust between yourself and your client.
Ask the Right Questions
Never hesitate to ask your client any questions pertaining to the project. It should not be limited to the visual aspects of the project. You can start by asking the client “why are you here?”. This will get you an idea what the client’s goals and ambitions are. Ask questions about their budget and if they know the risks they are taking. Knowing this will enable to take the suitable approach in innovating the project.
Always keep a gentle tone when questioning the client. Your figure of speech will determine how he responds to your questions. If he if offended, always make a genuine apology. An offended client will not bode well for your project prospects. He may even cancel the project entirely.
Propose Easier Challenges
Don’t be afraid to present softer options to the client. Present the options with sensitivity. Share your concerns. You also need to take care that your recommendations are thought provoking in the sense that it is persuasive to the client. Never allow yourself to become aggressive. Instead of simply saying “No!” just say “Why don’t we…”.
Inspiring the client to make better decisions and re-evaluate the plan will always work to your advantage. Rejecting a challenge should never be in the cards for you. Always be organized and face the challenges head on. This will showcase your own abilities in terms of interaction. Do not fear the client’s response. His input is all part of the process and must be respected.
Propose Solutions
You need to be ready when you have no choice but to point out the issues pertaining to the project with the client. Propose a solution instead. Engage with your client as a fellow team member because you are working on the project mutually. If you tell the client that he is wrong, it will only serve to exacerbate tensions. You need to provide solutions in depth as opposed to short and brief answers. Otherwise the client will perceive you as immature.
Saying that the project is impossible to do or that the client is creating confusion is not conducive to a positive relationship. Just provide your separate solutions gently and lead them to understanding your perspective on the project. Sharing your solutions and ideas will better your work
Don’t Overpromise
Word matter. If you use phrases such as “you will be satisfied” will backfire. This absolutism will increase the client’s expectations and deter your own work process. If there is no way to confirm this, avoid overpromising. Be transparent in your shortcomings. Nobody likes a know it all anyway. Engaging in self praise will lead the client to view you as arrogant and vain.
This causes miscommunication which is never good for your brand. Just maintain a moderate stance and connect with the client in a more relatable sense. He will view you as a fellow human being. This creates workable atmosphere between you and the client.
Make Decisive Decisions
The absence of making immediate decisions can hinder your work. It is even worse than making the wrong choice. You need to gain the client’s respect for your professional expertise. Keep answers to their questions on the back of your head. You can do this by engaging with the client and introspecting the direction they want their project to take. If you come up with a decision, relay it directly to the client.
Keeping yourself and the client in the dark will only confuse both of you. You need to have a myriad of options available in your mind pertaining to the project. You should take some time to ponder on them and them execute on one. This is a leadership quality that you can effuse with your expertise.
Positivity is Key!
Smile more. Be true to yourself. Keeping an open and fresh mind will make you feel better about the project. Even the client will be receptive to your positive outlook. Never lose hope. All in all, just chill out and trust your judgment. With your optimistic and positive attitude, you will leave a good impression on the client. He will see you as more relatable and approachable.
This would entice him to work with you again for future projects. The point of keeping a positive attitude is to give yourself a peace of mind. Without mental stability, your work will deteriorate. It is vital for you to strengthen your emotional intelligence.
Inform the Client Everything
The client will not have the kind of knowledge about the design as you do. They might require your assistance in the sense that they depend on you to explain the concepts and terms of the project. As a product designer, you can showcase your own process and modus operandi in how you wish to move forward with the project.
Explain to the client in detail how you will execute your ideas to product design. As mentioned before, you need to maintain direct empathetic communication with your client. You are not a machine. You are a human being. Your have your own strengths and weaknesses. It is all the more important that your client see that in you.
Avoid Conflict
As mentioned before, Patience is a virtue. Never argue or offend a client even if he’s wrong. Your job is to remain cordial and create a comfortable environment for your client. If you sense any change in the tone of your client then you must remain apologetic. Always be receptive to the client’s complaints.
Then try and use your words in a calm and logical way in the sense they can see your side of things. Confrontation will never lead to anything productive. So, whenever you feel that the direction of the conversation is taking the wrong turn. Walk back your method of conversation effective immediately. There is nothing worse than a client that views you as an enemy.
Designster has incorporated all these tips into their platform which is it has garnered acclaim from its clients. If you hope to ensure that your project is successful. Never underestimate the power of communication in your endeavors.