The Ideal Client-Designer Relationship: 5 Keys to a Successful Project
A successful design project isn’t just about talent or a great idea—it’s about the relationship between the client and the designer. When both parties bring their best to the table, the results can be transformative. But what exactly makes for an ideal client-designer relationship?
What follows isn’t a daydream about something that could never be. Instead, I’m writing about the ideal client-designer relationship to shine a light on the winning indicators shared by our most enjoyable and successful projects. In our experience, these attributes lead to smoother, rewarding projects and happier outcomes for everyone involved. Whether you’re a designer or someone looking to commission a design, it’s helpful to recognize the qualities that contribute to a successful project. Let’s explore what makes an ideal client-designer relationship.
1. We Have Both Done Our Homework
The Client takes the time to learn about the designer they’re considering. They’ve explored the designer’s past projects, whether by visiting projects in-person or researching their work online. They’ve spoken to former clients and gathered insight into their experiences. When selecting a designer, the client can clearly articulate why they chose them over another firm—whether it’s their style, approach, or reputation for delivering on goals. This kind of thoughtful research demonstrates a genuine investment in the project and an understanding of what makes a partnership work.
The Designer should begin by taking the time to understand the client’s vision, goals, and expectations for the project. This involves asking thoughtful questions about their needs, budget, timeline, and any challenges they may face. The seasoned designer knows to diagnose before prescribing. The designer should also assess the client's decision-making process and willingness to collaborate, ensuring there is clear communication and alignment. By evaluating the client’s values and understanding their project scope, a designer can determine if the partnership will be a good fit and if the client’s expectations are realistic and achievable.
2. We are Both Aspirational
The Client leads conversations about design by describing their desired future state. The client believes that great design is about more than just functionality—it’s about creating something that has the potential to positively impact and possibly transform people’s lives. The client is open proposals that may stretch or transcend their original brief, and understands that transformative innovation often involves disrupting the status quo.
The Designer’s relationship to aspiration should be rooted in both inspiration and humility. A receptive designer should constantly strive to push the boundaries of creativity, envisioning what’s possible, while remaining open to seeing things through a different lens. Aspirations fuel their drive to innovate, but a great designer also recognizes the importance of understanding users’ needs and the practical limitations of time and money. It’s a balance between dreaming big and grounding their vision in real-world application, always aiming for meaningful, realizable results.
3. Clear, Confident Leadership Guides our Process
The Client knows what they like and what they don’t, and can communicate these preferences in an open, honest, and timely manner. The client understands the importance of having the right people involved in the decision-making process and ensuring that key voices are heard at the appropriate times. When the client shares project developments with staff, colleagues, or board members, it’s with intention, appreciating the difference between seeking feedback and informing others of a decision.
The Designer must strike a delicate balance between leading an inclusive process and making decisions based on their expertise. The designer has a professional responsibility to leverage their perspectives and preferences to give a project its integrity and soul. Offering the client a smorgasbord of seemingly equal options robs the client of the very thing they are hiring the designer for. This is not to say that a designer’s decision is final, but rather, it is the designer’s job to assess and incorporate other perspectives to the project’s overall betterment.
4. We’re Willing and Able to Discuss Timelines and Budgets
The Client approaches discussions about budgets and timelines with openness and clarity. The client understands the value of the work being done and is realistic about the costs involved. If unsure about something, the client isn’t afraid to ask questions. The client has either secured the necessary funding or has a clear plan to do so, ensuring that financial resources aren’t an obstacle to the project’s success. When it comes to scheduling, the client can share an ideal timeline and is ready to adjust as needed to ensure everything runs smoothly.
The Designer must manage timelines and project cost estimates with consistent communication and frequent reassessment. From the outset, they should set realistic expectations with the client by outlining a detailed project timeline and budget that accurately reflects the scope of work. Throughout the process, they should regularly update the client on progress, highlighting any potential delays or cost adjustments and offering solutions to stay on track. By being transparent, proactive, and efficient, a designer ensures that the project stays within budget and on schedule, while still maintaining the quality and vision the client expects.
5. Our Shared Project Goals Are Experience-Focused
The Client and the Designer are not just concerned with the technical or logistical aspects of the project—they’re focused on the unique experiences they want to create for guests. We understand that people value meaningful, individualized experiences, and our shared goal is to provide something that resonates with people. We are deeply connected to the emotions and needs of the people that will serve and are served by this project, and we will strive to create an environment that supports their quality of life, enriches their perspective, and sparks their imagination. Above all, we want our project to inspire a sense of joy, wonder, and optimism in everyone who interacts with it.
A final thought: Trust is Key
Trust is the cornerstone of a successful client-designer relationship and yet it’s not on our indicators-of-success list. Trust is not something a client or designer can do, but rather, something that will develop when these 5 indicators are present.
The client must trust the designer’s expertise, knowing that their vision will be translated into a well-crafted, thoughtful design that aligns with their goals. In return, the designer must trust the client’s feedback and insights, understanding that the client’s perspective is vital for refining the project and ensuring it resonates with its intended audience.
When trust is present, both parties can engage in honest, constructive conversations, make decisions with confidence, and work together toward a shared vision, ultimately creating a stronger, more impactful design.
