Our role as designers or creators working for a client is to put our experience to work in helping them address their unique challenge. The client also has a role. The role of the client is to let you know what you cannot change for reasons you don’t have to understand. When you work with a client — you are entering into a collaboration where the client gives you constraints, and you find creative ways to overcome those constraints. When both parties respect and fulfill their roles, the result is a partnership that is practical and allows you do your best work.

It’s essential to ask plenty of questions and listen to your client with patience and attentiveness. Often, what a client says isn’t exactly what they mean, so it’s important to read between the lines to uncover their true intent and the vision their have in their head. You need to really talk to them and get them to share what they have in mind; what are they trying to do and why do they want to do it.

A good best practice is to set the expectations for the project with the client early on. A session where you both agree on what the constraints are and what the final results should look like and what measures will count for a successful project.

Disagreements are a natural part of any relationship, including those between clients and creators. It’s essential to manage your emotions and respond calmly, regardless of how a client behaves. They may simply be having a bad day. However, if the situation escalates, maintaining your composure and professionalism can serve you well in any future arbitration.

To ensure disagreements are handled productively, it's crucial to document all agreements for future reference. Consider using an AI notetaker during meetings or utilizing the recording features on platforms like Google Meet or Zoom. Documenting your conversations ensures that important details are easily accessible, helping to resolve potential issues and prevent misunderstandings.

Your job is to do your best as you work in service of the agreed brief and around the constraints the client has provided. You must take feedback well, and do everything you can to serve the project without compromising the integrity of your work.

A mindset of service doesn’t mean blindly agreeing to every client request. Instead, it means approaching the collaboration with humility and a genuine desire to help the client succeed. This approach involves striking a balance between creative freedom and the client’s vision, staying open to feedback while preserving the integrity of your work, and proposing solutions that align with the client’s objectives as well as industry best practices.