Just came across this Speak Up article via its reprint in February’s HOW Magazine.

I’m not sure what it says about my abilities as a graphic designer but I’ve never designed something that wasn’t improved by client input. Well, all right, not every time, but a whole lot of times, and certainly enough times that I have lasting faith in the client-designer relationship.

I have clients who are well versed in design and who simply nod at my design proposals or ask for only slight adjustments. On the other end of the spectrum, I have a client who likes to pick her own PMS colors; I’ve seen no reason to override her choices yet. I also have a color-blind client who loves my work, is great fun to work with—he likes Merlin Mann, I like Merlin Mann; enough said—and he gives excellent feedback. Lucky me.

I think the key word in Armin’s article is rapport. I don’t mean clap-handies BFF rapport. Just enough mutual respect and humor for a healthy, productive relationship. With most of my clients, I’ll argue my point and, a lot of the time, even win it; smart clients, after all, understand they’re paying their designer for a professional design opinion. But there’s always that fine line between being a professional consultant and a professional pain-in-the-glutes.

Actually, a lot of what turns into the bad kind of design-by-committee can be quashed at the outset if a few basic ground rules are laid out. Developing clear goals with clients, and having a solid research and concepting process before doing anything in Photoshop, means clients and designers can get on the same page from the get go.