We're the Gatekeepers of Design Purgatory

Waiting on designers for your sh*t; now that’s faith. And that’s coming from a designer. (I’m also a client).

Welcome to Design Purgatory.

The age old story of working with designers—that initial homepage on your website with the hardhats, orange cones, and UNDER CONSTRUCTION – COMING SOON emblazoned across; 

On the client side, we want miracles to emerge and help us be successful and make more money. On the designer side, we want unwavering trust in us and the process. Miracles take time.

I don’t agree with that ethos anymore, where I as the designer are free to walk away from the client into my workshop to tinker away on their project. This disconnect from the group creates rifts: time, communication, trust, awareness and even emotion. Who are we protecting by separating ourselves, the process, and the client. 

The client deserves better.

Accountability and experience is key to the value and efficacy of my projects. Am I providing value and support to my client (the person who’s in unfamiliar territory, trusting me)? With the rapid expansion of technology, comes the influx of armchair designers who know the tools; they can craft things endlessly. Day in, day out, things things things to meet the needs of businesses who want to cause results.

Things don’t solve problems. What comes after is what makes the difference.
So, how are you helping your client? Being of service to? Providing value at each interaction?
Are you helping? 

Or are you the gatekeeper to Design Purgatory?