Happy holidays?

This is NOT the TSDG 'holiday' card but oh, how I wish it was. It perfectly demostrates what it's like be in the design business and deal with our favorite people, our clients.

I mean it, our clients are our very favorite people and not just because they pay our wages. I have never known such a bunch of great people. Our clients come from diverse industries and from different parts of the country (and indeed, the world). I don't know what it is, or how, but we really do have wonderful clients and I would like to wish them all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Yes, I know that 'happy holidays is de rigeur these days, but I'm old-fashioned and this is MY blog. Over the years, I have had some astounding arguments with clients. I shouldn't should I? The customer is always right, yes? Well, no. You see, when I am arguing (or 'heatedly discussing' something) with a client, it's because I have the client's interests at heart. A client might suggest something which is wrong wrong wrong - and I am going to tell them exactly why. In my opinion (and opinionated people invariably say that) the client has come to TSDG because we are extremely good at what we do. So, how can I put this politely, please do not tell us how to do our job. It would be a lot easier for me to say "Of course we can put a call to action there" (although it will do no good) - "Of course we can have the link opening in a new window" (although that is seen as being incredibly inconsiderate to the viewer and very 1999) - "Of course we'll make it a deeper blue" (although it will react badly with the green logo and color-blind viewers won't be able to see it) - "Of course we'll move the logo to the left" (but because of the bleed, it will be cut off) ... That would be the easy way and the client would be happy and I'd have his money and his advertising campaign would fail, his website would get no hits and his brand will not accurately reflect his company ... but the customer is always right... Many years ago, I had a client who was a most charming lady, I thought she was terrific, and she used to drive me tro distraction. We used to email each other in bright red bold capitals with lots of exclamation marks - the internet version of yelling and having a blazing row. We argued about every aspect of her project, her brand, her website, her ads, everything. I admired and respected her but I argued with her constantly. She was in the medical business and my eventual comment, delivered by email in bold red with lots of exclamation marks was "If I come to you with a medical problem I am going to take your advice because you're an expert. I am a design expert so why aren't you taking my advice? I'm not going to advise anyone about medical matters so please don't tell me how to do my job." I don't know if it was the size 18 font, the bright red or even what I said, but it worked! It's Christmas and thank you for letting me have my Christmas present to myself - a good old rant. And it's the season of goodwill to all men - and women - and clients - so thank you all for a great 2007. So let's start 2008 as we mean to go on ... no, I will NOT fill that white space with a call to action!