Working as a designer often means navigating a sea of client requests, some of which can be downright perplexing—or even maddening. While each designer handles these asks with grace and professionalism, it’s important to acknowledge the challenges they present.
Here is a humorous and relatable list of 22 client requests that can truly test a designer’s patience. From unrealistic timelines to vague descriptions, these scenarios are sure to resonate with anyone who’s ever tried to bring a client’s vision to life.
1. Can we just do this in a weekend?
Most design projects require substantial time for planning, sourcing materials, and implementation. A weekend simply isn’t enough to do justice to the design, causing stress and frustration. Designers often handle this by politely explaining the time and effort needed while offering a smaller-scale solution for the tight timeline.
Breaking tasks into manageable chunks and prioritizing urgent elements can help manage client expectations. The key is communication and setting realistic boundaries to ensure quality doesn’t suffer in the rush to completion.
2. Can you make it look like Pinterest, but also completely unique?
Pinterest is a treasure trove of beautiful designs, but replicating such curated ideas is challenging. Designers find this request tricky because it demands originality while mimicking existing styles. To handle it, designers suggest customized alternatives inspired by Pinterest but reflecting the client’s personality and needs.
Consultation sessions help clients articulate specific elements they love, which designers can then creatively interpret. Balancing inspiration and innovation is key, ensuring the final design stands out yet satisfies the client’s vision.
3. I don’t have a budget, but I want luxury!
Luxury design usually comes with a hefty price tag, whereas no budget means no direction on spending priorities. This request can be quite frustrating as it lacks financial feasibility. Designers typically handle this by creating a realistic budget based on the client’s desires, offering options that balance quality and cost.
Transparent discussions about materials, brands, and alternatives help set expectations. The aim is to craft a luxurious feel while respecting financial constraints, often requiring creative problem-solving and scaling down on non-essential elements.
4. Can you make this room bigger? I want more space!
While designers can work wonders with layouts and arranging, physically increasing a room’s size isn’t possible without major construction. This request can be confounding due to its impracticality. Designers usually suggest clever storage solutions and design tricks to visually maximize space.
Using mirrors, multi-functional furniture, and strategic color choices can create the illusion of a larger area. Communication about the limitations and creative possibilities allows clients to understand what can realistically be achieved within the existing space.
5. I just want the design to be more… magical.
“Magical” is subjective and hard to pin down, often leaving designers in a guessing game. This request is challenging because it lacks clear direction, leading to potential misalignments. Designers handle it by conversing with clients to define what “magical” means to them, turning that into tangible design elements.
Exploring mood boards, themes, and inspirations helps pinpoint the desired ‘magic’. The process requires patience and creativity, aiming to translate abstract wishes into concrete, enchanting designs that satisfy the client’s nebulous vision.
6. Just copy this competitor’s design.
Copying a competitor’s design is one request that can frustrate designers. Not only is it unethical, but it also stifles creativity and innovation. When a client asks for this, it often feels like they’re undermining the designer’s ability to create something unique.
Instead of copying, a more effective approach is to analyze what makes the competitor’s design successful and adapt those elements into a fresh, original concept.
Encouraging clients to embrace creativity can lead to more authentic and memorable designs that stand out in the market.
7. I want it to pop more.
The desire for a design to “pop” more is common but vague, often leaving designers unsure of the specific changes desired. This can be frustrating due to its ambiguity. Designers usually address this by asking clients to highlight elements they feel lack impact and exploring options such as adjusting colors, contrast, or typography.
The aim is to enhance visibility and appeal while maintaining design coherence. Encouraging clients to articulate their vision more clearly can significantly aid in aligning expectations and achieving the desired effect.
8. Can you make it like this, but different?
This request seems straightforward but is inherently contradictory, challenging designers to replicate an idea while altering it. The difficulty lies in balancing familiarity with novelty. Designers often handle this by identifying core elements the client loves and brainstorming ways to tweak them, crafting a fresh yet recognizable outcome.
Clarifying which aspects should remain and which can change helps streamline the process. The goal is to deliver a design that feels both new and aligned with the client’s initial inspiration.
9. I need it yesterday.
The demand for an immediate turnaround is a notorious trigger, as quality design requires time and thoughtfulness. Such urgency can lead to stress and compromised results, making it a challenging request. Designers often manage this by negotiating realistic deadlines and prioritizing crucial components.
Clear communication about the impact of haste on quality ensures that expectations align while maintaining professional standards. Efficient time management and open dialogues about feasible timelines are essential in navigating these high-pressure situations.
10. Just be creative!
While creativity is the essence of design, this open-ended request can be overwhelming due to its lack of direction. Without guidance, designers might struggle to align their creativity with the client’s vision. Designers typically address this by asking targeted questions to uncover preferences and inspirations.
Creating mood boards or style guides can help narrow down the possibilities. The aim is to channel creativity within a framework that satisfies the client’s needs, ensuring that the design is both innovative and aligned with their goals.
11. Can you add more color, but keep it neutral?
This ask is a conundrum, as adding color while maintaining neutrality contradicts itself, perplexing designers. The challenge lies in striking a balance between vibrancy and subtlety. Designers handle this by carefully selecting muted colors that provide interest without overwhelming the palette.
Discussing color psychology and harmonies with clients helps them understand how subtle variations can enhance the design. The objective is to enrich the overall look while adhering to the client’s nuanced request, often requiring innovative use of shades and tones.
12. Can you just Photoshop it?
Photoshop is powerful software, but it can’t fix everything, especially if it involves unrealistic expectations. This request frustrates designers because it’s often seen as a quick fix for complex issues. Designers address this by explaining the software’s capabilities and limitations, managing expectations about what can be realistically achieved.
Educating clients on how design principles work alongside technology ensures better collaboration. The focus is on leveraging Photoshop’s strengths while maintaining design integrity and achieving results that are both plausible and professional.
13. Can you make it more like my competitor’s design?
While competitive inspiration is common, copying another’s design can compromise originality and brand identity. This request challenges designers to innovate while acknowledging industry trends. Designers manage this by identifying unique brand elements and integrating them with competitive insights, crafting a distinctive design.
Balance is essential, ensuring the final product respects intellectual property while appealing to market expectations. Educating clients on the importance of uniqueness helps maintain their brand’s integrity and fosters designs that are both competitive and authentic.
14. I want the design to be timeless, but trendy.
Timeless yet trendy is a juxtaposition, often confusing designers tasked with blending enduring appeal with current fads. This request can be tricky due to its contradictory nature. Designers typically handle this by focusing on classic design principles while incorporating subtle contemporary elements.
Encouraging clients to prioritize longevity over fleeting trends can help strike a balance. The goal is to create versatile designs that endure beyond current fashions, achieving a harmonious blend that respects both timelessness and trendiness.
15. Can we just keep it simple and sophisticated?
Simplicity and sophistication are coveted but can be elusive in execution, often leading to complex design processes. This request is challenging because it requires precision and restraint. Designers handle it by focusing on clean lines, balanced compositions, and refined details, ensuring every element serves a purpose.
Educating clients on the elegance of minimalism helps align their vision with practical design strategies. The aim is to achieve a sophisticated look that remains understated yet impactful, balancing simplicity with depth and elegance.
16. Can you make it appealing to everyone?
Designing for universal appeal is daunting due to varying tastes and preferences, making it a challenging request. The difficulty lies in creating a design that resonates broadly without diluting its essence. Designers typically handle this by identifying core brand messages and crafting inclusive visuals that align with diverse audiences.
Research and feedback loops aid in refining the design to ensure it connects meaningfully. The focus is on universal themes and aesthetics while maintaining distinctiveness, ensuring broad yet coherent appeal.
17. Can you add more sparkle, but keep it professional?
Balancing sparkle with professionalism is a nuanced task, challenging designers to add flair without losing credibility. This request is tricky because it risks crossing into gaudiness. Designers handle it by selecting subtle embellishments that enhance without overwhelming, such as metallic accents or understated glimmers.
Educating clients on the impact of excess helps maintain design integrity. The aim is to inject vibrancy while preserving sophistication, ensuring the final design communicates both enthusiasm and professionalism effectively.
18. Can you just throw in some graphics?
Adding indiscriminate graphics can clutter a design, disrupting its flow and focus. This request triggers designers because it risks diluting the design’s message. Designers typically address this by exploring where graphics can enhance rather than detract, ensuring each element adds value.
Discussing visual hierarchy and purpose with clients helps streamline the design. The objective is to integrate graphics thoughtfully, enhancing clarity and impact while maintaining a cohesive and focused aesthetic that supports the overall communication strategy.
19. I want something totally new, but familiar.
This paradoxical request asks for innovation within familiar territory, posing a complex challenge. Designers often navigate this by identifying comforting elements the client associates with familiarity and innovating around them. The key is to introduce fresh concepts while retaining recognizable foundations, ensuring a sense of novelty without alienation.
Engaging the client in discussions about what ‘familiar’ means to them aids in crafting a design that feels both groundbreaking and approachable. The balance achieved delights by pushing boundaries without losing touch.
20. Can you make it more dynamic, but keep it calm?
Dynamic and calm are opposing forces, making this request uniquely challenging. Designers tackle it by using fluid lines, soft movements, and balanced compositions to evoke a sense of motion without chaos. Discussing kinetic design principles with clients helps align their vision with feasible strategies.
The focus is on creating an engaging experience that remains tranquil, using contrasts judiciously to blend energy with serenity. The aim is to craft a design that captivates and soothes simultaneously, achieving an equilibrium that satisfies this dual demand.
21. Can you make it more modern, but keep it vintage?
Designers often encounter clients who want the impossible: a design that is simultaneously modern and vintage. The client imagines a seamless blend of sleek, contemporary lines with the nostalgic charm of vintage aesthetics. For designers, this request triggers a whirlwind of thoughts on how to combine two opposing styles without creating a visual paradox.
Clients may not realize that these styles often contradict each other, with modern emphasizing minimalism and vintage embodying richer details. The challenge lies in finding common ground, perhaps through a color palette or specific design elements that can harmonize the two.
For designers, it’s about diplomatically guiding the client to understand the complexities behind such a request, ensuring that their vision can be both respected and realistically achieved.
22. Can you make it both masculine and feminine?
Balancing masculinity and femininity in design involves navigating stereotypes and preferences, posing a complex task for designers. This request challenges them to blend elements traditionally associated with both, creating a harmonious design. Designers often handle this by using neutral colors, fluid forms, and balanced compositions to achieve inclusivity.
Clarifying client expectations regarding gendered aesthetics aids in crafting a design that appeals across spectrums. The focus is on integrating diverse influences to produce a sophisticated, gender-inclusive design that resonates broadly.