Hello! Long time no post!
My dilemma: I've stupidly taken up a freelance job as a favour, even though I hate doing them and it makes me want to slit my wrists.
But here's why I'm stuck:
The client sends through 3 links to websites they like as a guide for look and feel.
They have an uninspiring logo, in primary blue and red. Uninspiring is a nice word for shit.
They want the website style to be child friendly even though it's not for children, the whole site is for parents.
They have nothing else. Some copy but no images, no branding. Surprise.
I whipped up 4 concepts, completely different layouts and styles from the websites they gave me and weaved in a few elements which I assumed they liked from the examples. They accused me of taking a literal copy and it made me feel like a piece of shit because I went out of my way not to do that.
To clarify, elements are rounded corners, bright colours, pictures of kids, there are a million ways to represent these components and easily create something completely different. I don't see that as copying. Copying would be if I used the same layout, the same colours, the same pictures. Which I didn't.
So here's my question:
How the hell do I use the websites as a guide for what they like but not use any of the elements and come up with something specifically tailored for them based on nothing?
What do you find helps when the client has no graphical content/brand/style and you have to pull a design right out of your arse?
The fun factor is about to drop to zero and it's all arrows pointing to a giant shit fest. I don't want to continue because I don't know where to start. Should I tell them I died?
Walk away - not worth the grief.
I've just done the same - returned their deposit less some for the time I put into the mock-ups. I've got enough on my plate without having to take shit whilst doing a favour for a friend.
The fun factor is about to drop to zero and it's all arrows pointing to a giant shit fest
Better someone else's shitfest than yours.
Direct them to 99designs.com .... that way the shitfest will happen in a 3rd world country you've never heard of.
Righto, I might do another round then, 3 more and if they shit in my face again, I'll cut my losses.
I just want to see if it's me not delivering or they're just king and queen lording their power over the lowly commoner. Because then I can walk away without feeling like I failed.
I'm only here to do the wavey thing and say hi to lelou
Hallo sir! You're looking very well today, I like what you've done with your hair.
Originally posted by: Technomancer Walk away - not worth the grief.
I've just done the same - returned their deposit less some for the time I put into the mock-ups. I've got enough on my plate without having to take shit whilst doing a favour for a friend.
oh, and long time no see.
Originally posted by: Stinky I'm only here to do the wavey thing and say hi to lelou
me too... you've been missed lelou
only wish I could be of more help right now
Hi boys! Feeling the love Walt! That's help enough sometimes. Sending through another round, not even holding my breath...
Best of luck.
(I miss you stalking me...)
so Lelou... I was following this. Did you walk away in the end?
Me, i'd carry on - get the job done and enjoy spending their money at the end of it.
Depends how busy you are I suppose.