On March 14th I did a autograph poster and action shot shoot for a group of trick riders. I am happy to finally show the completed posters for each rider.

Below are the completed posters complete with their specific asks.

Rules to Help Your Graphic Designer

Graphic designers are passionate people who work within the scope of their talents to create beautiful designs for clients be they artwork, marketing, logos, and so much more. But they are limited and are not all knowing beings so the first and most important rule…

Rule #1: Have an idea about what you want and be able to communicate it.

Most graphic designers can work off very little information — for instance the above posters did not come with the most complex asks. Bold, Blue, Green and Black smoke, and even Wonder Woman like. Those were simple asks that gave direction to the creation of the poster. Clients who say “we trust you and whatever you think is best,” and then tell you every design isn’t what they want but fail to communicate their actual desire make a designers life a living hell.

Having any idea helps. Communicating that idea is paramount to everyone being satisfied and the designer delivering the best work.

Rule #2: Understand the designers style.

If you choose to hire a designer then the thought is you looked at their work and got a feel for their individual style. Do not expect a new style to develop magically as most professionals in the field do not switch out their style for another without great thought and communication on the clients part.

In fact if you come to us we assume it is. because you like the work we currently do. Not work you want to see us do.

Rule #3: Graphic Design is a time consuming process respect your designers time.

Graphic design does not happen by clicking a button. It is a labor of skill, software knowledge, years of work and practice, as well as love. Designers have a great deal invested in this profession before a contract is reached with any clients. Years of study and practice to learn to make what they do and often from scratch.

Our time is valuable, our talent is valuable, and we are valuable. Respect our value and help us perform to the best of our abilities by timely responding to proofs, communicating ideas, answering questions, and generally being such an amazing client that we brag about you. Help the project run smoothly by being available, and being open about your wants and needs.

Most designers have anywhere from 8-72 plus hours in any given project, it is a full work day often weeks or months with a client. It is a full time job even if the work is created on a computer.

Rule #4: Do not insult your designers skill.

This should be understood but this happens when clients are frustrated because the image in their head isn’t what is delivered. Insulting the designers talent and skill however will sour the relationship quickly. Designers are artists, and artist can be sensitive, they are open to constructive criticism but there is a difference between constructive and insults.

If you do not know how to offer constructive criticism then be able to explicitly in detail describe what you want so the designer can meet those verbalized needs. If all you can say is it is the designers fault this isn’t working but offer nothing identifying why or troubling elements then it isn’t the designer at fault it is you as a client.

This is a touchy subject and clients and designers can be burned in this area. For me as a designer if you insult me, we will never work together again. You will be permanently blacklisted as a bad client. I do this to protect myself— I love constructive feed back because it is how I grow but insulting me will absolutely result in a terminated contract.

Rule #5: Do not ask us or expect us to work for free.

As stated above graphic design is a time inclusive field where we have years and hours upon hours invested. Asking for something free, or expecting it for free is the biggest insult to us because you are saying you do not value us. If you want free graphic design work never approach a true designer even if they are your friend— just do it yourself it will keep everyone happy.

PS. Generally among the field we have a term for clients who do any of the above. We call them clients from hell. So don’t be a client from hell, learn from this list, and embrace this list.