When I've looked back on my work as a budding designer over twenty years ago, my reaction is probably similar to most folks who look back on past work.
I cringe.
Not because my work was awful (though some of it certainly was). And not because I didn't work hard at it. No, most of my wincing comes when I think about how little I knew about interacting with clients and peers.
Maybe it comes with age. Maybe from running your own company. But over the years I've solidified a few golden rules that have consistently served me - and my work - in even the most stressful of times. Some apply to designers. Most apply to all folks who want to create the best service experience possible.
1. The client isn't always right - and neither are you.
We've all had a client that has come to us with what they consider to be the greatest idea ever. And its not. Its not even close. In fact, its downright awful. It will prove to be the greatest visual hot mess the world has ever see. You're pretty sure it will be a scar on your portfolio. So what do you do as a responsible designer?
You give them what they ask for.
Not matter how you feel about you're client's direction, you need to deliver on what they ask for with the same level of enthusiasm you would put into your best work. You can clean it up, adjust and enhance. But the end deliverable needs to reflect the ask, regardless of how you feel about it. Don't ignore or disregard their point of view - no client likes to feel like their input or ideas are being dismissed.
Then you give them what they need.
Giving clients a better alternative is by far your most important role as a designer. It shows you're willing to take their ideas and improve upon them - to understand their business and translate that into work that answers their needs. The majority of time this approach leads to a merging of more than one approach and ultimately work you - and the client - will be happy with.
2. Even experts need to explain themselves.
"Because that's the way I designed it". Yes, you're the expert at design. That's why they hired you. But even the best and brightest need to be willing to explain their decisions. Good design has the right combination of aesthetic and sound reasoning behind it. Especially in today's world, where metrics are readily available, you need to be able to explain how the user experience, audience, or client will be enhanced by what you're putting forward. Good business rarely relies on undefined or vague principles - and your work at the end of the day needs to be good business.
3. How you accept criticism is as important as how you apply it.
We all remember the painful part of class when all the work goes up on the wall and the dreaded "crit" starts. Dozens tear your work apart down to the last semi-colon. In the real world, criticism and comments are a regular part of a designer's day - and I've seen varying reactions to it. Some folks get defensive and shut down, unable to move forward.
They take it personally. And that's not a bad thing. Designers as a rule tend to invest a lot of themselves in their work and to some every comment can seem like an attack on your taste, decision-making ability, and talent.
The smart ones LISTEN before react. They see the comments as an opportunity. You hear every detail. You use every comment to improve on the work. Will every comment be relevant or helpful? Nope. But feedback is necessary and to be absolutely expected - and to circle back to point 2, be ready to explain yourself if needed. At the end of the day your best work will be a perfect mesh of your own talent and your client's needs.
4. Write it down
You're in a client meeting and the comments are flying fast and furious. Make sure you're collecting those comments and documenting them. Don't rely on your client, project manager, or creative director to summarize after the fact. It's your responsibility to know what your client is asking for and that the next round of edits reflect that - and every client needs to know that you're taking the time to listen. No client should have to pay for an extra round because you forgot to do something.
5. Be on time (or early)
A personal nit - and one I've inherited from my father. When you miss a deadline, show up late to a meeting, or attend a call a few minutes late, it says "this is not my priority". Punctuality tells your client that they matter. That you're focused on their needs. Being a minute late or a day late is really the same thing.
In those rare cases when timing is going to be an issue, make sure you let the client know ASAP. Telling someone you're going to miss a deadline 5 minutes before the deadline is just as bad as missing the deadline. Give the client a heads up as early as possible - 99% of the time, they'd rather extend the deadline than compromise the work.