Revisions For A Graphic Designer: The Process

You've created a beautiful logo. Clean lines, the curves of the shape are spot on, it was everything you envisioned in the sketch. You send the sample to the customer and... revisions. They don't like this, they want you to change this, completely remove this, and so on. With a heavy sigh you take one last look at your beautiful creation, and start on the revisions. It's a process, we don't have to like it, but we have to accept it. But what do the behind the scenes look like for a designer when it comes to revisions? I can't speak for everyone, but here is a look behind the computer screen for my revision process.

1. Do not panic.

Revisions are normal when it comes to creating a design. You may envision one thing, and your customer envisions another. It's totally okay. The best thing to do is to stay calm, and pay attention to what they are saying. Most of the time it's just a few tweaks here or there, or they want to see what it would look like In a different way. So stay calm.

2. If you really like that version of the logo, store it away for your portfolio.

I get it. we fall in love with the things we create, and sometimes it's hard to see why anyone would want to change it. However, they are paying you, or they should be. If you truly love that logo/design/illustration or whatever beautiful thing you made, store it away to put in your portfolio, and then start on the revisions. You don't have to completely throw it out, and hey, you may end up loving the piece more after the revisions.

3. Don't go back to square one.

I know it can feel defeating when someone wants revisions, and you just want to scrap the whole thing and start over. Don't do that. Whether it was a few tweaks, or a lot of them, you have a base to work from. Sometimes walking away, getting a coffee, going on a walk, and just catching your breath can help you come back ready to start tackling this.

4. Write down physically what they want changed.

Emails are all good, but for me, I either have to print out their email or write down their changes they requested in a notebook. For two reasons. One, you are looking at a computer screen way more than any human was meant to. It's nice to break away from the screen and go into a physical paper and pen/pencil situation. Two, I love to check things off like a list. It shows my progress and it doesn't make it feel like such a daunting thing. Also, if you don't finish those revisions that day or the next, or whenever, it's easier to send an update on where you are when you are keeping up with a checklist of what you have done. That's just me though.

5. Create options based on the revision requests.

Yeah, that's right. More work. Sometimes it's easy to just do what they say, but I always explore my creativity in this stage. Sometimes a request for change doesn't look right, so I always create a few options keeping those changes in mind. I've had clients ask for a revision, hate the revision they requested, and so I presented the other options I made during the revision and they liked them a lot. Not everyone's cup of tea, but this way it helps me feel like I still have control over my creativity.

6. Set boundaries with revision limits and stand firm with your pricing.

Uh oh. They requested three revisions, which is fine. Then they requested four more, and then four more, and so on. As an artist, you need to set boundaries. I personally tell my client up front my hourly fee and how many revisions that includes, and then any extra revisions is this much extra plus the continuing payment of my hourly fee. That way it makes the client stop and think, and try to prepare and give the artist as much as possible up front. Some people don't care and will pay the extra money for more revisions, which is also fine.

7. Be polite and respectful when it comes to revisions.

Sometimes people ask for the craziest things, or at least they are crazy to us as designers. I always make sure to listen fully to what the client is saying, take notes, and ask questions. If they are unsure of something, I provide them with my knowledge of design as well as samples or examples of things. People see one thing in their head and love it, but when it's actually made it might change their mind. Be patient with them, they didn't necessarily go through the training/schooling you did.

8. Present the revisions in an equally professional manner as the original.

You might hate the revision. You might still prefer the first. However, when presenting any form of the design to a client, you need to present each as professionally as possible. I typically have a standard template that I use to present all intro options of a logo design/brand design. This ensures that one, everything is uniform, and two, each look like they got equal time and effort from me.

Those are just some of the big things I keep in mind when doing revisions for a client/company. I know sometimes it can be frustrating to have to change something when you feel like you've created the best option. Sometimes though, you just have to put your feelings aside and create art (Crazy right?). Don't lose your sense of love for design/illustrating or whatever other amazing artistic thing you do. Make sure to still create art for the sake of you and art.

Sincerely,

Just Your Average Graphic Designer in totally Digital World

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