What do you do if your design solutions are met with resistance from clients?

Fully agree with everyone else saying. I would only add that after hearing their feedback, DON'T react defensively! The most important first step :) We usually forget that and start defending ourselves, and no one is attacking us. Gain client trust by thankfully welcoming the feedback first and then starting with questions. Make them feel like partners and equal to you. We usually become arrogant and make ourselves sound and feel superior. That's my two cents.

When clients don't like my design ideas, I listen to their reasons and explain why I chose those designs. I use facts and data to show why they're good. Then, I ask for their ideas and work together to find a solution we both like. It's about teamwork and making sure the final design is great for everyone.

First thing when we met resistance from clients on our design, the reasons could be : #1 We fail as a designer that we didn't listen and understand the client requirements properly before starting the design project. #2 Not clearly understanding the project scope, goals, objectives, and expectations Listening and understanding the client requirements actively is very cruicial and ask the right questions like their preferences, challenges and limitations. By doing this we can gain trust and strong relationships with the client will lead to ensure best possible design solution for their business needs.

Take the time to listen to your clients' concerns and understand the reasons behind their resistance to your design solutions.

In order to overcome client reluctance, I would explain design decisions, offer substitutes, and impart knowledge of UX principles. It is essential to cooperate, make concessions, and look for support from stakeholders. Sustaining adaptability and iteration guarantees ongoing progress.

Since you didn't just arrive at random solutions, ensure you communicate how your design decisions are backed by UX principles that's aimed at enhancing users' satisfaction. Use examples and analogies to reinforce the idea and help them see reasons.

- Clearly articulate the value and benefits of your design solutions to your clients, addressing their specific concerns and highlighting how your solutions address their needs and goals. - Use data, research, and case studies to support your arguments and demonstrate the effectiveness of your design approach.

The only way to win the argument over clients, "But I think yellow is much better!" is to arguably explain when and where the yellow color is used and why you used blue in this specific case. If we talk about user flows, I find that whenever I explain that it is modeled on existing patterns in well-known applications (you show the examples), they say, "Oh, yeah, you are right, I totally forgot about that example." ;)

Maintaining work-life balance as a freelance UI designer requires setting boundaries, scheduling time for work and personal life, and effective communication with clients. Prioritizing clear communication values such as honesty, transparency, and mutual respect fosters understanding and ensures a healthy balance between work commitments and personal well-being.

Anyone who wants to get involved in UX design should be ready to collaborate effectively with the people around. Of course, it may need the help of the company culture and great leaders around the project. But as a UX designer, you should be ready to inspire that collaboration by adopting all of those UX fundamentals that are helping people come together to create great things. For example, use empathy maps, personas, lo-fi prototypes, hi-fi prototypes as tools to welcome everyone to participate in the project. When you peers and you stakeholders are engaged on those tools, you can be sure that the collaboration is really efficient for the project.

Don't forget to collaborate closely with your clients. Carry them along with your design process and let them feel like partners. Share wireframes and prototypes early to get their input.

- Foster open and collaborative communication with your clients throughout the design process, involving them in decision-making and problem-solving. - Encourage feedback, suggestions, and contributions from your clients, and be willing to incorporate their input into your design solutions to ensure alignment and buy-in.

Some clients like to take part in the design process, but some don't, as they're always lacking time. If they do want, be aware to clearly communicate the process and the timeframe of the workshops, since they can quickly become too broad and lose focus on the underlying problem.

Perhaps, this is the most important part of the process, Collaboration is the key to finding common ground between our designs and our client's vision, thus achieving something much greater than separate efforts.

If they're still not convinced then you should be flexible and open enough to refining your designs. Consider your client's feedback and see if there are ways to meet in the middle without compromising the experience.

If clients still resist, be willing to tweak your designs. Stick to UED principles, but listen to their feedback. Try to find a middle ground that doesn't harm user experience. Sometimes, even small changes can make clients happy without sacrificing quality. Being flexible shows you're dedicated to finding a solution that works for everyone.

Yup, but always show the refined design by compering it to your solution, as it often happens that they actually love your solution! :D

As a UX designer, you should really expect resistance from the clients. And really, it should help you to improve your skills as well. A great presentation will help the clients to understand your concern. Prepare something that is data based. Be aware of your own biases so that you gain better insights from your users. Always align the users needs to the business needs. Then, show to the clients that you are someone who can listen to them and take action from their feedback. From that experience, you also have the opportunity to learn how to persuade people. Moreover, you will understand that humans need to be heard and you as a UX designer needs to know where and how to do things well with people.

That's why comms exist. 50% of success lyes in the good presentation. That's why you should always start with NOT the solution but with REFERENCES. There is always the possibility that someone has already built it and it has millions of users, or if it's a well-known product develop by one of the famous companies. You should guide the client by holding their hand and gradually establishing your story and rationale. In the end client will say, "Yeah, absolutely, this totally makes sense" ;)

Be confident in your skill as a professional. Your expertise and insights are valuable and you should be able to stand by your decisions if they are clearly the best way to go. That doesn't mean you should be too rigid.

The UX designer is projecting confidence when the clients are feeling satisfied and secure by the findings. It is really important to bring data to the table when conducting research and when doing some presentations with the stakeholders. Be sure that if you were prepared to the moment, you will show confidence during your conversations. When the designer is showing that the field is open to everyone, the clients feel more engaged in giving feedback. When they provide feedback with confidence, you can be sure that you are also projecting confidence to them. I think that confidence can be seen around when it's a mutual concern only.