How can you ensure clients understand realistic expectations for commercial design projects?

1 Define the scope and timeline

Before you start any commercial design project, you need to have a clear and detailed agreement with your client about the scope and timeline of the work. This should include the objectives, deliverables, budget, deadlines, revisions, feedback, and approval process. You should also specify what is included and what is not included in your services, and what are the possible contingencies and changes that may affect the project. Having a written contract or proposal that outlines the scope and timeline can help you avoid scope creep, delays, and disputes later on.

2 Educate your client

Many clients may not have a lot of experience or knowledge about commercial design, and they may have unrealistic or vague expectations about the process and the outcome. As a commercial designer, you need to educate your client about the best practices, standards, and limitations of commercial design, and how they relate to their specific project. You should explain the rationale behind your design decisions, the benefits and challenges of different options, and the trade-offs and compromises that may be involved. You should also provide examples, references, and case studies that illustrate your point and show your expertise.

3 Communicate frequently and clearly

Communication is key to ensuring that your client understands and agrees with your commercial design project. You should communicate frequently and clearly with your client throughout the project, and use various methods and tools to convey your ideas and progress. You should update your client regularly on the status, milestones, and issues of the project, and solicit their feedback and approval at each stage. You should also use visual aids, such as sketches, mockups, prototypes, and presentations, to demonstrate your design concepts and solutions, and to avoid ambiguity and confusion.

4 Manage changes and expectations

Even with a clear scope and timeline, a commercial design project may encounter changes and challenges along the way. You should be prepared to handle these situations and manage your client's expectations accordingly. You should have a clear and transparent policy on how to deal with change requests, revisions, and additional work, and how they will affect the budget, timeline, and quality of the project. You should also communicate these changes and their implications to your client as soon as possible, and negotiate a fair and reasonable solution that meets both parties' needs.

5 Deliver quality and value

Finally, you should aim to deliver a high-quality and valuable commercial design project that meets or exceeds your client's expectations. You should follow the best practices and standards of commercial design, and ensure that your design is functional, aesthetic, and sustainable. You should also showcase your design's value and impact, and how it helps your client achieve their goals and solve their problems. You should also provide a smooth and professional handover process, and offer support and guidance on how to use and maintain your design.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?