What I call The Circle of Revision can be “one of the most
dangerous places for a client to enter.” From what you are about to
read, you may think I am nuts but hear me out here.
The 1st goal
of any web designer is to design a website and balance both looks and
functionality. The 2nd goal is to be able to explain why you designed it
that way.
This 2nd goal,
and getting buy-in from the client, is super important for moving
projects along and I’ll go into more detail in a bit about why. First
lets go through a basic run through of what the design process looks
like.
The Wireframe
A wireframe, also known as a screen blueprint or page schematic, is a
visual guide that represents the skeletal framework of a website.”
Wireframes are created for the purpose of arranging elements to best
accommodate the users experience and clients’ needs.
There are numerous
different types of ways to draft a wireframe including sketches on a
whiteboard, pencil and paper, or a computer program.
The wireframe is
drafted with the client, target audience, need, and site elements in
mind. It is important that you learn these 4 things about your client so
that you can relay the look, feel, and functionality into your wireframe and eventually the design.
Draft Design Begins
After the client reviews the wireframe, you should ask them if they
have any questions or if they’d like to add anything to the page’s
skeleton because the meat is about to be put on.
Once the draft begins
review all your notes about who the client is, check out some of their
competitors’ websites, and get your ideas together.
Nothing should just
be plopped on the page, there should always a reason behind your
methods. Take care of your client as if the site you were creating was
your own.
Design Revisions
Your Design is complete. Now here is where you must take all of the
information you know about the web, the client, its target audience, and
your design you’ve created and get ready to explain to the client why
you did things the way you did.
There are times where the client has an
idea and it does make perfect sense. Other times they will have requests
that you think are from 1995 and/or unconventional.
You have to be able
to tell the client in a natural way why things are not 1995 anymore. It
is normal to have 2-3 revisions for a standard web design.
Let’s say the client is resistant, you’re on your 5th draft, and the requests are absolutely absurd and unusual to you. This is what I call the DANGER ZONE in entering the circle of revision.
The Circle of
Revision is when you keep going around and around and around with design
changes trying to get the client what they want.
It wasn’t about a year
ago until I realized how to deal with a situation like this but I have
an ace up my sleeve now that will help you and your client get out of
this spin and on to the road to completion and relief.
The ACE
WARNING: The Ace should only be used in desire and unique situations.
A situation that you see is going to spiral and waste money on both
ends of the spectrum (the client & you).
The ace is as follows: “I will do what you ask for these edits but it’s against my belief as a web designer and these changes that are requested can affect the ability of your new website to produce results in the manner you wish.
If we go forward with these changes that are requested, this will be the conclusion of any future design changes.” It may seem harsh, but at some point you have to put the foot down to prevent the circle from going around because overtime it will almost always become a “Frankenstein” of a website and it will beat you down to a pulp (mentally of course!) trying to please what cannot be.
Resource[Atilus]
The ace is as follows: “I will do what you ask for these edits but it’s against my belief as a web designer and these changes that are requested can affect the ability of your new website to produce results in the manner you wish.
If we go forward with these changes that are requested, this will be the conclusion of any future design changes.” It may seem harsh, but at some point you have to put the foot down to prevent the circle from going around because overtime it will almost always become a “Frankenstein” of a website and it will beat you down to a pulp (mentally of course!) trying to please what cannot be.
Resource[Atilus]
0 comments:
Post a Comment