7 ways to set clear expectations on your next design project

So, you’ve just taken on a new design client and are ready to get started. Congratulations! Winning a new round of work is an exciting moment for any creative person. But before you sign on the dotted line, it’s important to make sure both you and your client are on the same page—and stay that way for the duration of the project.

A new design project can open the door to long-term working relationships and client referrals that will help you build your business. But even the most experienced designers can run into roadblocks. A client relationship can quickly sour for a variety of reasons—from scope creep and seemingly endless revisions to feedback delays or client disagreements.

To protect your time and your working relationships, it’s important to set boundaries in advance. Clear project terms will guide you and your client in case anything goes wrong down the road. By setting these expectations, you’ll both know when to say “no,” when the customer needs to pay more, and when it’s time to walk away.

In this article, we will cover 7 important terms that you should always agree with your client before starting:

Let’s get started!

1. Discuss your deliverables
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The client sends you a creative brief and it seems simple enough. But did you two really dig into the details? It is important to be specific when it comes to the number of designs and variations intended to be completed in a project.

Scenario #1: Say a client wants a logo. What do they really expect? These days,...