I like having options, don’t you? I had three design deadlines this week (not to mention planning a party, shopping for a car and enduring the busyness at work) so I’ve been weaving in and out of my design files looking for this and that and I realized I tend to offer my clients these fun little option boards. Whether it’s a variation in font for their monogram, or choosing a color pairing for their invite, it’s always nice to give options and to be given options. Above are a few option boards I’ve done for three very different weddings: one traditional American, another modern Indian, and another a destination wedding.
Sometimes, clients can’t get enough options (not always a bad thing, but sometimes it can prolong the design process). Sometimes, they just want me to pick (this can be both good and bad depending on the client, but I enjoy it because it means they trust my aesthetic). And sometimes I wonder if I’m giving too many options or not enough. If you’re a designer, how do you prefer to offer your clients options? Where do you limit yourself? If you’ve been on the client side of design or intend to be, how many options do you like to be given? I’m just curious to see how people approach this subject. I’ll continue to offer my incredible clients options to suit their fancy, but I am learning how to become more efficient for myself and for them.
I hope you opt to have a great Thursday!
{all images created by The Eclectic Author for The Eclectic Press}
10 comments
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April 21, 2011 at 6:35 am
Brandi {not your average ordinary}
I can’t speak as a designer but I can speak as a client. I love having options, not so many that overwhelmed, but not too few as to feel like the decision is being made for me. What those numbers are I really don’t know. I think that depends on each situation. Right now, I feel like I have a lot of option in life in general. That’s just overwhelming.
April 21, 2011 at 8:30 am
Hannah (Culture Connoisseur)
So you design invites for weddings? How much do you love your job?
April 21, 2011 at 9:11 am
Gabriella {sensiblyluxe}
I love what you’ve come up with! Vivien, I’ve been looking for monogrammed personal stationery and thank you cards to no avail. (I finally caved and just made my own thank you cards.) I looked at your site–do you only do invitations?
April 21, 2011 at 9:22 am
rachel
I LOVE your options.. especially the vintage stamps. It’s so fun to see your mind on paper. You are the best.
April 21, 2011 at 9:27 am
danni
I love options, I too make many options when designing for a client. Love all yours here! I am loving color option #4 for Nissy. Have a great day!
April 21, 2011 at 9:36 am
Jessica {from Petite Lemon}
OPTIONS! clients totally like to be part of the process, they like to learn. Showing multp. good options is the difference between a good designer and a great designer. Also, CS5’s mult artboards make the entire process easier … BTW, fabulous examples! Love what you are doing! XO
April 21, 2011 at 10:19 am
Eva @ Four Leaf Clover
These are so cool, Viv! I love the destination wedding options. For me, the more options the better, but not so much that you’re overwhelmed and feel that you have to look through all the options for an hour and have to go through an elimination process. I hope that makes sense!
April 21, 2011 at 10:29 am
Lauren (PalmPapers)
I have a hard time knowing how many to offer. sometimes less is more – but when you sense a client might like every option then more is best. It can also help them realize how to describe better what they want, and sometimes they need too see it to know.
April 21, 2011 at 9:00 pm
jaclyn @ thelateafternoon
i’m so glad you posted samples of your work – you’re so talented! love the san francisco stamp design! as someone who is incredibly indecisive, options and i have a love/hate relationship!
April 28, 2011 at 11:09 pm
Rachel at Benign Objects
Sometimes I go overboard on options, I think. I spent all day today putting together a logo/branding presentation for a client and finally pared it down to 8 options, which I still think is overkill–at least according to my last agency job, in which we only showed 3-4 options. I like my client to feel like I’ve thoroughly explored many avenues and can lead them down the one that best suits their business. 🙂