It's also worth noting that most digital designs only live 1-2 years before being redesigned. So, even though this goes against what I said earlier, sometimes current trends are good, as long as you are also attempting to forecast the next two years.
Unfortunately sometimes a project is a project and you simply do it to get paid :( but I still suggest doing whatever you can to help educate the client and properly provide a solid solution for the problem at hand. Even showing other, current designs as a comparison to what the client is referencing (hint: you don't have to show other sites/apps in the same field, for example banks and universities always have sucky design, so if designing for a bank why would you inspect what other banks are doing? Check out and reference similar industries that are doing it well!)
It's also worth noting that most digital designs only live 1-2 years before being redesigned. So, even though this goes against what I said earlier, sometimes current trends are good, as long as you are also attempting to forecast the next two years.
Unfortunately sometimes a project is a project and you simply do it to get paid :( but I still suggest doing whatever you can to help educate the client and properly provide a solid solution for the problem at hand. Even showing other, current designs as a comparison to what the client is referencing (hint: you don't have to show other sites/apps in the same field, for example banks and universities always have sucky design, so if designing for a bank why would you inspect what other banks are doing? Check out and reference similar industries that are doing it well!)
Good luck!