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ASK DN: Where do I draw the line between compromising client requests and my design principles?

over 8 years ago from , Freelance UI/UX Designer

I'm pretty sure this question has been asked before a ton of times in different places but I had to ask it myself.

My client wants specific features in a product I'm designing for him. I think they are WAY too many, and besides complicating the UX process, I actually think some are quite stupid.

I'm very vocal about my opinions, and while obviously not stating them as bluntly as I have done here, I've made my opinion very clear but the client is very stubborn.

Where do I draw the line between what I would sacrifice to adhere to his requests without compromising good user experience?

Any advice or past experiences would be greatly appreciated.

5 comments

  • Christopher HenriksenChristopher Henriksen, over 8 years ago

    I think it is good in situations like these to remind yourself that as a designer your responsibility is also to educate and explain the customer why you've designed things in a particular way. Sure, be open for suggestions and ideas, creating dialogue is key, but by the end of the day he/she/they hired you to design something because they don't have the expertise.

    And in relation to this question, I can not recommend Mike Monteiro's "Design Is a Job" enough. Quick read but so usefull!

    1 point
    • Bahaa HashemBahaa Hashem, over 8 years ago

      Thanks Christopher, I definitely agree. Sometimes I struggle to communicate the part about being being hired because the client doesn't have the expertise =D.

      Getting my hands dirty with the book as we speak thank you so much!

      0 points
      • Christopher HenriksenChristopher Henriksen, over 8 years ago

        One thing you'll probably pick up from reading the book is that it is not about telling them that "I'm the designer, you're the client", but establishing a good starting point for the project as well as a good dialogue. Enjoy the read!

        0 points
  • Sherizan SheikhSherizan Sheikh, over 8 years ago (edited over 8 years ago )

    You need to back your decisions up with data and provide use cases why his requests will compromise the UX.

    And hence there are certain UX tools for you to do that. If you cannot provide data or evidence then create one like doing A/B testing of his request VS your initial ideas. Use the results to compare which is better.

    Hope this helps or at least you've already thought about this.

    Would be good to know what the requests are.

    1 point
    • Bahaa HashemBahaa Hashem, over 8 years ago

      Thanks Sherizan.

      I've tried to back my decisions up with explanations but have a hard time finding data or use cases. I suggested we create mockups and do A/B testing to see the outcome so I'm waiting for that to happen actually.

      The client wants to create a share sheet in a popup, and in the share sheet he wants a list view, comments, content images, share to other social network buttons, and a share button =D.

      0 points