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I am so afraid to be known as the designer of the app that I am working on for a year

over 8 years ago from , Product Designer

Hello Everyone,

I really need some help with my situation in this startup that I am working for a year.

I am having a really frustrating problem with company that I am working with almost a year. (remote) And dont really know how to behave and approach right now.

A year ago I started to work with them, started from scratch and founder of the company kept changing the product, adding more features, removing features, adding those again..

He decided to change the navigation like 10 times, top to bottom, side bar to dropdown.. everything he saw in other apps, he was coming to me every week " look I found this app, I really like it, lets do it like this"

And I was trying to explain that is not right to do, but maybe because my my english skill or the way I was explaning he didnt really take me seriously, sometimes, he listened my advice but then he chanced his mind again.

Months later I stopped fighting with him, I decided to do what he says, just get paid and design the app the way he wanted. I gave up on the design, and from things I know.

But then things get even more horrible, PSD files started to have horrible organization, layer names, groups .. Because of changing everything for a 100 times..

Anyway, lately I visited their office and spend there a month because they are planing to launch the app and just saw the built they submitted to appstore: it even looks more horrible than even in PSD files. It developed so poorly, font sizes, margins, spacing, colors.. nothing is matching.

I tried to show the differences between design and developed version, they didnt really care. and still making do chances on PSD, like lets move that button, lets do this lets make it green.. lets make it pop.

Right now, app looks like nothing that something I would design. Something I would put on portfolio.

And When I tried to explain this to "boss" he was freaked out and telling me things like "this is my vision" "I am a visual person" "I know about design"

App looks really bad, and I am so embarrassed to be known as designed that. which has nothing to do with me.

I need some advice, how to deal with this kind of clients, how to change their mind, or how to approach with sounding professional.

Sorry for my grammar mistakes, I am still learning English. :)

Thank you all.

P.S - I already quit

8 comments

  • Xavi EsteveXavi Esteve, over 8 years ago

    Don't take it too seriously. I don't have everything I've worked on in my portfolio. Some clients just want you to use your Photoshop skills, that's not your "work" then.

    Now go get more clients and with time you will learn to spot good and bad clients. One really good question I always make is "Have you ever gone through a web/app redesign before?", most people will eventually get to understand the importance of trusting the expert's opinion as they work on more and more projects.

    Lesson learned, now move on! :)

    3 points
  • Darren MotenDarren Moten, over 8 years ago

    -ducting them to that design culture everyone raves about while improving their design IQ in a way that will get them up to snuff. 2) when you really don't agree with your bosses approach, carve out time to do and test your own solution. If it works you'll have metrics on your side. Lastly, as one person, you can't change a rivers currant. That doesn't mean you can't enjoy your trip downstream. Find those little things to take joy in and hold on for dear life...

    1 point
  • Darren MotenDarren Moten, over 8 years ago

    I live your pain. For companies without billion dollar valuations and the best design team money can buy; what designers bring to the table will often be devalued and somewhat undermined at every turn.

    My best advice is this: 1) show your work like its a 8th grade math class. Most bosses/shareholders see you as a glitterer. Show them how small decisions can have a huge impact on the success of a product. You will be incrementally be intro

    1 point
  • Daniel J., over 8 years ago

    i sympathise with you very much - i have the same issue with at least 2 companies and i don't know what to do with that 'glaring hole' in my CV

    0 points
  • Richard BallermannRichard Ballermann, over 8 years ago

    Wow, sounds like a nightmare. I know how crappy it feels to not have anything to show for a solid years worth of work. I'm glad you've already quit.

    You need to recognize that some people simply cannot be mind-changed, especially ones who do not respect the opinion of someone they hired to do a job. There are many people in the world who have very dominant personalities and want only to control every situation they are involved in. You might be able to convince them once but its only a matter of time before they start trying to prove that they are smarter than you all over again.

    Your best bet is to try and figure out how to spot this type of person from the start so you can avoid going into business with them.

    Best of luck to your future endeavours!

    0 points
  • Nick HileyNick Hiley, over 8 years ago

    The way you describe this company, it sounds like a very poorly prepared and executed startup anyway. Therefore I wouldn't too much about being known as designing the app as this company probably won't be around for too long :)

    0 points
  • Deniz ArkanDeniz Arkan, over 8 years ago

    I'm sure every designer faced the same situation once or more. My advice is, don't put in your portfolio but show to potential clients in 1 on 1 conversations. You'll have chance to explain the situation.

    Good luck.

    0 points