Presenting to me is one of the two most exciting parts of a job. I’m putting forward my creative solution to the problem, but it can be challenging. By now I think you all know how I present to a client. I give a presentation of what I think is the right thing and I very rarely give options. Once we get to presentation stage I feel a 100% committed to what I’m presenting and that it is the best for the space. However, sometimes a situation warrants giving a choice. It’s usually for the benefit of the client and to make them a participant in the process. (I always ensure that I would be happy with either option, by the way.)
For clients that are unsure of what they like, the presentation process can be daunting. Many times they want to see twenty things because this gives them an out. In my experience, the more choice you give these clients, the more confused they get.
If a client says ‘I don’t like this because…I don’t like the color / The material doesn’t please me / etc. you have to try and get from them what the color is that they want and what about the material it is that doesn’t please them – and what would. Always, these issues were already addressed in the first meeting, but sometimes a client just doesn’t know what he/she wants and are not sure themselves why they don’t like something. These are tricky situations and I guess guiding them through the process is what great designers do well.
Friends say “give them choices and make your life easy”. I don’t know. I find it hard a) to design two or three different ways of creatinga space and b) being unemotional about the one I feel is the best answer. What are your experiences about giving options when presenting your design idea to clients?
#1 by mandy on May 17, 2010 - 1:53 pm
I’m in the middle of preparing a design presentation for a large ad agency. I have come up with a solution that I am really excited about. However, I am obligated to come up with another option because that is how we work (this is actually what I am going to be doing today/tomorrow and I’m procrastinating a bit, and trying to get the creative juices flowing with a bit of coffee). But I know what you mean, it’s hard to be enthusiastic about an option that you feel is second best.
This client always eventually asks which option I prefer after presenting. I always explain that either option will work but then let them know my preference and explain why I prefer one over the other. It’s human nature to have a preference when given a choice and I would feel a bit phony saying “I like both equally”. Your clients likely expect that you will have a preference and if they ask about it I think you should be honest.
#2 by Decor Arts Now on May 17, 2010 - 2:04 pm
I agree with you Vicente. I tend not to give my clients lots of options when I am designing an entire space. Occasionally, I will have one or two choices, but as a general rule, people are looking to me to weed out the choices and give them what I consider the best option.
The exception to this happens when I am only hired to do a small bit. Occasionally, someone is stumped on the perfect chandelier, mirror, or whatever. In those one-off matters, I will send over pictures of several options. Lynn
#3 by Dawn on May 17, 2010 - 2:07 pm
I’ll give you my thoughts from a client perspective. I like options but I can easily visualize, so making a decision isn’t difficult for me. I do feel, however, that a lot of (most?) people have a very difficult time visualizing and for them limited options would be preferable.
I also know that if VW were presenting to me, I’d not only give him persmission to run w/his plan but beg him to:)!
#4 by Robert on May 17, 2010 - 2:20 pm
Hello Vincente,
For the most part + in principle I concur.
With larger projects I tend to stage presentations, perhaps
starting with base building materials … and fixtures to introduce a vocabulary. Presenting an entire project at once
can be too much to take in for new clients. Which creates
indecision. With existing clients or smaller projects, I always try
to present a complete look + feel, (without options). That said I’m not married to any one element. If a client is lukewarm to something, I throw it aside, you may win the battle but you will never win the war. In design (for me), just as there are wrong answers there are also many right answers. A clients disapproval of something can add friction, ultimately making the design more richly layered …. and me more resourceful.
#5 by melissa on May 17, 2010 - 2:27 pm
THE QUESTION IS WHY DO PEOPLE HIRE DESIGNERS TO DECORATE THEIR SPACES???
WHAT IS THAT ABOUT???
XXOO
MELISSA
#6 by Gini on May 17, 2010 - 2:46 pm
I am not a designer, but am an artist, and USED to be in advertising. I agree with Vincente – present your BEST design only; the one you are passionate about. If the client has objections, ferret out what their REAL objections are (“I don’t like green” – “it reminds me of grass” – “my mom used to spank me when I got grass stains on my brand new Keds!” They very rarely can express what their real problem is – if they could they wouldn’t need you.
#7 by Gary Nelling on May 17, 2010 - 8:34 pm
Presenting design options was required of me by the architects I worked for. Clients often have an element or two or three that they wish to see in the design, which may work fine or be pieces that don’t fit in their puzzle, but I was taught to respect their specific wishes in at least one design. If there are other designs that satisfy their needs through slightly altered pieces that fit better into their big picture, then I present one or two options as well. I attempt to explain the physical, financial and aesthetic pluses and minuses and lead them to the better design. Sometimes this works and sometimes the client waves off the better (and often more cost efficient) design, since they want what they want.
Years ago I was the designer of a particular major St Louis office building, and my boss said that he wanted me to prepare 50 design options, (I’m not making this up!) showing that we had explored all possibilities, and present them in order of the least to the best with all but the last being straw men that were knocked over one by one to get to the one ultimate solution. So the presentation was as much about process as the final design. But the clients got tired mid-way through the presentation and said: “We’ll take design 33!” It was an good design, but the last was so much better!
Your focused approach has caused me to question my own. I suspect the key is that you prepare the field properly by asking the right questions in your initial meeting and thereby limiting their choices and leading to a good solution before wasting lots of pencil lead or time. Complex buildings beg multiple studies, but presenting too much may imply uncertainty and diminish the control that keeps us linear, efficient and happy. – Gary
#8 by Christine Schwalm Design on May 17, 2010 - 9:43 pm
The approach I take is that the client hired me to do all of the sorting through FOR them. I try not to give more than 2 options, focusing on one at a time, because it’s too easy for them to get confused.
If you ask certain questions upfront about their needs, planned uses, likes, etc. it helps. I actually give my clients a questionnaire to fill out that gives me an idea of materials, colors, patterns to focus on. A lot of clients find it easier to tell me what they don’t like. The other huge thing, talk about money early and often. I usually say, “well a room like that usually runs about *blank* for just the furniture and *blank* fully dressed. And then I watch their face.
#9 by Julieann/CreateGirl on May 17, 2010 - 11:35 pm
Great topic! I will go in with all the confidence in the world as I feel like if I have asked the right questions at the start and have involved them a bit in the scouting process they will love the presentation. Though with that said they hire me to take them out of their comfort zone so I might have an alternate in my bag just in case they feel uneasy. Usually when they see the alternate and have the opportunity to choose they see why I chose the first option to begin with. It might be a little extra work but well worth it if they realize my thought process behind the ultimate choice! Great comments and conversation here, thanks!
#10 by Carol Ann on May 18, 2010 - 3:24 am
My answer to more than one option to clients is…I have worked out the best space planning given the requirements you gave me for the room…I have worked out the best fabrics, colours, case goods that work with the other pieces (kitchen etc) off the room, we can weak the lamps and access. but more than that I will have go over the requirements and make sure we understood each other the day we got together… I must admit most of my clients love everything and purchase it all… (last friday, my client was in tears she loved it so much) That is going to be one amazing new living room / dining area for my 73 year old client… grey, taupe, black with accents of red, just amazing if I do say my self, I smiled all the way home that afternoon…
#11 by eileen on May 19, 2010 - 1:51 am
After I have met with the client and spent time pulling together a presentation I like to present one or two options that give them an A or B choice. I always have a favorite and most of the time the client will choose the one I favor. Too many fabrics and choices do confuse them. They also want to experience your confidence and have hired you to translate that for them….
#12 by Beverly on June 2, 2010 - 5:35 pm
I’m a web developer and I build spaces online. It’s better to present one whole plan. Have wriggle room for some nuanced changes, making the client feel involved. Also, because the client knows herself best, and we as designers are not perfect, flexibility is important; however, I get paid to sift through choices, and I make a bigger profit when my presentation is in alignment with her vision.
#13 by Yvonne Jacobs on June 7, 2010 - 11:23 pm
I love presenting to a client! This is where it all starts to happen for me. In the beginning I can really see the project going in a couple different directions, I love giving ‘limited’ options that I know I could stand behind. As the presentation progresses it becomes clear what the favorite/right answer is! Great prospective everyone.
#14 by John Smith on June 8, 2010 - 4:12 pm
KISS is what I go by.
#15 by carpet cleaning columbia mo on January 7, 2011 - 3:27 am
It’s better to ask your client’s perspective on certain designs. If they are unsure of which design they will apply, then it’s about time to suggest minimal designs. If they suggest to spice up or add more stuffs on it, then try to ask probing questions why it is necessary to add or tweak some designs – what its relevance. Learn their preferences; listen to what they want and suggestions while working on it. Always, please them, or else you might lose your bread and butter.
#16 by Greg Smith on May 19, 2011 - 3:10 am
Your post is brilliant. The question of passion and choosing one design over another is something I consider almost an insult to a designer. I would be very clear and straight to the heart when presenting all of your designs. Each will hold something special, the solution is what is special to the client? This is where their choice and preference becomes important. Also, if you can squeeze passion from the client, then their solution will be simple.
#17 by Sally Book on August 5, 2011 - 1:38 pm
You raise some good points in this post. I would personally prefer to see one design from you, if I were your customer. I would then know that you, as the professional, feel that the design you have given me is the one where the most work has been put in, rather than 3 or 4 half-hearted ones designs.
#18 by Carpet Cleaner + Geo on October 13, 2011 - 1:43 am
Interior designing has been so tough to accomplish today. But as what I have read from the article I was so inspired of knowing that interior designing has influenced so much life. We all know that interior designing requires a keen design to come up on a unique style. A carpet or any floor decoration could enhance the uniqueness of the interior design.