You’ve finally finished the design work that your client approached you for, and it’s time for them to meet you and your company. Presenting design work to clients isn’t the last step of your partnership, but it’s essential to prove that you’re the right choice and you’re professional. But how can you showcase the work you’ve done for the client?
Tips on Presenting Design Work to Clients
1. Show Compelling Graphics
Just because you’re done with the design doesn’t mean it’s all good, and you can show it to the client ASAP. Remember, you have to make it presentable to your client. And many designers do layouts or get inspiration from templates or other designs on how they can make their designs look good. You could look at websites like Behance and Dribbble to see how designers publish their portfolios. There are some considerations here.
For example, your arrangement is to submit graphics to the client via email or file-sharing service. While it’s better to show your graphics through video or in-person, this scenario can happen. Your option is to provide them with an organized file showing your proposed designs.
If you’re going for an in-person presentation, you can print out a copy of your designs or show it through a Powerpoint presentation.
2. Tell a Story
Remember show and tell? When you present a design, you don’t present ONLY the design. Your clients don’t expect to understand your rationale or logic behind the design you made. One way in presenting design work to clients is to tell them a story.
What led you to design this particular piece? Why are there specific elements that may not make sense at first glance? Why use these colors instead of the ones suggested or recommended?
Giving them context through a story will help your clients better understand why you landed on this design.
3. Introduce the Problem and Provide the Solution
Design can also solve current problems. With your company tasked with a rebranding or a new product design, you can create a presentation where you point out issues then provide better design solutions. If it’s a rebranding, you can show a before and after and persuade the client to choose the brand new design.
Let’s say your client will sell products, and they need a packaging design. Make sure that you have considered product specifications like size, material, structure, and so much more. Not only that, but ensure that the packaging design you’ll provide the client will also integrate branding. After all, what you want to happen is for their products to stand out from their competitors.
4. Prepare Different Design Options
Great design is subjective. Sometimes the client may have an idea of what they want at first but may change their mind once they see the design. During the planning and designing phase, it’s always best to show different options.
One strategy to consider is having a designer’s version, the client’s version, and the best design option. Who knows? The client may end up liking versions they weren’t expecting. And it’s good you have prepared selections, which tells the client you have different interpretations of their design brief or idea.
5. Integrate Feedback
Your first meeting in presenting design work to clients may not be the last. After all, clients may not immediately like the designs you prepared for them. In your next presentation, you should take note of all the feedback they gave you. This gesture lets them know that they play a big part in the design process too.
6. Present it Step-by-Step
Aside from telling a story, you can also provide a step-by-step process on why you landed on a particular design. You can do this through video, maybe, where one of your designers uses a graphic design software when they start designing a draft until the finished product. It’s one way to help clients understand your thought and design process. In turn, the client can provide detailed feedback and go back to a step they may not understand.
It’s also great if you can present documentation of what you’ve done. This shows that you have been careful with planning. From the aesthetics and mood boards to sketches and drafts, your clients will even appreciate your eye for detail and hard work. Plus, they will know of all the details and rationale that made you decide to present this specific design.
7. Make it an Engaging and Welcoming Event
Clients may lose interest if the presentation is a simple show and tell. What if you could take it up a notch by making it engaging and allowing them to participate in your presentation? For example, you can have VR glasses or let them play games during your presentation. This is ideal for in-person events, which can heighten the experience.
Another thing you can consider is to make your client comfortable. You can serve them some sweets or snacks during the presentation to make them feel appreciated and welcomed. It can create a light atmosphere where everyone is at ease.
8. Provide Real-Life Uses or Applications
Don’t show only the designs in your presentations. Impress your clients by applying the designs already. For example, your client requested a website design. What you can do here is have a running demo website for them to try out. You may ask for help from an experienced web developer to make this happen, but they will know what to expect before the launch.
You can prepare printed materials like business cards or packaging labels, for example. A sample will do, and your client can provide insightful feedback on how you can further modify the original design.
