demographics second-guess the visual approach taken by the designer to
the target consumer?
Mr. Arrington believes that the plan trumps all voices. His article ends with a
very assertive video about winners and losers. Most creatives choose to let
it wash over them and collect their pay check. I suppose I don’t agree
because I haven’t seen many pay checks made out to “Dance, monkey,
dance!”
What’s The Solution?
From all the responses and stories, it seems there are few ways to live with
the design-by-committee lifestyle. Suggesting what a marketing plan or
piece of copy is missing or implying that the secretary is unable to spell will
only get you pegged as “difficult” and make you appear as though you
“overstep boundaries.” Asking a non-creative who gives you excruciating
input why they think you’re incapable of doing your job will brand you as
“defensive” and “combative.” Give in, and you’ll earn descriptions like
“flexible” and “easy to direct.”
The sensible answer is to listen, absorb, discuss, be able to defend any
design decision with clarity and reason, know when to pick your battles and
know when to let go.
A photographer I know once said, “I’ll give the model a big mole on her
face, and the committee focuses on that and are usually satisfied with the
momentous change of removing it and leave everything else as is.”
Whether you’re on staff or freelance, the political dance of correctness and
cooperation brings a new story and new experience every day. And isn’t
that one of the great things about this business... even if it goes around