I’ve been spending a lot of time thinking about the relationship between the client and the designer. As with any relationship, it’s a delicate thing that constantly requires nurturing and the clarification of roles. How to go about doing this is something that is learned with time and experience. Although each client is going to require a different approach, what remains constant is the importance of making sure both the designer and the client understand what is expected of them.

In this 1993 interview, Steve Jobs discusses what it was like to work with Paul Rand. In it Steve says of Paul, “I asked him if he would come up with a few options, and he said, ‘No, I will solve your problem for you and you will pay me. You don’t have to use the solution. If you want options go talk to other people.’”

The quote seems to resonate with a lot of designers, as a quick search of ‘Paul Rand’s Next Logo’ yields quite a few results that reference it. While some would say it’s a stunning example of the confidence of a master, I’d say, instead, that it’s the natural wisdom of a master. Paul’s response left no room for misunderstanding about what his job was as a designer. The client not only understood but also respected him for the clarity, thus allowing for what must have been a great working experience.

Also, there’s a great thread on LogoDesignLove about this video and the designer/client relationship. Check it here.