Scrivs / Severity: Warning
Message: strtotime(): It is not safe to rely on the system's timezone settings. You are *required* to use the date.timezone setting or the date_default_timezone_set() function. In case you used any of those methods and you are still getting this warning, you most likely misspelled the timezone identifier. We selected 'America/Los_Angeles' for 'PST/-8.0/no DST' instead
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I started a forum topic last week that seems to have gotten lost in the transition of data, but I said nothing more than this.
Your site > client’s site. Why?
It was purposefully vague because I wanted designers to go into their own heads to see what is going on. I expected to hear the same excuses (yes, I am going to call them excuses) because it is what brings some people comfort. The client pays the bills. The client doesn’t listen. The client doesn’t understand the value of quality content and having a good content strategy before you even open Photoshop. Blah, blah, blah.
If you want to be a professional then start acting like one. Have some balls with what you do. If you know something is wrong then speak up. If you know that isn’t how you want to go about doing things then let them know. You became a freelancer to have a bit more control over your life and most of you hand it over to someone else just because they say they are paying. Well they will probably pay no matter what, but you think you have to succumb to their wishes simply because it’s easier to get that check.
Steve Jobs wanted Paul Rand to design the logo for NeXT and this is the exchange that happened.
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. And you don’t have to use the solution — if you want options, go talk to other people. But I’ll solve your problem for you the best way I know how, and you use it or not, that’s up to you — you’re the client — but you pay me.’
If the next site you design isn’t the best one of your portfolio then don’t blame the client, blame yourself. You let them get away with not handing over any content to you. You let them get away with making changes that made no sense from a design standpoint.
If your site is better than your client’s site because it uses a cool new technology and took you five years to make then I can understand, but if it’s better because you felt like you had more freedom then you failed yourself. Step up to the plate and take control of your design life.
All of this is easier said than done, but if someone doesn’t tell you to finally do it then you never will. If you want to get pushed around by other people you might as well get a corporate job so you can get some insurance and benefits.
dbushell wrote this Severity: Warning
Message: strtotime(): It is not safe to rely on the system's timezone settings. You are *required* to use the date.timezone setting or the date_default_timezone_set() function. In case you used any of those methods and you are still getting this warning, you most likely misspelled the timezone identifier. We selected 'America/Los_Angeles' for 'PST/-8.0/no DST' instead
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That is such a great quote from Paul Rand. If he can stand up to the calibre of Steve Jobs and do his job, what’s the excuse!
jwphillips wrote this Severity: Warning
Message: strtotime(): It is not safe to rely on the system's timezone settings. You are *required* to use the date.timezone setting or the date_default_timezone_set() function. In case you used any of those methods and you are still getting this warning, you most likely misspelled the timezone identifier. We selected 'America/Los_Angeles' for 'PST/-8.0/no DST' instead
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Good stuff here. Part of why I started freelancing outside of my day job is so I can call the shots on how I think projects should be run properly. This means educating the client on how I work, the designs they’ll see, how payments work, etc. etc.
If they don’t like it, they can go elsewhere, but the one thing I said I wouldn’t do is let clients walk all over me and dictate how they think should I, the industry expert, should work. I say no more often than I say yes.
Tyme1 wrote this Severity: Warning
Message: strtotime(): It is not safe to rely on the system's timezone settings. You are *required* to use the date.timezone setting or the date_default_timezone_set() function. In case you used any of those methods and you are still getting this warning, you most likely misspelled the timezone identifier. We selected 'America/Los_Angeles' for 'PST/-8.0/no DST' instead
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They can start by growing a pair and calling themselves what they claim to be: business owners/entrepreneurs. Freelancer is like a cop-out to me. Are you a business owner or not?
I think designers don’t place themselves in the client’s shoes enough. No one likes being told what to do, especially when they are footing the bill. I’ve been in the position where designers took what I wanted and replaced it with what they felt it should be. That’s not their job. The client is trusting the designer with something critical - their site. The design might be the designer’s “baby” but the site is the client’s baby. Don’t forget that.
@jwphillips - The problem is that a good majority of designers aren’t experts. They produce designs that do not perform to expectation even when they call the shots. Look at the quote Scrivs used above: “I WILL solve your problem and you will pay me”. Many designers take that attitude, and do not have the foundation to back it up, will end up starving. Rand had proved himself already, which is why Jobs asked him to design the logo.
One of the reasons why I don’t like Clients From Hell is because most of the scenarios I blame the designer for lack of communication. :(
Mark wrote this Severity: Warning
Message: strtotime(): It is not safe to rely on the system's timezone settings. You are *required* to use the date.timezone setting or the date_default_timezone_set() function. In case you used any of those methods and you are still getting this warning, you most likely misspelled the timezone identifier. We selected 'America/Los_Angeles' for 'PST/-8.0/no DST' instead
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While I agree with the gist of your message here, I don’t think you’ve gone far enough. Before a freelancer / business owner (thank you, Tyme) can just telling a client what they need to do, they need to have some reputation to back it up.
Paul Rand could give Steve Jobs that what for, because…well, he was Paul Rand, with the power of Paul Rand’s experience and portfolio to stand behind.
You’re not Paul Rand.
Doctors and Lawyers and even restaurant owners don’t get the respect they do because they “act” professional. They get it because it’s generally understood by the public what they had to go through to get to where they are—monsterous loans, years of schooling, oaths that they must stand by or get arrested, federal guidelines, regulations, reporting processes, scrutiny…the list goes on. They earned the respect they get; it wasn’t pushed on them by some snot nosed designer who read a book on standards by Zeldman.
When you come to me with your portfolio of successful work done for known companies (who also bring a powerful reputation themselves), then you can start telling me how my website will work. If all you got is Ms. Moppet’s Balloon Decoration of South Wisaki, then you’re gonna give me what I want—and like it.
RSPG wrote this Severity: Warning
Message: strtotime(): It is not safe to rely on the system's timezone settings. You are *required* to use the date.timezone setting or the date_default_timezone_set() function. In case you used any of those methods and you are still getting this warning, you most likely misspelled the timezone identifier. We selected 'America/Los_Angeles' for 'PST/-8.0/no DST' instead
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I think this is a hard topic to speak absolutes on.
“My way or the highway” is obnoxious and disrespectful to clients who have a lot of energy and vision invested in their product, but giving in to a client’s every whim reduces the designer to a tool.
Having worked both freelance and corporate, I don’t see that big a difference in the conversation. They both require a judicious measure of patience and dialogue to make sure everyone’s interests are represented. Its part of the designers job to play into / foster that dialogue in order to arrive at an agreeable solution for all parties. Its rare (ie never) that all of my ideas are used, but you have to chalk it up to experience, and move on with things.
(read: save your ideals for your personal project. Its going to be a game changer, so you won’t be needing those clients anyway, right?).
If the scope creeps too far, put your foot down in the name of the contract, but refusing constructive input on the pretense of your sacred title of designer is just ignorant.
Unless, of course, your name is Paul Rand.
Scrivs wrote this Severity: Warning
Message: strtotime(): It is not safe to rely on the system's timezone settings. You are *required* to use the date.timezone setting or the date_default_timezone_set() function. In case you used any of those methods and you are still getting this warning, you most likely misspelled the timezone identifier. We selected 'America/Los_Angeles' for 'PST/-8.0/no DST' instead
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...a judicious measure of patience and dialogue to make sure everyone’s interests are represented.
That is the key right there and so many freelancers/businesses (whatever term you want to use) overlook this. I’m not saying you have to stomp your foot and make sure everything is done your way. It’s your job to take the input from your client. It’s your job to get ALL the input you need to perform the job you need and get things done right.
Your role isn’t to get some input and then use your imagination to come up with a solution that might or might not work. Your job is to find the one solution that works just right for you and your client. Only a small percentage of designers can reach that.
Mark wrote this Severity: Warning
Message: strtotime(): It is not safe to rely on the system's timezone settings. You are *required* to use the date.timezone setting or the date_default_timezone_set() function. In case you used any of those methods and you are still getting this warning, you most likely misspelled the timezone identifier. We selected 'America/Los_Angeles' for 'PST/-8.0/no DST' instead
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...Only a small percentage of designers can reach that.
All designers can reach it, but like everything, it comes with experience and maturity.
Scrivs wrote this Severity: Warning
Message: strtotime(): It is not safe to rely on the system's timezone settings. You are *required* to use the date.timezone setting or the date_default_timezone_set() function. In case you used any of those methods and you are still getting this warning, you most likely misspelled the timezone identifier. We selected 'America/Los_Angeles' for 'PST/-8.0/no DST' instead
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I really don’t think all can because eventually you need some bit of talent to complement all of the hard work you put in. Hard work alone doesn’t put you at the top. Sounds like another post though…
Tyme1 wrote this Severity: Warning
Message: strtotime(): It is not safe to rely on the system's timezone settings. You are *required* to use the date.timezone setting or the date_default_timezone_set() function. In case you used any of those methods and you are still getting this warning, you most likely misspelled the timezone identifier. We selected 'America/Los_Angeles' for 'PST/-8.0/no DST' instead
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@Mark - I don’t think all designers can reach it in a reasonable amount of time where they would be able to benefit from it. First, they would have to admit there is a problem that needs to be fixed. I’ve been watching for six years and I swear there are some (many…ok most) that have not changed in that time or have gotten worse. Some are so cocky now because of a false inflated reputation (with no true foundation to back it up) that it would take a lot for them to turn around. And fellow designers listen to them which compounds the problem.
The second issue is that these people don’t listen. You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it drink. A ton of designers fall into this category. I’ve seen many conversations where the top designers have tried to educate and interact with the new designers. The new designers try to tell the experienced designers what to do, saying they are out of touch and doing things wrong. There is a disconnect within the community itself.
The third problem is that getting the tools they need to properly compete (this IS business) are the things they complain about and feel they shouldn’t have to do. Very few businesses are hiring designers for a pretty site - they want to it perform, help their business, increase their income and exposure, etc. They are trying to solve a problem. Many of the online designers are focused on looks and their creation over performance and pleasing their client.
For example, right now the big debate is which site is better, Dribs, Forrst, LoveDsgn. Can a lawyer properly defend a client without knowing all the facts? Can a doctor treat a patient without all the facts? Can a chef make a specific dish without all the ingredients? In just about every field the key is knowing all the facts to make an informed decision. Yet, with these sites, designers are making judgments on whether a design is good based on a screenshot and not knowing the purpose or goals of the site. The designers that excel are taking their designs to the target audience expected to use them and optimizing them to please the client and the end user.
Maybe after six years of seeing the same thing over and over again I lost hope but no, I don’t think all designers can reach it. Just like many of the top designers six years ago are not on the top now, the same cycle will repeat.
amberweinberg wrote this Severity: Warning
Message: strtotime(): It is not safe to rely on the system's timezone settings. You are *required* to use the date.timezone setting or the date_default_timezone_set() function. In case you used any of those methods and you are still getting this warning, you most likely misspelled the timezone identifier. We selected 'America/Los_Angeles' for 'PST/-8.0/no DST' instead
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Well said, Scrivs. That Paul Rand quote is one of my favorites. Of course, that being said, if you’re not Paul Rand and you’re a nobody, I don’t think you can always have that attitude ;) Attitude comes with notoriety.
reedjp2 wrote this Severity: Warning
Message: strtotime(): It is not safe to rely on the system's timezone settings. You are *required* to use the date.timezone setting or the date_default_timezone_set() function. In case you used any of those methods and you are still getting this warning, you most likely misspelled the timezone identifier. We selected 'America/Los_Angeles' for 'PST/-8.0/no DST' instead
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Good insight, this is something I struggle with as I’m just trying to get into the freelance business. I don’t want to scare the few clients I have off by explaining to them that their ideas don’t work well. I guess having the experience and the portfolio can make it a little easier.
MattPeacock wrote this Severity: Warning
Message: strtotime(): It is not safe to rely on the system's timezone settings. You are *required* to use the date.timezone setting or the date_default_timezone_set() function. In case you used any of those methods and you are still getting this warning, you most likely misspelled the timezone identifier. We selected 'America/Los_Angeles' for 'PST/-8.0/no DST' instead
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Well, the truth hurts they say but it is often the best way to maximise your clients website. They pay for your expertise and you are the professional. I find the more i learn about the client in the development stage, the better position i am in to be assertive with them about the final product.
Nice article!
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Severity: Warning
Message: strtotime(): It is not safe to rely on the system's timezone settings. You are *required* to use the date.timezone setting or the date_default_timezone_set() function. In case you used any of those methods and you are still getting this warning, you most likely misspelled the timezone identifier. We selected 'America/Los_Angeles' for 'PST/-8.0/no DST' instead
Filename: posts/single.php
Line Number: 120
Severity: Warning
Message: strtotime(): It is not safe to rely on the system's timezone settings. You are *required* to use the date.timezone setting or the date_default_timezone_set() function. In case you used any of those methods and you are still getting this warning, you most likely misspelled the timezone identifier. We selected 'America/Los_Angeles' for 'PST/-8.0/no DST' instead
Filename: posts/single.php
Line Number: 120
Severity: Warning
Message: strtotime(): It is not safe to rely on the system's timezone settings. You are *required* to use the date.timezone setting or the date_default_timezone_set() function. In case you used any of those methods and you are still getting this warning, you most likely misspelled the timezone identifier. We selected 'America/Los_Angeles' for 'PST/-8.0/no DST' instead
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Severity: Warning
Message: strtotime(): It is not safe to rely on the system's timezone settings. You are *required* to use the date.timezone setting or the date_default_timezone_set() function. In case you used any of those methods and you are still getting this warning, you most likely misspelled the timezone identifier. We selected 'America/Los_Angeles' for 'PST/-8.0/no DST' instead
Filename: posts/single.php
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Severity: Warning
Message: strtotime(): It is not safe to rely on the system's timezone settings. You are *required* to use the date.timezone setting or the date_default_timezone_set() function. In case you used any of those methods and you are still getting this warning, you most likely misspelled the timezone identifier. We selected 'America/Los_Angeles' for 'PST/-8.0/no DST' instead
Filename: posts/single.php
Line Number: 120
Severity: Warning
Message: strtotime(): It is not safe to rely on the system's timezone settings. You are *required* to use the date.timezone setting or the date_default_timezone_set() function. In case you used any of those methods and you are still getting this warning, you most likely misspelled the timezone identifier. We selected 'America/Los_Angeles' for 'PST/-8.0/no DST' instead
Filename: posts/single.php
Line Number: 120
Severity: Warning
Message: strtotime(): It is not safe to rely on the system's timezone settings. You are *required* to use the date.timezone setting or the date_default_timezone_set() function. In case you used any of those methods and you are still getting this warning, you most likely misspelled the timezone identifier. We selected 'America/Los_Angeles' for 'PST/-8.0/no DST' instead
Filename: posts/single.php
Line Number: 120
Severity: Warning
Message: strtotime(): It is not safe to rely on the system's timezone settings. You are *required* to use the date.timezone setting or the date_default_timezone_set() function. In case you used any of those methods and you are still getting this warning, you most likely misspelled the timezone identifier. We selected 'America/Los_Angeles' for 'PST/-8.0/no DST' instead
Filename: posts/single.php
Line Number: 120
Severity: Warning
Message: strtotime(): It is not safe to rely on the system's timezone settings. You are *required* to use the date.timezone setting or the date_default_timezone_set() function. In case you used any of those methods and you are still getting this warning, you most likely misspelled the timezone identifier. We selected 'America/Los_Angeles' for 'PST/-8.0/no DST' instead
Filename: posts/single.php
Line Number: 120
Severity: Warning
Message: strtotime(): It is not safe to rely on the system's timezone settings. You are *required* to use the date.timezone setting or the date_default_timezone_set() function. In case you used any of those methods and you are still getting this warning, you most likely misspelled the timezone identifier. We selected 'America/Los_Angeles' for 'PST/-8.0/no DST' instead
Filename: posts/single.php
Line Number: 120
Severity: Warning
Message: strtotime(): It is not safe to rely on the system's timezone settings. You are *required* to use the date.timezone setting or the date_default_timezone_set() function. In case you used any of those methods and you are still getting this warning, you most likely misspelled the timezone identifier. We selected 'America/Los_Angeles' for 'PST/-8.0/no DST' instead
Filename: posts/single.php
Line Number: 120
Severity: Warning
Message: strtotime(): It is not safe to rely on the system's timezone settings. You are *required* to use the date.timezone setting or the date_default_timezone_set() function. In case you used any of those methods and you are still getting this warning, you most likely misspelled the timezone identifier. We selected 'America/Los_Angeles' for 'PST/-8.0/no DST' instead
Filename: posts/single.php
Line Number: 120
Severity: Warning
Message: strtotime(): It is not safe to rely on the system's timezone settings. You are *required* to use the date.timezone setting or the date_default_timezone_set() function. In case you used any of those methods and you are still getting this warning, you most likely misspelled the timezone identifier. We selected 'America/Los_Angeles' for 'PST/-8.0/no DST' instead
Filename: posts/single.php
Line Number: 120
Severity: Warning
Message: strtotime(): It is not safe to rely on the system's timezone settings. You are *required* to use the date.timezone setting or the date_default_timezone_set() function. In case you used any of those methods and you are still getting this warning, you most likely misspelled the timezone identifier. We selected 'America/Los_Angeles' for 'PST/-8.0/no DST' instead
Filename: posts/single.php
Line Number: 120
Severity: Warning
Message: strtotime(): It is not safe to rely on the system's timezone settings. You are *required* to use the date.timezone setting or the date_default_timezone_set() function. In case you used any of those methods and you are still getting this warning, you most likely misspelled the timezone identifier. We selected 'America/Los_Angeles' for 'PST/-8.0/no DST' instead
Filename: posts/single.php
Line Number: 120
Severity: Warning
Message: strtotime(): It is not safe to rely on the system's timezone settings. You are *required* to use the date.timezone setting or the date_default_timezone_set() function. In case you used any of those methods and you are still getting this warning, you most likely misspelled the timezone identifier. We selected 'America/Los_Angeles' for 'PST/-8.0/no DST' instead
Filename: posts/single.php
Line Number: 120
Severity: Warning
Message: strtotime(): It is not safe to rely on the system's timezone settings. You are *required* to use the date.timezone setting or the date_default_timezone_set() function. In case you used any of those methods and you are still getting this warning, you most likely misspelled the timezone identifier. We selected 'America/Los_Angeles' for 'PST/-8.0/no DST' instead
Filename: posts/single.php
Line Number: 120
Severity: Warning
Message: strtotime(): It is not safe to rely on the system's timezone settings. You are *required* to use the date.timezone setting or the date_default_timezone_set() function. In case you used any of those methods and you are still getting this warning, you most likely misspelled the timezone identifier. We selected 'America/Los_Angeles' for 'PST/-8.0/no DST' instead
Filename: posts/single.php
Line Number: 120
Severity: Warning
Message: strtotime(): It is not safe to rely on the system's timezone settings. You are *required* to use the date.timezone setting or the date_default_timezone_set() function. In case you used any of those methods and you are still getting this warning, you most likely misspelled the timezone identifier. We selected 'America/Los_Angeles' for 'PST/-8.0/no DST' instead
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A PHP Error was encountered
Severity: Warning
Message: strtotime(): It is not safe to rely on the system's timezone settings. You are *required* to use the date.timezone setting or the date_default_timezone_set() function. In case you used any of those methods and you are still getting this warning, you most likely misspelled the timezone identifier. We selected 'America/Los_Angeles' for 'PST/-8.0/no DST' instead
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Line Number: 52
Absolutely WONDERFUL post. I love the quote by Paul Rand.
This is something we have been wrestling with due to our current client. We finally did just that. We put our foot down and essentially said “We’re the professional. We give you what’s best for you, not what you want.”
Thanks yet another great article Scrivs!