potential client wants graphics overkill...

I'm an very close to the begging stage.

[mack]

A potential client gave me some ideas of what they want on their site. It included a large bright logo (that flashes) several very anoying animated gifs and, belive it or not background music. The entire idea just reminds me of what I was doing 4 years ago, to be honest I don't want to go down that road again.

I explained that the site would look very dated because it is using a lot of technics that are in fact very old. They totaly disagree. They seam to think the animated gifs are the future. Im close to the stage of going down on my knees and saying "noooooooooooooooooooo" I honestly think they belive that this would be a modern looking interactive site.

What I suggest is a logo to suit their bricks and mortal loge. Simplistic design with very minimal graphics. NO SOUND.... with an emphasis on ease of use and navigation.

Ok lets imagine this is your client, how do you talk them round?

A lot of people might think, it is their site do what they want and get paid for it. To be honest I dont want to put my name to a shamm :)

your opinions please. :)

Mack.

[ControlZ]

Been in a similar situation before. Convincing the ignorant will not work. Complete the site to the best of your ability, collect your fee and leave your name off the site and out of your portfolio.

[sleepy_kiwi]

A real conflict:

On one hand: I just dont know whether I could do it... it would feel self defeating, would not assist my client (no matter what they think) and goes against all that my business stands for...

On the other: It is business and hence money (yet i would have to go along with ControlZ - create and forget, no mention anywhere)

However there may be a number of other approaches you could try first.

1. Put together a page or two illustrating both your idea and theirs - maybe they will see the light when compared together?

2. Show them examples (from the web) of sites that use their approach - unfortunately not hard to find at all

3. Find artciles / research from the field of usability and design that disagree with their approach.

~sleepy

[mack]

I think i will construct 2 sample pages. Nice tip sleepy_kiwi.

Perhaps that will make them see the light :)

Mack.

[cfx211]

There are some categories on the web that in general are still very hokey and I think that everyone involved (users and site owners) are happy with that style. I am thinking mainly of certain b2c sites that target the arts and crafts world.

What type of market is this site in? If everyone else in the field has grown up then maybe showing them their competitors' sites might help.

[martinibuster]

Disclaimer: No offense to porn site operators intended-

But someone else, in answer to a similar question, once suggested to tell them that their proposal would make their site resemble a porn site.

I really dislike it when a client meddles in my business. It's disrespectful, demonstrates a lack of confidence in your abilities, and more likely than not, in my experience, they have a hard time accepting anything beyond their Frontpage web page template collection.

Be sure to put a 2 revision clause in your contract so they don't get into the endless revision cycle with you.