Also per other comments, OP, don't just presume and start working unless you like redoing everything you just worked on with no compensation. Get clear guidance and specs. Get a deposit and a contract too, while you're at it -- the contract having specifics on deliverables.
Is there a language barrier? Try to get a mockup or other example of the product...
Many clients don't know how to communicate their wishes, and many designers don't know how to deal with that. The trick is to first help the client visualise the final product.
If they are unable to give you anything, there might not be a final product, e.g., they're trying to scam you or test you for some dubious reasons.
Take time to learn about their business, if it's worth it. If not, move on to the next client.
In the end, you'd want to be able to produce something that the client wants and will use properly.
Send her something in writing that states the assumptions you’re working from.
For example, “I am going to make a one-pager flyer for 8 1/2”x11” paper, with printing on the front and back. Please let me know by tomorrow if that is not what is needed. After the first draft, if we have to reformat, it that will require additional hours above my initial estimate.”
Once you’ve sent that, you’re covered. They will either clarify or you will do what you say. If they change their mind later, you’ve laid the groundwork to charge more money for the time it takes you to reformat it.
Conversation, questions, suggestions.
That is part of the “discovery” process.
If she can’t articulate anything useful, you can suggest a scope that will include a coupla of different draft ideas.
*You* need to control the process.
You can’t - they need to in one way or another give you a briefing or have a meeting where you guide them to answers. If it’s because it’s secret, then say you will sign an NDA.
Else you might as well ask a carpenter to build a house but not specify what kind of house it should be.
If they want creative development, make them pay pr hour.
Else just politely fire them as a client.
Ask questions and be persistent about it. Some clients don't know any better than assumr you're capable of doing everything on your own. You are capable, but might have to redo everything once they finally put their two cents in.
Clients can be terrible at communicating what they want sometimes. A lot of time they don't really know until they see it. Some people just aren't good at visualizing. Asking lots of questions helps. Giving them some general examples might help too - "What are you intending to use this for? If it's a brochure, would you like a tri-fold like this? Or maybe something like this." Just a couple of simple mock-ups can help them visualize things better.
Even when you take the time to do all this, they sometimes still change the game plan on you. I had a client a few weeks ago who wanted four of his assets marketed in one document, which was standard practice for us. I set it up that way. Then he came back and asked for them to have individual documents, as well as the one combined one.
It's the first time in almost 20 years of work that I've been asked to do that. It's a really stupid idea, because we ended up 350 total pages worth of documents and nobody is going to take the time to read all that mess. And it messed me up because he asked for all of this at the last-minute, instead of letting me know upfront. But he was the client, so I had to do what he said.
Clients hire graphic designers as marketing specialists. It is our job to advise the client what a piece should look like.
And you don't just give them one option. The industry standard is to supply three different design options then make edits to the one they choose.
I abhor when a client comes to me and tells me what something should look like. Not only does it belittle my education experience and push me into the role of only being a mouse pusher doing what I'm told, but it also stifles creativity and forces new issues of trying to figure out if they are using terminology correctly and if they actually want 70s style, which was heavy in geometry or if they actually meant 60s psychedelic style.
The only time in my career that I ever wanted to be told what to do is when I was young, lacking in experience, eager to prove myself, and fear of failure was high.
If you don't already know what would be an appropriate range of styles for this client's pieces, start doing some research.
You need to ask. Thats the job. If they’re refusing to work with you, fire them as a client.
Also per other comments, OP, don't just presume and start working unless you like redoing everything you just worked on with no compensation. Get clear guidance and specs. Get a deposit and a contract too, while you're at it -- the contract having specifics on deliverables.
Is there a language barrier? Try to get a mockup or other example of the product... Many clients don't know how to communicate their wishes, and many designers don't know how to deal with that. The trick is to first help the client visualise the final product. If they are unable to give you anything, there might not be a final product, e.g., they're trying to scam you or test you for some dubious reasons. Take time to learn about their business, if it's worth it. If not, move on to the next client. In the end, you'd want to be able to produce something that the client wants and will use properly.
Send her something in writing that states the assumptions you’re working from. For example, “I am going to make a one-pager flyer for 8 1/2”x11” paper, with printing on the front and back. Please let me know by tomorrow if that is not what is needed. After the first draft, if we have to reformat, it that will require additional hours above my initial estimate.” Once you’ve sent that, you’re covered. They will either clarify or you will do what you say. If they change their mind later, you’ve laid the groundwork to charge more money for the time it takes you to reformat it.
You talk to your client? This shouldn’t be that hard…
Conversation, questions, suggestions. That is part of the “discovery” process. If she can’t articulate anything useful, you can suggest a scope that will include a coupla of different draft ideas. *You* need to control the process.
She probably doesn’t know so that’s why she got a designer in. Just do what you feel is most appropriate and she’ll probably be blown away.
You can’t - they need to in one way or another give you a briefing or have a meeting where you guide them to answers. If it’s because it’s secret, then say you will sign an NDA. Else you might as well ask a carpenter to build a house but not specify what kind of house it should be. If they want creative development, make them pay pr hour. Else just politely fire them as a client.
Ask questions and be persistent about it. Some clients don't know any better than assumr you're capable of doing everything on your own. You are capable, but might have to redo everything once they finally put their two cents in.
Clients can be terrible at communicating what they want sometimes. A lot of time they don't really know until they see it. Some people just aren't good at visualizing. Asking lots of questions helps. Giving them some general examples might help too - "What are you intending to use this for? If it's a brochure, would you like a tri-fold like this? Or maybe something like this." Just a couple of simple mock-ups can help them visualize things better. Even when you take the time to do all this, they sometimes still change the game plan on you. I had a client a few weeks ago who wanted four of his assets marketed in one document, which was standard practice for us. I set it up that way. Then he came back and asked for them to have individual documents, as well as the one combined one. It's the first time in almost 20 years of work that I've been asked to do that. It's a really stupid idea, because we ended up 350 total pages worth of documents and nobody is going to take the time to read all that mess. And it messed me up because he asked for all of this at the last-minute, instead of letting me know upfront. But he was the client, so I had to do what he said.
Clients who do not or can not provide you with a clear brief will always be right, and you will always be wrong.
Clients hire graphic designers as marketing specialists. It is our job to advise the client what a piece should look like. And you don't just give them one option. The industry standard is to supply three different design options then make edits to the one they choose. I abhor when a client comes to me and tells me what something should look like. Not only does it belittle my education experience and push me into the role of only being a mouse pusher doing what I'm told, but it also stifles creativity and forces new issues of trying to figure out if they are using terminology correctly and if they actually want 70s style, which was heavy in geometry or if they actually meant 60s psychedelic style. The only time in my career that I ever wanted to be told what to do is when I was young, lacking in experience, eager to prove myself, and fear of failure was high. If you don't already know what would be an appropriate range of styles for this client's pieces, start doing some research.