Larry Geiger communication design

Question: Did you ever create something without thinking too much about it, and the result was, in your own (not) humble opinion just right? It can be a great feeling and for creative people, it provides fuel for the creative fire. You are pleased that the muse visited you, you are now ready to share the love with your client.

I created this graphic for Zion Rootswear over a year ago. I am kind of fond of it ... so attached to it in fact, that I was sure the client would choose this design and move it into production mode and be sold at major retailers throughout the country. (I have made many illustrations/designs for them). It was developed for their ladies line of shirts as a prototype. The approval process involved the sales team, which gives the final say ... yeah or neigh ... I was certain that a yeah would be heard and that I would soon move on to high resolution production mode on this simple, lovely Marley tee. My ego got the best of me ...

The design was rejected and I could not understand why. It was perfect. But, it was perfect to me, not the client. They know their business well and gauge the temperature, pulse, and weight of the market and the needs of the buyers that they work with. They have a solid understanding of that side of their business and what will sell. The muse is not important to the customer, it is the bottom line ... as it should be.

In order for a designer to succeed in business, it is important to let go of the love/attachment you may have for your work. Definitely stand behind all of your work and back it up, but there are never enough questions to ask and intelligence to gather to properly provide your client with their best work. The feedback I received on this design was that Bob Marley's face was just not that recognizable. How simple and true.

I love the moments when I create great work and my customers feel the vibe too. But it does not happen all the time, it is a process. I held on the fact that the Marley prototype was flawless and everyone should see it that way, but as the Buddhist teacher Goenka states:"Grasping at things can only yield one of two results: Either the thing you are grasping at disappears, or you yourself disappear. It is only a matter of which occurs first."