At times, a client may request a curve. Stay calm. Remember your training. Calmly explain that that would conflict with the design vocabulary. Remind the client that rectilinear forms are a sign of strength, firmness, commodity, and yes, delight. Stay strong.

At times, the client will mention that they have a nephew in the design field. And, maybe we should get their input. Stay strong. Remember your training. Under no circumstances should you consult with them. They’re probably a graphic designer anyway. Maybe even a web designer.

At times, a client may not like the design. Stay strong. Remember your training. It’s not the design that needs to change. It’s the client’s opinion of the design that needs to change. Focus on explaining the design philosophy again. Wave your arms around.

At times, the client may not understand the design intent. Stay calm. Remember your training. Develop a new series of diagrams to explain the design. Perhaps a detailed, fully rendered series of elevations. Ideally, these should be high contrast black and white views only in 2d.

At times, a client may question your fees. Stay strong. Remember your training. Fees represent the time you spent on the client’s project, time that could have been spent on other, more worthy projects. Projects where the clients don’t question your hourly rate. Focus on those.

At times, your project may come in over budget when the bids are tallied. Stay calm. Remember your training. Your project is not over budget. The budget is under your project. Hold your head high.

At times, a client may request additional options to review. Stay calm. Remember your training. Know that the first option is always the purest representation of the design idea. All other options are simplifications and are derivative. Bill accordingly.

At times, the client may have a good suggestion to improve the design. Don’t be persuaded. Stick to your principles. You define the design vocabulary. Not the client. Listen to the client’s suggestions. Tell them you’ll explore those ideas. Do not explore those ideas.