Hi guys. I need some advice on this one.
I try to get some freelance industrial design business up and running.
Although I’ve had luck having several potential clients contact me, it hasn’t turned into a job yet. The conversation dies out in the initial phase.
I lately got the thought that I may scare the clients away with, to me, relevant questions regarding their projects.
I just feel that I need to know the information I ask in order to create a successful project.
A case:
I’ve been contacted by a company that wants me to design a, lets say, bag.
In their initial mail they stated they “would like to have our design made which will be unique, user friendly, easy to carry and stack.”
Very general, if you ask me.
I then asked:
“1. Who’s the target group? E.g. Children, young people, adults?
2. What’s the intended use? E.g. school, work, hiking, travel?
3. What’s the expected quantity?
4. What makes this bag better than all the existing bags? Price, functionality, design?”
Their answers:
“1. It should be something which usable to all different age groups.
2. Similar to “an existing product that they refers to”, more all round, this way we sell the same item to a broader target group.
3. As a trial order we are thinking of starting with 2000 pcs and then increase depending on the demand.
4. Good Unique design, good quality, safe and user friendly at a decent price.”
It feels to me that they really don’t know what they want their bag to be. In my eyes it going to be a tough, if not impossible, game to make a unique, quality, safe, user friendly bag for all age groups at a decent price.
I’ve been schooled, and have a personal belief, that it’s important to have a specific target group, know exactly how the new product is going to differentiate from the existing products and have a quite good idea about the cost price limit. It is just vital information for making the best design. I might be wrong.
Now is the time when I typically start to ask what they mean by “unique”, which level the “decent price” is at, and try to explain that it doesn’t really make sense to design a bag that 12 year old Tommy think is cool and at the same time is user friendly to his 83 year old grandma.
What is your thought on this?
I try to create a good base for the project, but I might appear rude?
Do you deliver designs based on this level of information?
Do you teach your clients to make a proper and more specific brief?
I look forward to hear about your experience, because I’m getting a bit confused about this.
Thanks on beforehand.
Best regards,