Clients:
Rule #1: Know what you want before you contact the designer. You don't need to know the entire layout or exactly what graphics you want but atleast have a fucking clue on colors and feel.
Rule #2: Don't contact your designer when you needed the job done yesterday and then bitch when your project is behind schedule. Poor planning and project execution is not the designers fault. Look inward before blaming outward.
Rule #3: Good design isn't cheap and cheap design isn't good.
Designers:
Rule #1: Don't promise what you cannot deliver. There are plenty of design jobs in the sea, if you don't have time for one then let the client know asap so they can get another designer on the project.
Rule #2: Please and Thank You go a long way. Treat the client with respect and LISTEN to what they are telling you about the design they want.
Rule #3: When in doubt, contact the client. Ask questions. It is going to save you time in the long run. I prefer to work alongside the clients I work for. It makes it easier on me to show them an example early on in the project before I have spent hours on something. If you are designing a page with a header logo, it is much easier to make the logo and show the client the design right away. This way if there are any color issues or style problems they can be dealt with before tackling the rest of the page.
Finally, the golden rule:
When you owe someone money, pay them. You know who you are and you know what I mean. Pay me my fucking money or take down the design. You have had 3 days and I am over waiting on you. Pay me now or your name goes out.
