“3D design tools help convince clients? I don’t need CGI for that! My work will speak for itself,” – you might think. If you do – you are in for a surprise! For as much as we’d like to agree, experience says otherwise. Presenting the project and being a good negotiator is a matter of survival for a designer. As a 3D rendering company, we’ve helped many brilliant interior designers prepare materials for all kinds of negotiations. This way, we know how many challenges they face and can advise on how to overcome them. So, how does one convince a difficult customer? Let’s see.
Explain Why the Idea Is Wrong: A Question of Responsibility
In general, the work of interior designers consists of two main tasks: the creation of a professional design and ensuring that the customer is happy with the result.
One might think that these tasks are interdependent and that the first criterion automatically leads to the second one. Most of the time, that’s not how things happen. In real life, you might have to stay awake at night, eyes bloodshot, trying to figure out how to incorporate all the wishes of the client. As a result, the latter is unhappy with the outcome since they weren’t sure what they wanted.
Quite often, customers interfere with the design insisting on ideas that might not fit into the overall concept. Another option – you realize that the idea they want to incorporate will prevent you from achieving the desired effect. What should you do?
Obviously, your main objective is to deliver the project to the customer’s satisfaction. Which is why you agree to all their ideas, even the most unreasonable ones. However, this way, you are unable to create the best interior design for that particular task. As a result, you may lose the project. Or, even worse, get negative feedback from the disgruntled customer. Your reputation is at stake here, for you will be the one to take all the blame. This is why it is in the designer’s best interest to know how to present, convince, and negotiate.
How can a designer explain that their option will work best without hurting anyone’s feelings? Take a look at these 7 recommendations and see how to convince, develop, and realize a high-quality design.
How to Discuss Design Projects with Customers
#1. Individual Approach
To convince a person, seek to understand. Every designer should be a good psychologist. It’s vital to understand people and listen carefully to what they say. Only then you will be able to create a comfortable and unique interior design. This is why it is so useful to learn about their personality as much as possible – their habits, rhythm of life, and so on.
#2. Present With Confidence
Having developed a design project, be sure that this is the best option possible. Your task now is to transmit this confidence to the customer. In order to achieve that, inspire them by being enthusiastic about the concept. The following phrases, pronounced calmly and confidently, will help you to make an impact and be persuasive:
- The designer can see a few steps ahead…
- Having combined all your wishes…
- Please try to be patient till you see the result
- Have faith in me and my experience – I know it will work out.
#3. Simplify and Educate
When you get to know them, formulate your ideas using their own words and concepts; avoid talking shop and going into things like design theory and coloristics.
However, if the client likes going into detail, then, by all means, do explain. That is, talk not only about the emotional part but about the theoretical foundations for a decision being discussed.
#4. Let the Customer Know That Their Opinion Matters
Ask your customer for advice as often as possible on small things like “how to make it better”. Make them feel involved, for they will live in the interior developed.
This little trick will help you get on the right side of them and win their trust. Moreover, when a person pays for a service, they either want to get the result straight away or feel in control of the project. By doing this, you will make them comfortable.
#5. Choose Materials and Decor Together With the Client
The best option would be to take the customer to the store and pick all you need for renovations. This way, they can feel the fabrics, sit in the armchair, and see the tiles for the bathroom for themselves.
#6. Make Your Presentation Visually Powerful
To agree on the developed project, you need to make the concept perfectly clear. Of course, you can do it by using mood boards, collages, and sketches. They sure can inspire the customer but will not allow them to form a crystal clear picture of the outcome they will get (which might lead to unpleasant consequences in the future). But 3D design tools, such as a quality photorealistic architectural visualization, can do just that! It is more persuasive than a thousand words and promises. Consider getting different types of 3D rendering, 3D models, or animation. As experience shows, even the most stubborn person can be persuaded with a 360 view of your interior design or even a virtual tour!
#7. You Are Convincing When You Are Calm
If the arguments do not work, the main thing is to listen and keep things positive. How can you prove you know better? Remember the previous paragraph. Just show them photorealistic 3D design tools, preferably static renders, with the interior design ideas you oppose. Seeing the outcome usually makes things clear. As a result, these tools can save a designer from a “bad” design and customer dissatisfaction.
That is why we strongly recommend you not underestimate the benefits of CGI for the presentation of an interior design concept. Don’t have enough time for doing a 3D design? That’s not a problem — hire professionals to do a 3D model render for you. The visualizers at ArchiСGI company will gladly help! You will be able to control the process of 3D modeling at every step of the way.
Just like a designer, a 3D visualizer is an artist with their own style. Working with ArchiCGI company, you get the opportunity to choose your personal visualizer. Have a look at the visualization and modeling projects of our 3D artists in our portfolio!
But, there is always a possibility that there will still be some controversial moments that cannot be conveyed using 3D design tools. What to do then?
Time To Give Up? Not Yet!
Here are a few strategies you can use to cope with a difficult situation.
Strategy 1: Find a Compromise
Take into consideration the client’s opinion. If his idea doesn’t violate norms for building construction and does not contradict the interior concept developed, try to use it. It’s good to keep an open mind, as it may result in some pretty interesting ideas. Better still, you can incorporate this idea after improving it and adjusting to design rules.
Strategy 2: To Convince the Customer, Challenge Them
Indeed, in order to make things right, designers can do even more. Take full responsibility for the outcome of your idea. If you are 100% sure about your interior design, promise the client that if they don’t like the result of your project, you will realize the implementation of their idea at your own expense. And having seen the concept realized, people usually don’t want to change a thing.
To sum up, we hope that our advice will help you to master the art of persuasion and make a convincing pitch. When working with particularly stubborn people, however, use the power of 3D design tools. Consider getting interior and exterior visualization, 3D model or animation, 360 views of your design concept, or a virtual tour. It can make a huge difference and win the presentation for you!
Present your architectural project like a work of art with AI-powered CGI
Our team will be happy to help you. Contact ArchiCGI to order 3D rendering services – start using 3D design tools to make your presentation breathtaking and visually powerful.
We wish you the most interesting projects and easy negotiations!
Irma Prus
Content Writer, Copywriter
Irma writes articles and marketing copy for ArchiCGI. Her dream is that more people discover the power of CGI for architecture. Irma is into neuromarketing, ruby chocolate and Doctor Who series.
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