10 reasons why clients should have their nephew design their website
1. He has Photoshop, Dude.
Their nephew has a hacked version of Photoshop 7 that he pulled off of The Pirate Bay. That’s as good as any up to date design program you have, I assure you. He also is amazing at making reflections and stuff in there so, you’re already a step behind.
2. He’s Cheaper and/or Free
Let’s face it, good design costs money. When the clients nephew works for pizza or just a family favor his cost is already way less than you can conceive. He has no overhead because this is just a hobby. It’s also important to note that his quality will be better because he “knows”.
3. He provides unlimited revisions
That’s pretty self explanatory, you can’t even compete with that.
4. He has a longer client relationship than you’ll ever have
Their nephew has known them since he was born and well, you just met them. So, don’t take it to hard when you realize that they already have a lifetime of first hand experience with the client. The client saw their first steps. What did you see? Their poorly designed website and inquired about the re-design?
5. He will be praised at Christmas dinner (Where you won’t be)
What better time to haggle and praise him than at Christmas. His parents will be so proud that he is still working on this amazing site that they’ll brag about him to all the family. Heck, even the client will be there. You can’t offer this kind of service so, just hang it up already.
6. He’ll make the logo…well, bigger
He knows everything about the web already. He knows that a logo is better when it’s the biggest possible thing on the screen. Plus, he’s not afraid to make it bigger than you’re ever willing to make it.
7. He has Photoshop, Remember?
Again, Photoshop. He has it.
8. He practically created the interwebs
He’s had all kinds of classes in school like intro to keyboarding. He was basically around when Al Gore created the internet so, he knows all the tricks. He doesn’t even bother with SEO because capital letters are “teh suck“.
9.This Technically accurate list post says so
Because we know, that you know, we know. Ya know?
10. He has a Myspace account
Myspace is social media at its finest. He doesn’t have a twitter account or a website or waste time on analytics. He just puts up on myspace that he is a designer and viola. He is. Because out of all his 62 creepy old guy Myspace friends they’ll give him more traffic than you ever could through campaigns or any other well designed campaign launch.
Chad Engle is the Editor of Fuel Your Creativity. He is a freelance designer & creative. He listens to some music and tweets. He is now hailing from the Charleston, SC area. You should follow him on twitter at @chadengle and @fuelcreativity . Don’t be afraid, he doesn’t bite.
Grab the Feed
You guys are missing the point. When a client wants to use his nephew, that is a good thing. You just saved yourself months of hassle and headache. If a client doesn’t understand your value, RUN FOR THE HILLS!
Funny article.
Nice post Chad and incredible images! I also would have opted for animated gifs and would have added some music for the finishing touch. ;)
Recognizing when clients are going to be “clients from hell” is tough to do… and harder when they wave a check in your face. Kudos to those designers that can skip the headaches.
“..I also would have opted for animated gifs…”
Especially the kind that glitter!
love this article it is very funny.
Nice one. Maybe you should have mentioned Geocities in there but perhaps the feel of all the images is veering towards Geocities anyway.
I think you should qualify it with YNMV (your nephew may vary). Seriously I don’t think every nephew or niece could be this bad and I am sure there are some very good young web designers.
Funny. What, no blinking text?
#11 No formal training means he can be more creative because he’s not burdened by usability or coding best practices.
#12 Extensive use of Comic Sans.
Hah, classic.
So true! The images and headings say it all!
I was the nephew for the longest time. I am proud to say that most of my web designs looked like those headers!
Agree with Wes, some animated gifs and music would’ve made this ‘great’!
good one : )
True!…
I hate nephews! :)
LOL that sure is a funny picture. Thx for sharing it! =)
So true about PS. Good post!
This happened to me just today, hahaha. Damn it.
:) really enjoyable post, and it actually tells the truth. Damn those nephews!
Funny and interesting article. Very enjoyable reading this post. Great article!
Classic!! :)
Hilarious article, and a bit sad if you’ve met clients with such a “creative” family member (ugh)
I disagree with #1 though, kids these days have the latest pirated software installed, and that nephew probably is more up to date in the software department than most pros. NOT the point i know, but.. just sayin’ :D
Wow that’s totaly true, i’ll have my next websitte done by my nephew design! LOL!!!
Oh how many times I’ve come across these excuses! Honestly there is no answer to any of them, that will keep them as a client.
I like point 3. We all know that clients hate revisions!
The ironic thing about it all is that when any freelancer started out…they were that kid (to some extent). Doing anything you can to get work (free or cheap was better than nothing). Learning about the industry from whatever means. So ironically, every designer started out as that kid, just saying.
But I do love the article.
So true…There’s one or dozen clients I have right now I’d like to send to their nephew’s…gladly
hahaha, that really funny but it was happen in my situation…
client always want free/cheaper service, so why we open the business? is it for charity…hahaha
Haha, very nice list :D
LOVE the images. Brilliant!
Unfortunately, I was the nephew old drunken Uncle “Touchy” always cornered to do a logo for his bi-annual new business. I had to fake my own death to escape further requests.
lol But, what if you’re the nephew?… hahaha :)
Funny… I often come up against ‘nephews’ in projects. “Go with them if you like” I say, “but here’s my number for when it doesn’t work out”
:)