The solution is usually to allow the client more access to the process -- using early planning meetings to nail the objectives, and being fairly open about the creative tools and techniques. Chris's response (way back there); someone who understands design the way that he seems to is unlikely to say; 'how about beige?' AFTER a workable presentation. If beige important to Chris, I think he would have written it into the brief, and he doesn't sound like somebody who will throw random ideas in at innapropriate stages -- or ask the advice of his neighbours without a fairly good reason. The bottom line, though, IS, "the customer is always right," and an equally old adege in sales is, "win the argument; lose a sale." The important question to keep in mind is; 'do I want this client?' and be guided by the answer. October 23rd, 2007 at 11:16 am Mr Fnortner says: Having read through all these posts, and Eric K's responses to them, I now have a more developed understanding of his perspective on applying design expertise in client sessions. Still, however, it's not obvious that our author is clearly on the side of artisan versus artist. We, all of us who are not starving for our art, produce works for hire. Graphic artist or architect, aircraft engineer or data analyst, package designer or landscaper, photographer or fashion designer, we all work not for ourselves but for someone else that we must make happy. The only one in