How to Get a Design Proposal Accepted: Get Inside Your Client's Head

So you've spent a lot of time as an interior designer putting together a great client proposal. You've done the shopping, your homework has been flawless, your creative shines through each element of the design you're giving to your client - but something is wrong! Your client isn't budging. They want to see more chairs (after you've showed them every chair in your local showrooms) or they're balking about the budget, or the color's not quite right, or.... What's a designer to do?

I tried tackling this all-too-common issue for interior designers (and other creative businesspeople who are trying to cater to the custom design needs of their clients) and wrote an article for the Williams-Sonoma Designer Marketplace Blog called Why You Should Care (a Lot) About Getting Inside Your Client's Head. Click on the link and enjoy. Please tell me what you think and leave a comment on the W-S blog - and look through the blog as it's a great resource for design lovers.

If you're interested in learning more about how to take your creative interests to the next level, we encourage you to explore the Sheffield School, New York, NY. Sheffield began as an Interior Design school in 1985, and then expanded our course offerings to train people in other design-related fields, including Feng Shui, Wedding and Event Planning, and Jewelry Design. With thousands of active students and more than 50,000 graduates, Sheffield has trained more design professionals than any school in the world.

Request a free Sheffield School catalog describing our distance education courses.

Subscribe to the Sheffield Designer newsletter.

NJ Wedding Photographer's Best Proposal Ever Contest

Photograph by Je Revele Fine Art Photography

Wedding time is in the air. I just received a clever promotional email from Je Revele Fine Art Photography in New Jersey, and to help promote their Facebook page and increase their "Likes," they're running a fun contest: What's the Best Marriage Proposal Ever? The Je Revele folks remind us that more engagements happen in the period between Thanksgiving and Valentine's Day, and they're running this contest to help us take advantage of all the proposals from family and friends that we have fresh in mind. Here's what the contest is all about, and note that to see the full rules, you need to click on the photographer's Facebook link and "Like" them. (Hey, it's good to show a little "Like love" for such a fun contest!)

Photograph by Je Revele Fine Art PhotographyFIRST. Submit the story of your proposal or a friend's story with a photo (any photo) to info@jerevele.com. Don't forget, to qualify, they need (1) your story, and (2) any photo of the couple emailed to info@jerevele.com. They could be married 50 years, 10 years, or newly engaged. No restrictions there.

SECOND. Je Revele will narrow submissions down to a few nominees.

 

THIRD. Now, they'd like you to vote on your favorite proposal. Ask your family and friends, to vote too. The more, the merrier.  For the couple with the most votes (LIKES), the winning client shall receive a $500 studio credit at Je Revele.

 

Click here for contest details. 
To submit your story, email info@jerevele.com 

Voting will end on Midnight, February 28, 2013.

 

Sheffield School began as an Interior Design school in 1985, and then expanded our course offerings to train people in other design-related fields, including Feng Shui, Wedding and Event Planning, and Jewelry Design. With thousands of active students and more than 50,000 graduates, Sheffield has trained more design professionals than any school in the world.

Request a free Sheffield School catalog describing our distance education courses.

Subscribe to the Sheffield Designer newsletter.

Valentine's Day Wedding Proposal

We’ve chatted about Caroline Tran’s Propel Workshops. They’re such an amazing experience for photographers and some of the best photo sessions come from it - like this sweet one inspired by Merrill + Tim’s actual proposal story. He planned a valentine’s themed proposal with a ring in a box and an accordion style card that asked her to be his valentine forever. Happy Valentine's Day!

Photographers: Meg Runion Studios, Aileen Garcia Studio, Melanie Gabrielle, Hunter Photographic,Hanbee Photography, He & Tiffany

Designer/Stylist: Lovely Jubilee  / Hair & Makeup: Theresa Huang Makeup & Hair Design / Florist:Krista Jon / Rentals: Archive Vintage Rentals / Merrill’s outfit: Ruche / Heart Garland & Confetti: the Path Less Traveled

Thanks to 100 Layer Cake for their beautiful photographs, posts, and wedding and event inspiration. 100 Layer Cake is a unique, comprehensive wedding and event planning resource for and by thoughtful, crafty modern women. Their vendors, projects, weddings, resources, sponsors, and marketplace are hand-picked and thoroughly researched with the hope that every single one is a truly unique addition to both your wedding and your planning process. Visit the 100 Layer Cake website today.

 Sheffield School began as an Interior Design school in 1985, and then expanded our course offerings to train people in other design-related fields, including Feng Shui, Wedding and Event Planning, and Jewelry Design. With thousands of active students and more than 50,000 graduates, Sheffield has trained more design professionals than any school in the world.

Request a free Sheffield School catalog describing our distance education courses.

Subscribe to the Sheffield Designer newsletter.