You're My Favorite Client Quotes

“a designer who says they were “inspired” to do something opens the door for a stakeholder to give feedback that’s just as subjective. Whim begets whim. Now you’ve got a roomful of people arguing about their favorite colors.”
― Mike Monteiro, You're My Favorite Client

“Beware a designer who wants you to like them more than they want to do good work.”
― Mike Monteiro, You're My Favorite Client

“There’s a big difference between defending work, which a designer must know how to do, and being defensive about work, which a designer should never do.”
― Mike Monteiro, You're My Favorite Client

“Here we get to the point: design disasters usually spring from the faulty notion that design is art not craft.”
― Mike Monteiro, You're My Favorite Client

“That’s it: design is the plan that gets us to our goal.”
― Mike Monteiro, You're My Favorite Client

“Research makes it possible to do the right thing. You know who didn’t do research? The stupid little pigs that built their houses out of straw and sticks. They made a great stew. Build your house out of bricks.”
― Mike Monteiro, You're My Favorite Client

“The difference between senior and junior generalists will be somewhat obvious in their portfolios, but unmistakeable in their communication with you.”
― Mike Monteiro, You're My Favorite Client

“The world of advertising, whose list of sins runs deep, has sinned most by branding these people as creatives, which the world of web design sadly adopted as its own. Calling someone a creative doesn’t elevate. It marginalizes.”
― Mike Monteiro, You're My Favorite Client

“It’s all about content, people. Design is what holds it together. So before you drop a chunk of money and time on design, get some writers and content strategists. And beware of people who talk about “consuming content.” No one has ever woken up with the desire to consume content in their life.”
― Mike Monteiro, You're My Favorite Client

“Some designers try to apply the wisdom of Solomon by coming up with a solution so terrible the disagreeing parties have no choice but to finally agree. This never works. And they soon find themselves breathing life into Frankenstein’s monster. A designer should never put something in front of you they don’t stand by.”
― Mike Monteiro, You're My Favorite Client

“The value of good design is the increased possibility of success. We understand its importance in everyday objects like chairs, clothes, watches, coffee makers, and a good mattress. When it comes to websites, we tend to think of design as a surface layer applied at the end. In truth, that website’s design started long ago. It can be intentional or happenstance. For design to be truly great, you need to build it into your projects from conception. Because if you’re not doing it, you can bet your competitors are.”
― Mike Monteiro, You're My Favorite Client