In class today, we held a class discussion about the reading assignment. It covered four different ways of approaching a design problem, the four being: user-centered design (UCD), activity-centered design, system design, and genius design. Although Saffer barely touched on the topic of intertwining some of the techniques, we believe the most successful designs come from those that do so.
We as designers must satisfy the needs of a client. However, some clients believe they know exactly what they want, or exactly what it takes to make a successful design, and this may not be the best solution for the problem. So, how do we approach the situation? The best way, in my opinion, is to present three or four options... one of which is exactly what the client had previously requested, while the other two or three are your take on the problem. They may see that your design is really what they want and go with it, or, worst case, they go with their "well thought out" design. At this point, it would be best to suck it up and set your pride aside for one project. Although we hope that this isn't the case, it does happen in the field many times.
Another option would be to present some research (if time is not an option...). Show the client who is doing the same thing and which ones are having success while others are failures. Saffer states that "the user is always right", but the user doesn't always know what is best.
If they did, then why would they be paying a designer to tell them otherwise?
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