1 Mar 2026
29: Clients Behaving Badly
In this episode, Loren and Tillie crack open one of the most relatable topics in the creative service world: clients behaving badly — and yes, we mean everything from mildly annoying to “I’m about to yeet my laptop out a second-storey window”.
We talk about why working with people is both the best and worst part of the job, and how client chaos isn’t always coming directly from the client — sometimes it’s the printers, third parties, or “helpful” outsiders who derail the process and create unnecessary stress.
From there, we dive into the biggest client red flags we’ve learned to spot over time: the ones who don’t know what they want (but will “know it when they see it”), the ones who know what they want too much, and the clients who really just want someone to execute their idea — not hire a designer for strategic expertise. We unpack that tricky balance between collaboration and boundaries, and why it’s a gut-punch when you realise you’re being paid as a pixel pusher instead of a creative partner.
We also rant (lovingly) about one of the greatest design crimes of all time: external feedback from mums, besties, Facebook groups and random strangers who are not the target audience. Because if your brand direction is being decided by people who aren’t buying from you… babe, what are we doing?
Then we move into a true horror story: clients paying for branding, loving the final work… and then applying it badly. Filters, colour changes, logo mangling, drop shadows (BLASPHEMY), and ignoring the brand guidelines entirely. We make the case for “What Would My Designer Do?” stickers, because honestly, the world needs them.
The episode wraps with a big reminder: good boundaries and strong processes protect everyone — you don’t have to work with every client, and saying “no” is sometimes the most professional thing you can do.
And as a final plot twist, Loren receives an email mid-recording from a long-term client of five years who’s decided to take over her own email marketing to “avoid extra costs” — despite Loren repeatedly recommending the exact strategy the client now wants to implement. We unpack the weird emotional weight of letting go of long-standing clients, and why releasing stagnant work can create space for better-aligned opportunities.
If you’ve ever dealt with nightmare feedback, brand guideline crimes, or clients who want you to replicate an AI-generated logo… this episode is for you.
