Today's dialogue is about client(freelance client/officeboss/superiors/editors/etc) - us(designers/illustrators/mangaka,etc)relationship. This post is inspired by the newly debate..errr.. or should I say a dissatisfaction report turns into a big rage from our dear artistic community started by Bayou.

read his story first
[link]

So...The clients, who are they? What have they done to you that make you crazy? Why are you sticking to them, nonetheless all the pressure they put into you?

A love-hate relationship I must say.

OK, here's one of my weirdest/strangest conversation I have had with a client that sent me into sleepless nights of thinking and thinking and thinking..and as a 3rd party, you may judge does it worth to be crazy because of this client?

(in a meeting after a previous request of sample character design for children story books, cartoon style design of a rabbit was instructed in the request)
Me      : Here it is...
Client  : ........... not quite what we're looking for..we need ..ummm... This doesn't  look like a rabbit at all! .......
Me      : ......................

I got turned down for that project. And I was silent after his remark. I said nothing. I didn't do any defenses, because I thought what good it would be? I was wondering, if my rabbit (similar to my [link]) doesn't look like a real rabbit, then does Mickey look like a real mouse? What the heck is Goofy, then? I KNOW it doesn't look like a real rabbit, I MADE it that way intentionally!! You requested cartoon style, remember?  

So,

from my experience and Bayou's, what lessons have you learned? What's your opinion? Am I a big cry baby who refuses to introspect and train myself more, or have clients been evolving into some kind of lunatic drunk and I didn't realize it?

Share your thoughts and experience! I want to hear from international friends too! What happened there? Is it the same?   

* thank you Bayou for giving me the courage to bring this topic up. I was afraid for some time. You are the Che of our world!! Viva la revolution!