If roles are clearly defined, the goals are set, and the direction of the project has been determined, there is less potential for frustration. If the timing is also clearly defined, both sides have enough space to prepare for the next milestone. Creatives work on the practical part of the project while their clients can initiate necessary launch requirements, planning of events, press, or similar.

Make sure that all valid questions concerning the budget, the timing, and the management have been clarified. Talking about these things openly beforehand, and making a contract prevents conflict and frustration.

As a creative you fulfill many roles: You have to analyze and research. You have to communicate with customers and colleagues. You have to create head space, much like meditation, to get the creative juices flowing, and come up with the right ideas.

It is good to know that creative work is not simply sitting down and getting through it. Creative people often work subconsciously. Our brain forms ideas while jogging, shopping, having a beer with friends or even reading a book. Being a creative you should be aware that forming ideas in your spare time is actual work. Be mindfull with your time off.

Think about what makes you totter, regardless of whether you are a client or a creative. Which situation creates stress? Build a strategy in your process plan that counteracts. Regardless of whether it's timing, spamming with unnecessary mails, or too many calls — address these things openly in a friendly manner.

In creative work, it is not only the constructive feedback from customers that shapes our job. The "inner critic" is the little voice inside your head that encourages you or holds you back. "You are not good enough. You are not ready yet. You have never done something like this before. How are you going to do this?" — Although this voice is just a mental protection mechanism that wants to prevent harm and hurt, it is not always our best friend. How do we deal with this voice if it's a real fucker?

— Give the voice a name.
— Try to feel how this voice speaks to you.
— Is the voice caring? Aggressive? Encouraging?
— Would you like to be friends with this voice?
— What would your best friend say in your defense?

The creative mind is always working. Because the best ideas don't necessarily come at your desk while working in a computer program.

As a creative, set up clear boundaries between working hours and private time. A creative mind has to be able to calm down and switch off at some point, otherwise you will quickly start to burn out emotionally. Talking to clients should therefore happen within working hours only. An outlet to relax the mind could be walking, meditation, exercise, cooking, or anything that personally gives you energy.

Already mentioned before: expectations. They come up when we are evaluating the results of a creative project: the draft. Being a client, did you have something very specific in mind? Is the result different? Is it exactly what you imagined? Is the result even better than your expectations?

The more you have outlined a strategy, direction and method beforehand, the fewer potential disappointments can occur.

Also, check how you assess the project. Is it just gut feeling? Based on personal taste? And is that even relevant? Or is it possible that exactly that what you didn't excpect actually works better? A look at the strategy paper can quickly clarify if the work has been done due, and whether it will work according to the master plan.

If your creative has not hit the right note in the first go, I recommend returning to the strategic phase. Continuing to designing just to feelings is never expedient, and will be like "pinning the tail to the donky in the dark".

A creative projects needs a lot of hours. A logo is never designed in two hours at the desk. The right copy is never written just in five minutes. Creative work is concept, idea, craft and time of reflexion. This has to be honored with a fair payment.

As a creative, be fair to yourself and don't sell too cheaply. By taking your value down you will also have difficulties to set up boundaries in the rest of the project, and in the future. If you're paying peanuts you're getting monkeys.

As a client, please assess what this investment means to you. A creative project is always an increase in value and perspective for future business developments. Don't let creatives gamble for your job. Set realistic budgets instead that both sides can plan fairly upon.

If a project is at the next milestone, I recommend a joint meeting in which you all can evaluate the outcome. Perhaps a few new tendencies have developed in the process or new directions have come up.

Communicate openly and with respect: praise, appreciation, enthusiasm. But also: things that can be optimized, small changes in the process or in the method.

As a creative and client, you have to be frank to yourself: You are working with another human being who can never function like a robot, and depends upon communication, feelings and learning. Perceive each other as a valuable being, give each other the necessary space, and be grateful for a thriving collaboration.