You're faced with a client request that defies industry norms. How can you creatively solve this challenge?

Count your lucky stars — this is great news and the foundations for a terrific project outcome. Embrace the more radical approach and push. You may need to include some aspects of sector behaviours to anchor the work and make it believable — if you have a radical look, the tone of voice may need to be more traditional (for example).

Your approach is spot on. By showing curiosity and asking probing questions, we not only gain a deeper understanding of the client's true motivations but also build trust and open the door to more meaningful conversations. Once we understand the core issue they’re trying to solve, we can explore alternatives or even refine their proposed solution to better align with industry standards while still addressing their needs. This method also positions us as a partner in their success rather than just a service provider.

When faced with a client request that defies industry norms, it's crucial to approach the situation with a blend of creativity, strategic thinking, and practicality. Here’s a structured approach to creatively solve such challenges: Understand the Client’s Core Needs Research and Benchmark Assess Feasibility Explore Creative Solutions Leverage Technology Consult with Experts Develop a Risk Management Plan Communicate and Align Document and Iterate Showcase the Outcome By approaching the challenge with a structured and creative mindset, you can not only address the client’s unique request but also potentially set new industry standards or practices.

Acknowledge the client’s vision while explaining industry norms for their benefit. Propose an innovative solution that blends their request with best practices. Offer visual examples to showcase how creativity can align with standards, ensuring both originality and effectiveness.

Ask detailed questions to fully understand why they want something outside of industry standards. This will help you identify their core objectives. Politely explain any risks or challenges associated with deviating from industry norms. Offer innovative alternatives that achieve similar results in a more acceptable way- research alternative and find middle ground that maintain quality, compliance, and efficiency.

Forget about brainstorming and jump to another level with more advanced, dynamic and motivating techniques to consider other creative alternatives. My recommendation for this is to use the creativity technique called Gamestorming.

We will never find the perfect solution, so the important thing is to create and test. From there, iteration is what allows us to integrate feedback from the market and the consumer to make evolutions and versions that reach a higher level of quality and usability.