WR: I should just let this go, right?

[HoneySpider]

My boss asked me to create a brochure to use for marketing our program this year. No problem. Made the brochure, worked hard on it, was really happy with how it came out. Boss had some minor changes but overall was good with it. Boss then tells me I have to send to marketing/communications dept on campus for their approval. Not sure why (never did this is my old job in another dept) but to make her happy I did.

Well mar/comm totally redid the design. I wasn't asking for design help, I was asking for approval on content/use of logo/etc. which I made clear in my request. I don't hate the new design, but I like mine better and I am annoyed that they went and redid my hard work just because they had a different vision.

I want to write something snarky back about not looking for design work and has my original idea been approved. But, I should just let this go, right? Chances are it is going to create a problem if I push back. It's bothering me so I'm having a hard time just accepting it and moving on...

[LoveTrains]

I would let it go. If they are in charge of the overall visual standards for the school, then they didn't like your design.

Sorry, I know it sucks, but I would let it go. But if I was your boss and you pushed back after getting a new design from the university marketing office I would be really pissed.

[Deleted]

I would absolutely let it go and wouldn't be at all offended or bothered by what they did. They may have graphical standards that they want to use for those types of communications so everything coming out of the school looks the same.

[Deleted]

That sucks. I've had that happen and I hate it.

But I would let it go. I'd be afraid of it coming back to bite me in the ass.

[vanillacourage]

Yeah, I can't imagine that marketing at a large company is ok with random employees doing brochures. Your boss should not have just set you loose on the design without first getting a layout from them. You need to let this go and not take it personally - your company has hired the marketing people specifically so that things have a cohesive look. (can you tell I'm in marketing?

And - it's possible that while you liked your brochure, your boss thought it wasn't truly exceptional and suggesting that you "run it past marketing" was a gentle way of telling you that. Sorry, just looking at it from all angles.

[HoneySpider]

Thanks. I think what bothers me is that I have seen some of the garbage produced by people on this campus that clearly was not looked at/redone but is being distributed. There's no real standard in terms of design, just official colors, how you can use the logo, etc (which I am aware of).

[Deleted]

Oct 3, 2012 9:48:56 GMT -5 HoneySpider said:

Thanks. I think what bothers me is that I have seen some of the garbage produced by people on this campus that clearly was not looked at/redone but is being distributed. There's no real standard in terms of design, just official colors, how you can use the logo, etc (which I am aware of).

Maybe they're trying to be better about that going forward, so that garbage/stuff that hasn't been looked at isn't being distributed?

[vanillacourage]

Oct 3, 2012 9:48:56 GMT -5 HoneySpider said:

Thanks. I think what bothers me is that I have seen some of the garbage produced by people on this campus that clearly was not looked at/redone but is being distributed. There's no real standard in terms of design, just official colors, how you can use the logo, etc (which I am aware of).

Then, it's possible that the higher-ups have noticed this, and your marketing people have been given a specific mandate to clamp down.

[HoneySpider]

Oct 3, 2012 9:48:54 GMT -5 vanillacourage said:

Yeah, I can't imagine that marketing at a large company is ok with random employees doing brochures. Your boss should not have just set you loose on the design without first getting a layout from them. You need to let this go and not take it personally - your company has hired the marketing people specifically so that things have a cohesive look. (can you tell I'm in marketing?

And - it's possible that while you liked your brochure, your boss thought it wasn't truly exceptional and suggesting that you "run it past marketing" was a gentle way of telling you that. Sorry, just looking at it from all angles.

Yeah I am a marketing person too - there is a dept for the university but many depts and colleges on campus have their own people as well, and for my program, that is part of my job. I understand where you are coming from though.

[heyrebekah]

Oct 3, 2012 9:48:56 GMT -5 HoneySpider said:

Thanks. I think what bothers me is that I have seen some of the garbage produced by people on this campus that clearly was not looked at/redone but is being distributed.

Although I'm sure your design was nice, they probably just wanted it to look similar to other pieces. And I bet the other garbage you mention really frustrates the hell out of the marketing department but they have to focus on what people do run past them.

[HoneySpider]

Ok, thanks everyone for confirming what I thought. Time to move on

[pitterwoo]

I've had this happen too. In my case and sounds like yours too it's just the personal opinion of the person who's tinkering with the material and has nothing to do with them actually improving it or using a standard. I only pushed back once and that was because what they created was so bad I was embarrassed to use it and be associated with it. I agree that you have to just let it go and you can just know that your design was fab and it's their loss.

[phunluvin82]

Oct 3, 2012 9:47:31 GMT -5 @vicmo said:

Does your college (? company?) have an official branding policy? Chances are that the mar/comm people weren't doing it to mess with your design, but to make it fit the regulated design standards. My previous company (acctg firm) went through a rebranding thing a few years ago, and we had to redesign everything, including powerpoint presentations, to fit the new brand (which was, frankly, ugly).

Yes, my college is the same way. It sucks for creative purposes...but they have people hired specifically for this purpose...to make sure that everything coming from the school looks consistent.

[HoneySpider]

Oct 3, 2012 10:08:14 GMT -5 pitterwoo said:

I've had this happen too. In my case and sounds like yours too it's just the personal opinion of the person who's tinkering with the material and has nothing to do with them actually improving it or using a standard. I only pushed back once and that was because what they created was so bad I was embarrassed to use it and be associated with it. I agree that you have to just let it go and you can just know that your design was fab and it's their loss.

The bolded is pretty much how I feel. This is one reason I hate design - people have different visions! Oh well.

[kcd0531]

Oct 3, 2012 10:25:46 GMT -5 HoneySpider said:

Oct 3, 2012 10:08:14 GMT -5 pitterwoo said:

I've had this happen too. In my case and sounds like yours too it's just the personal opinion of the person who's tinkering with the material and has nothing to do with them actually improving it or using a standard. I only pushed back once and that was because what they created was so bad I was embarrassed to use it and be associated with it. I agree that you have to just let it go and you can just know that your design was fab and it's their loss.

The bolded is pretty much how I feel. This is one reason I hate design - people have different visions! Oh well.

You've gotten plenty of good advice; I'm just going to commiserate. Can't tell you how many times I've smh when I've seen misc. fliers, posters, etc. come out of my company that never went through our department and been absolutely horrified. Style guides; necessities not niceties. Unless, of course, you work here.