Working with clients is at the heart of creative work — but it’s not always smooth sailing. From impossible deadlines to shifting briefs, from unfiltered feedback to outright bullying, the client–creative relationship can be one of the most rewarding yet most challenging parts of the job.

This category is about helping you navigate that fine line between delivering great work and protecting your own wellbeing. Here, we talk about setting clear boundaries without damaging relationships, pushing back on unrealistic demands, and knowing when it’s time to walk away from a toxic client. We explore how to handle feedback — from the constructive to the crushing — and how to filter advice so it actually helps your work rather than derails it.

Through candid conversations with industry leaders and guidance from mental health experts, these articles offer practical tools for managing tricky personalities, communicating confidently, and keeping client relationships healthy. You’ll also find strategies for reclaiming your time, energy, and creative focus when projects start to take more than they give.

Whether you’re just starting out and unsure how to say no, or a seasoned pro looking to strengthen your boundaries, this is your space to learn how to work with clients in a way that’s productive, respectful, and sustainable — for both sides.

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