please be more specific than just "design-based"

Designing process? Working as a designer? Tips/tricks of the trade?

The subject is so broad and that's why I'm having trouble. ..

oh

yeah I know what you mean

I havent updated my design blog in like a month ....

so when you think of something, let me know, I'll blog about it too

oh that's easy... it's a topic i've been thinking about for a long time...

Everyone, even my clients, think they're better designers than the person they're paying to design

If I tell a sales person my ideas on how they could sell more clients - i'd get shot....

However, sales people have no problem telling me what should go where, which font to use, etc.

I know what you mean Apple....

I design the look of web sites from scratch, as long as my mgr tells me what he's after and who the target audience is..

Right, a personal trainer or massage therapist, think they know how to design. I'd NEVER tell them how to train / massage somebody.

The point is - everyone thinks they can design - and they should stay the hell out of our business!

geekinheels - you hit on a topic that a lot of us graphic designers face every day. We bascially have to create something good from nothing

...nothing more than an idea that comes from a marketing person who doesn't have a clue on how to make it look....tough job.

As I read somewhere in an article - "designing is HARD".

It is hard, but it would be easier if people with no design background or experience would realize - they've got no background or experience