3 Tips for providing your designer with helpful feedback

TAKE YOUR TIME. When you receive a proof, take time to look over it carefully before replying. Don’t rush into requesting changes without thinking it through. It is often best to allow some time to go do other things before coming back to it and tearing it apart, instead of obsessing about it. Does it feel off for some reason and you can’t put your finger on why? Here are some things to look at to help guide you: Is the style what you were expecting/wanting? Do the fonts and design elements create a cohesive design? Is the text readable? Do the colors work well together? Is the design saying what you want it to say (not necessarily the text)? Remember, it’s okay if you don’t reply immediately!

BE SPECIFIC, YET ALLOW CREATIVE LICENSE. I’ll let you in on a little secret… most of us designers love to be given a little creative license. On the other hand, your designer (should) want to know exactly what you like and don’t like about the design being presented because ultimately a happy client is what we are working toward. In giving feedback on a design, be specific about what it is you like and don’t like, instead of saying that you’re not happy with it and don’t know what should be changed (if you’re at that place, go back and re-read the first tip). If you still can’t decide why it doesn’t feel right, talk to your designer about it. They should have the tools to ask you the necessary questions to help you get to the point of knowing what isn’t right. Now there is a very fine line here… micromanaging the project is not a good approach, but it’s important that you are also clear about what changes you would like to see. If the designer missed the mark entirely, unfortunately this happens sometimes, take a look again at what you are wanting. Go through Pinterest or search google for designs that you like and can be used as inspiration and send them to your designer. (This is a really good thing to do before ever meeting with the designer.) In using inspiration in this way, be specific about what you like and don’t like. Of course, trust is at the core of all of this. Do you trust the designer you are working with to do a good job? Do you trust their taste and knowledge about the project they are working on for you?

SEND CHANGES IN ONE EMAIL (if possible). It helps the designer feel confident that you thought through the changes you are requesting. Once again, tip number 1! It also helps avoid confusion. Receiving a flurry of conflicting emails leaves the designer feeling overwhelmed and unsure of when to begin on the changes for fear of starting on something and then being told to do it differently. Now if you forgot to mention something, do not hesitate to let the designer know.

So there you have it! Three tips for providing your designer with helpful feedback.

I’d love to hear from you. Was this helpful? What would you like to hear more of? Leave a comment.