7 Tips for Providing Your Designer With Helpful Feedback

As a designer, there is nothing more frustrating than putting hours into a piece, or a couple of pieces, and sending it to the customer just for them to say they don't like it with no reasoning whatsoever. As a customer, it is frustrating to not be able to say what you want changed, because you just can't put it into words; or my favorite, "I just have to see it to know". Well I'm here to give 7 tips to the customer on how they can communicate more effectively with their designer in order to get the design they want. Happy designer = happy customer.

Tip #1: Go in with a vision and a plan for what you are wanting.

Bring in pictures, examples, references, ANYTHING to help your designer see what you are envisioning. They cannot read your mind. Bring what you don't want, and what you do want to the table. This step is so important, especially for those people who have to see it to know what they want. I've even had customers bring in a simple 5 minute sketch they did with references to help capture what is in there mind.

Tip #2: Don't get mad during the revision phase. Ask questions and point things out.

The worst thing anyone can do when a design comes back to them is get angry at the designer. They are doing their best to create what you want with what you provided them. If all you provided them was a generic description, then I'm sorry, you are in for a whirl wind of revisions. Ask questions like, "How can I get my concept that is in my head across more clearly for you?" or "What can I provide you so we can be on the same page with the design concept?" Talking it out instead of getting angry is always the best route to get to the end goal.

Tip #3: Have meaningful discussions when meeting with your designer.

Don't waste the designers time when you meet with them. If they sent you the design in advance, come prepared with questions, changes, etc. Don't sit there and say "I love it!" only to send them an email later with changes. Always be up front. The designer wants to provide you with your dream design, they don't need you to coddle them. That being said, take the route of constructive criticism when critiquing.

Tip #4: Always follow up a meeting with the changes you are wanting.

The designer is listening, writing and drawing the changes you want and sometimes that can be overwhelming. They might miss something said. Always follow up a meeting thanking them for their time, and writing down the changes you discussed. That way, you have a paper trail of clear information going from customer to designer.

Tip #5: Understand that most designers will charge for excessive changes.

This is something a lot of people don't understand. Designers aren't just there to CONSTANTLY change every little thing for the base price they are charging. Most designers will charge for excessive changes. This usually is up to the designer after how many major changes are made. Don't be shocked if they say that to you up front when you are trying to book them for their time.

Tip #6: Don't hate on their design process.

In my previous article I went over my design process. Depending on the artist, everyone's process is different. Don't try to correct them on what they do, how they do what they do, or criticize them on how they finish your product. You hired them because of the work they have created, so trust the process for them to create your design.

Tip #7: Work with the artist, not against them.

When hiring a designer, a painter, a digital artist, etc. work WITH them, not against them. I mean this by saying be a cooperative client. If they ask for half payment up front, and the rest when finished, don't argue. If they ask for you to provide more information, provide it. At the end of the day, they want to create your piece, regardless of what it is. Yes, you are there customer and they should give you what you ask for, but sometimes more information or sources are needed. So be patient, be kind, and most of all, be professional. Just because the create artistically does not make them any less of a professional, so treat them with that respect.

Those are just some of my tips for clients when working with designers, because it is definitely a different experience than most would think. So go out there and get you some beautiful art or graphics or 3D renderings made!

Sincerely,

Just Your Average Graphic Designer in totally Digital World

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