Ever order something online and realize the picture did a lot more explaining than the description? Design projects can feel a little like that when everyone assumes they’re picturing the same thing. Spoiler: sometimes we’re not.

QUESTIONS ARE PART OF THE WORK

Before I start designing, I want to know what the piece needs to accomplish, where it will appear, who will see it, and what absolutely cannot change.

Those questions aren’t busywork. They help me make choices that support the business instead of creating something that simply looks nice on my screen.

CLEAR FEEDBACK MAKES BETTER DESIGN

One of the most helpful things someone can say isn’t “make it pop.” (That phrase has had quite a career.) It’s something specific, like “The headline needs more attention” or “This image doesn’t feel like our brand.”

I also appreciate revisions in writing. We can absolutely talk through ideas, but having the details written down keeps everyone on the same page and helps avoid the classic “Wait, I thought we decided…” moment.

APPROVAL SHOULD FEEL SIMPLE

When I present a design, I want the next step to be clear. Are we reviewing the overall direction? Checking the details? Or approving the finished piece? Those are three different conversations.

Here’s a useful tip if you’re preparing to work with a designer: write one sentence describing what your finished piece needs to communicate. Not everything you want it to contain—just the most important message.

That single sentence can guide decisions from the first concept to the final proof. It might even save us from another round of “Can we make that a little bigger?”

Have a project coming up? I’d love to help turn your ideas into a design that looks great and communicates clearly.

#GraphicDesign #CreativeProcess #DesignCommunication #SmallBusinessMarketing #ChattanoogaDesigner #MarcusHardawayDesign