How to Communicate Effectively with Your Designer: Skip the Guesswork and Get What You Want

I recently came across a post where someone was pulling their hair out, struggling to explain what they wanted to their designer. They were stressed, and honestly, I couldn’t blame them. The comment section? It was straight comedy. People were throwing out every suggestion under the sun: "Make a list of all the things you like," "Create a whole mood board," "Get poetic really express the vibe you're going for." It was overwhelming.

And it hit me: people are overcomplicating this. It’s like someone saying, “I want to make fried chicken,” and then getting step-by-step advice on starting a farm, raising chickens, and even buying a deep fryer. The person just wanted some drumsticks! Let’s keep it simple and effective. When it comes to getting the right design for your brand—whether it’s a graphic, a website, or a funnel—the approach can be straightforward.

Here’s a better way to communicate your vision to a designer without all the confusion.

1. Start with Visual Examples: A Picture Really Is Worth a Thousand Words

If you’re struggling to find the right words to explain what you want, don’t stress. Just find a few visuals. Think of it this way: there’s probably something out there that made you think, “Wow, I want my brand to look like that.” Perfect. Take a screenshot, grab the link, and share that with your designer.

The key here? Don’t go overboard. Send two or three strong examples, tops. Designers are visual thinkers, and having a couple of clear visuals helps them identify patterns, styles, and elements you’re drawn to without overwhelming them. Whether it’s a website you admire, a brand aesthetic, or even just the color palette from a logo you really like, designers can analyze what these examples have in common and adapt it to fit your brand’s unique voice.

2. Explain What You Like (But Don’t Over-Explain)

A good designer knows how to take inspiration from references and create something original. All you have to do is mention what you love about each example. Is it the bold typography, the minimalist layout, or maybe the color palette? A quick sentence about each one can be super helpful and goes a long way.

Avoid being too prescriptive. Saying, “I want a header exactly like this one” might limit the designer’s creativity. Instead, try, “I love the clean look of this header and the way it draws attention to the main message.” When you let the designer interpret your style preferences with some flexibility, you’re likely to get a design that’s more creative and tailored to your brand than just a copy.

3. Provide Context About Your Brand

Visuals are crucial, but they don’t tell the whole story. Giving your designer context about your brand’s purpose and personality will make a huge difference. For instance:

• Who’s your audience? A designer will approach a product aimed at Gen Z differently than one aimed at entrepreneurs over 40.

• What’s the vibe? Are you a luxury brand or more grassroots and approachable? Even adjectives like “bold,” “sleek,” “playful,” or “authentic” can help your designer get in tune with your brand’s aesthetic.

• What are your goals? Knowing if you’re trying to build trust, increase engagement, or make a hard sell will help your designer create visuals that align with those goals.

  
  

This way, your designer isn’t just designing based on style—they’re designing based on what your brand represents and what it’s trying to accomplish.

4. Trust the Process and Allow for Feedback Rounds

Design isn’t magic; it’s a process. Designers are professionals trained to take your input and build something effective from it, but they need your guidance through feedback. According to research on creative collaboration by Adobe and other industry studies, constructive feedback can make a world of difference. For example, if the initial draft isn’t quite right, that’s okay. Offer specific feedback on what’s working and what’s not, and keep it short and clear. Saying, “The colors are a bit too bright for our brand” is far more helpful than “It doesn’t feel right.”

Remember that designers expect to refine their work, and they can adjust based on what resonates with you.

5. Avoid the Laundry List of “Do’s and Don’ts”

One of the fastest ways to create a headache (for both you and your designer) is to overwhelm the project with a list of hyper-specific do’s and don’ts. Giving a designer 30 different design references, a long list of “must-haves,” and a ton of details you want them to include is like sending them to a buffet with only 15 minutes to eat. It’s too much to digest and will likely create confusion.

Instead, keep it focused. Stick to a few key design references, mention what you love, and leave room for your designer to interpret. Creative professionals thrive when they have guidance without micromanagement. Remember: you don’t have to start a farm to fry some chicken—and you don’t need a detailed laundry list to get a great design.

Collaborate Without Complicating

Communicating with a designer doesn’t need to be hard. Use visuals to show what you like, offer a few words about your brand’s style, and give focused feedback when drafts come in. Trust that your designer knows how to take what you love and build something new and unique.

Because, at the end of the day, designers want to make your brand shine. They just need a few key pieces from you to turn your ideas into something tangible. So next time you’re setting up a project, remember: show, don’t tell—at least not too much. And let the magic happen...