If you’ve ever hired a graphic designer or managed a team of graphic designers, you know that giving feedback is an integral part of the design process. However, giving feedback can be a game of back and forth if not done correctly. You might also feel uncomfortable giving feedback to a graphic designer if you’ve never done it before — which is why we’re here to help! We want you to feel confident going into a meeting with your graphic designer so let’s get started learning how to provide feedback!
Fabricio Teixeira, Design Director at Work & Co., says, “You show the work. People comment. You learn about what their needs are.” It may sound simple, but this can cause many problems with the design process if feedback isn’t given or taken correctly. When talking about taking feedback, Teixeria goes on to say, “Taking feedback as constructive criticism will help you eventually see the faults in your work and make you both a stronger designer and collaborator.”
So let’s look at some ways to give constructive criticism.
- Let your designers know what you like about their design. It’s essential to start with positive feedback, so they know what to continue doing. For example, “I love the way you’ve used this graphic in your design! I think it’ll stand out more and be easier for people to find.” It also helps them know which aspects of design to use when creating your other designs.
- You need to be very specific. When you’re giving feedback, focus on suggesting how to make the graphic better. You can say something like, “I think it would be more effective if we added some text here,” or “It might look nicer with one of these fonts.” Knowing the graphic elements you want to be changed is important! Tell your designer what they should change by describing that element, but make sure you tell them why you want it changed and not how to change it, and be ready to explain why you want it changed.
- You need to stay open-minded when looking at your designs. Although you have to like your design, you need to remember that this has to please your target audience, not just you. Just because your favorite color is lime green and you love Papyrus font doesn’t mean it will appeal to your audience.
- One of the most important things you need to do is direct your feedback to the design, not the designer. You don’t want to say things like “I don’t like how YOU did….” You want to say something like “I don’t like how the font looks,” or, “I don’t like this element of the design.” Don’t make your feedback personal.
- This last tip encompasses all of the above advice — don’t micromanage. Your designer knows that you have a vision and want your design to look a certain way. However, they have a creative process and will be able to include your wants and needs in that process. When you micromanage the process, it can take longer to complete. Trust that your designer will be able to bring your vision to life.
Communication is also crucial. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Your designer wants you to feel comfortable, and they are happy to tell you why they used a certain color or font. It will help you understand their process and make everyone’s life easier. It also shows the designer that you value their opinion and want their input. Graphic design requires an amazing team, so if you are looking for a team to help take your content, website, or other creatives to the next level, you can always reach out to Design Spinners.
