Thinking that design is only about aesthetics? Think again. Sure, a designer’s primary job is to make things look pretty, but a good designer understands the user’s needs and builds functional and visually appealing designs. When you work with a designer, be sure to ask questions like: what decisions did the designer have to make when they designed the page and so on. You’ll learn a lot about the designer’s thought processes and how they went about creating. However, this article will focus on the three things you should not do when working with a designer.
1. Not fully understanding the design brief or the skills required for the design task.
If you don’t know the background or experience of the designer you’re engaging with, be sure to ask questions and gain as much knowledge as possible. For example, if you don’t understand the design process, ask questions like what problem the designer was solving when they designed the layout of this particular page, what decisions they had to make when they created the flow of the page, and so on.
2. Doubting their abilities and decisions from the start.
If you don’t know what you’re talking about, don’t try to tell the designer what they should be doing. They have enough to worry about without being second-guessed. Instead, when you’re questioning the decisions and abilities of the designer, try to give feedback constructively. For example, if you don’t understand why the designer used a particular colour, ask them why they chose it. However, if you have an issue with something, bring it to the designer’s attention so they can fix it. If you don’t do this, you’re disrespecting the designer’s decisions and abilities, which will hinder your ability to work effectively together.
3. Forgetting to thank them.
Design is time-consuming and mental energy draining. Designers spend hours thinking, conceptualizing, designing, and rewriting to get your content right. So when you cut them a line or send a quick “thanks” message, you’re saying that you don’t appreciate their hard work. So instead, discuss what stood out in the design and be curious about their design processes and decisions. Then, be sure to give them the credit they deserve.
Working harmoniously with a designer is much easier when you remember to be courteous and respectful. When you’re asking questions, be sure to ask questions that will help you understand the design process and not questions that will leave you both wondering what the final picture looks like. With the right questions, you’ll be able to agree on the best design direction, which will help you save time and money.