Design feedback doesn’t have to be complicated. Have you ever received design work that wasn’t quite right, but struggled to explain why? You’re not alone. Many of our clients find it challenging to articulate their thoughts about design, especially when deadlines are looming or budgets are tight.
At Eighty3, we understand that not everyone speaks “design language” – and that’s perfectly okay! That’s why we’ve created this straightforward guide to help you communicate your thoughts effectively, ensuring we get your project exactly right.
When you provide clear, specific feedback, we can:
1. Start with what works
Begin with the elements you like. This gives us valuable insight into your preferences and helps establish what’s working well. For example:
“I really like the colour palette and how you’ve used our logo in the header.”
2. Be specific about concerns
Rather than general statements, pinpoint exactly what isn’t working for you:
Instead of: “I don’t like the colours.” Try: “The blue feels too cold for our brand – could we try warmer tones that better reflect our friendly approach?”
Instead of: “It needs to pop more.” Try: “I feel the call-to-action button might be getting lost. Could we make it stand out more against the background?”
Instead of: “I’m not sure why, but I don’t like it.” Try: “Something about the overall feel doesn’t seem to match our brand. Could we discuss what elements might be creating this disconnect?”
3. Explain the “why” behind your reaction
Telling us why something isn’t working for you helps us understand your perspective:
“The current layout might confuse our older customers who aren’t as tech-savvy. Could we simplify the navigation?”
4. Consider your audience
Remember who your design is for – sometimes your personal preferences might not align with what will appeal to your target audience:
“While I personally prefer minimalist designs, our market research shows our customers respond better to more colourful, detailed imagery.”
5. Provide examples when possible
Visual references can be incredibly helpful:
“I like the approach used on this website [link] – particularly how they’ve organised their product categories.”
We offer multiple ways to provide feedback:
Pro tip: Collecting all your feedback in “one hit” rather than sending multiple emails with individual comments helps us address everything comprehensively and avoid missing important points.
Less helpful: “The website needs more design.” More helpful: “The current layout feels a bit sparse. Could we add some subtle background elements or imagery that reflect our work in construction?”
Less helpful: “Just do what I want.” More helpful: “I’m looking for a more modern approach with clean lines and minimal text, similar to the example I sent through last week.”
Less helpful: “I know what I want when I see it.” More helpful: “I’m struggling to visualise exactly what I want. Could you perhaps show me 2-3 different style options based on our initial conversation?”
Less helpful: “It’s got to have impact.” More helpful: “I’d like our homepage to immediately communicate our expertise in sustainable building – perhaps through a striking image of our award-winning project with a bold headline about our environmental commitments.”
“Make it pop” is perhaps one of the most frequently used phrases in design feedback – and also one of the most puzzling for both clients and designers!
When you feel the urge to say “make it pop,” you’re usually sensing that something lacks visual impact or isn’t grabbing attention the way it should. Here’s how to translate that feeling into specific feedback:
Next time you feel something needs to “pop,” try asking yourself: What specifically isn’t grabbing attention? Is it a colour issue, a sizing problem, or something about the arrangement? Identifying the specific concern will help us address it effectively.
Above the fold: Content visible without scrolling when a webpage first loads
Accessibility: Ensuring designs can be used by people with disabilities (colour contrast, text size, etc.)
Alignment: How text and visual elements line up with each other
Branding: Visual elements that represent your company’s identity (logo, colours, fonts, etc.)
Colour palette: The set of colours used in your design
Contrast: How different elements stand out from each other (light vs. dark, large vs. small)
CTA (Call to Action): Buttons or links encouraging visitors to take specific actions
Hero section: The prominent area at the top of a webpage, usually featuring a large image or banner
Hierarchy: How elements are arranged to show their importance (headers, subheadings, body text)
Mockup: A realistic visual model showing how the final design will look
Negative space: Another term for white space; areas intentionally left empty
Responsive design: How your website adapts to different screen sizes
Saturation: The intensity of colours (high saturation = vibrant; low = muted)
Typography: The style, arrangement, and appearance of text
UI/UX: User Interface (what it looks like) and User Experience (how it works)
White space: Empty space between elements that helps with readability and focus
Wireframe: A basic outline/skeleton of a design that shows layout without detailed design elements
At Eighty3, our values of diligence, integrity, care, and expertise guide everything we do. We’re committed to making your design journey as easy and enjoyable as possible, and clear communication is a vital part of this process.
We understand that providing feedback can sometimes feel uncomfortable, especially if you’re concerned about hurting feelings. Rest assured – we view your feedback as a crucial part of the creative process, not a personal criticism.
If you’re struggling to articulate your thoughts on a design we’ve sent, please don’t hesitate to request a chat. Sometimes a quick conversation can clarify concerns more effectively than written feedback alone.
Remember, our shared goal is creating design work that perfectly represents your brand and meets your business objectives. Your thoughtful feedback is an essential part of making that happen.
Need help with a design project? Contact Eighty3 Design at 01384 913683 or visit www.eighty3.co.uk
