What do you do if your client's feedback is hindering your graphic design process?

1 Clarify Concerns

When feedback from a client starts to impede your workflow, the first step is to seek clarification. Misunderstandings can often arise from unclear communication, so it's important to ask questions and get to the heart of the client's concerns. This can involve discussing the objectives of the design, the target audience, and the message that needs to be conveyed. By understanding the underlying reasons for their feedback, you can better address their needs and adjust your designs accordingly.

2 Educate Tactfully

Sometimes clients may not be aware of the principles of good design and how these principles contribute to the effectiveness of the final product. In such cases, it's your role to educate them—tactfully. Explain why certain elements work well together and how design choices can influence the audience's perception and actions. Use examples from your portfolio to illustrate your points and help clients understand your reasoning. This educational approach can bridge the gap between their ideas and professional design standards.

3 Offer Alternatives

When a client's feedback seems to conflict with design best practices, it's helpful to offer alternative solutions. Presenting different options that still align with their vision but also adhere to professional standards can demonstrate your flexibility and commitment to delivering quality work. This approach allows the client to see the potential in different ideas and may steer them away from suggestions that could weaken the design.

5 Maintain Professionalism

Throughout the feedback process, maintaining professionalism is paramount. Even when faced with challenging or seemingly unreasonable requests, it's important to communicate respectfully and keep the dialogue constructive. Remember that the ultimate goal is to create a design that satisfies the client and serves its intended purpose effectively. Professionalism will help preserve the relationship and could lead to future collaborations.

6 Resolve Impasses

If you reach an impasse where the client's feedback continues to hinder progress, consider setting up a meeting to discuss the project in-depth. A face-to-face conversation (or a video call) can often resolve issues more effectively than email exchanges. During this meeting, reiterate the project goals, review the design brief, and explain how your design choices align with these objectives. This can help refocus the project and move forward with a clearer direction.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?