Communicating design decisions effectively as a designer
“The difference between a good designer and a great designer is the ability to not only solve the problem but also to articulate how the design solves it in a way that is compelling and fosters agreement. If you can do that, you’re a great designer.” Tom Greever
As a newbie designer, I struggled with communicating my design decisions because I expected people to easily see why those decisions were necessary, and when I was asked to explain why I made those choices I would freeze and become tongue-tied. What a rookie mistake!
If you are currently in this situation, you have come to the right place. Today I will be sharing tips and strategies that will help you effectively communicate your design decisions in your next team meeting. Let’s goooooooooo!
It is important to understand that communication plays a vital role in your life as a designer and it adversely affects how others see your designs. According to Hongkiat, there are, two types of communication that a designer carries out.
- The first is aesthetic communication, which refers to the type of communication that happens when you, a designer communicate with your audience through your designs. It is carried out in a very subtle, indirect and artistic manner.
- The second type is termed professional communication, and it is the type of communication you carry out while dealing with professional matters such as presentations etc. It is more direct, complex and verbal. Professional communication is unfortunately where a lot of designers fail to excel.
Here are my top 5 tips to help you communicate your design decisions effectively
1. Understand Your Audience
The first step to effective communication is understanding your audience. This means considering who you’re communicating with, what their role is in the project, and what they need to know. Different stakeholders will have different levels of understanding when it comes to design, so it’s important to tailor your communication to their needs.
For example, if you’re speaking to developers or other designers on your team, you may need to use more technical language and provide detailed documentation to ensure that they can understand and implement your designs correctly. If you’re speaking to executives or external stakeholders, you may need to focus more on the business impact of your design decisions and the value they bring to the product, because these groups of people although they are likely less involved in your day-to-day decision-making, they can still help or hurt your efforts.
2. Use Visual Aids
Has someone ever described a design to you and no matter how explicit they are with their description, you still did not get the full idea or image of the design? Now, imagine doing the same to your teammates or stakeholders. It will make you look unprofessional and you will bore your audience to death. Design is a visual discipline, so it makes sense to use visual aids to communicate your decisions. Sketches, wireframes, and prototypes can all be used to show your ideas and explain how they will work in the final product. When presenting visual aids, it’s important to keep them simple and focused. Don’t overwhelm your audience with too much detail, and make sure that your visual aids support the points you’re trying to make.
3. Be Clear and Concise
In any communication, it’s important to be clear and concise. This is especially true when communicating design decisions, as you don’t want to confuse or overwhelm your audience. Use simple language, avoid jargon or technical terms, and be direct in your communication. Rambling makes it likely that your listener will tune you out and lose interest in what you are trying to say. Prepare before you speak and understand what you want to say. If you’re presenting multiple options or ideas, make sure that you clearly explain the pros and cons of each one, and explain why you made the decision you did. Doing this shows that you have already thought about different solutions and that you have arrived at the best option.
4. Be Open to Feedback
Effective communication is a two-way street, and it’s important to be open to feedback from your audience (teammates and stakeholders). When presenting your design decisions, encourage questions, comments, and feedback, listen to them and ask clarifying questions if you are unsure of the problem. This will not only help you to better understand your audience’s needs but also to identify potential issues or concerns that you may not have considered.
When receiving feedback, be open-minded and willing to make changes if necessary. Remind yourself that your design decisions are not set in stone and that you may need to make adjustments based on feedback from your audience. It is important to always note that your purpose as a communicator is not to win an “argument” against your teammates and (or) stakeholders. Your purpose is to create understanding, hence there is no need to pursue a “right answer”. Remember, nobody likes a know-it-all.
5. Empathize with your listeners.
As a designer, empathy should always be your watchword because it helps you put yourself in the shoes of other people, be it your users, teammates or stakeholders. It’s important to use empathy when communicating design decisions because doing this helps you understand their perspective. It will also help you to tailor your communication to their needs and to address any concerns they may have. Empathy also helps to build trust and rapport with your audience, which can be invaluable when working on complex projects with multiple stakeholders.
Conclusion
Effective communication is a crucial aspect of a designer’s success, as it helps them convey their ideas, collaborate with team members and stakeholders, and ultimately deliver high-quality projects. I always advise newbie designers to consciously work on improving their communication skills through planning, preparation, and regular practice because it enhances their ability to articulate their thoughts and ideas clearly, listen actively to feedback, and collaborate effectively with others.
While creative tools are essential for designers, you must not neglect the importance of communication skills in this profession. By prioritizing communication and actively working on improving it, you can set yourself apart from others and improve your career prospects.
See you next week, Byeeeeeeee!
