Design is a collaborative process. Whether you’re working on a website, a logo, a print campaign, or any other visual project, your feedback is crucial in shaping the outcome. However, not all feedback is equally helpful.
Vague comments like “Make it pop” or “I don’t like it” don’t give designers the direction they need to make meaningful improvements. Instead, clear, actionable feedback helps steer the design process forward—resulting in a final product that aligns with your vision while effectively communicating with your audience.
This guide will help you understand how to give design feedback that is constructive, specific, and solution-oriented.
Why Clear Feedback Matters
Design is about problem-solving, not just personal preference. All elements—colors, fonts, layout, imagery—are carefully chosen to convey a message and engage an audience. Your feedback helps refine those choices, but it needs to be clear and detailed to be helpful.
What Happens with Vague Feedback?
❌ “I don’t like it.”
➡ Leaves the designer guessing. What exactly isn’t working? The layout? The colors? The typography?
❌ “Can you make it more modern?”
➡ “Modern” can mean minimalist, sleek, bold, high-tech, or trendy. Which one do you mean?
❌ “It doesn’t feel right.”
➡ What aspect feels off? Is it the tone? The balance? The brand alignment?
These comments slow down the process because the designer has no clear direction. Instead, precise feedback speeds things up, leading to a final product that meets your goals.
How to Give Actionable Design Feedback
The best design feedback is:
✅ Specific – Pinpoint what you like/dislike.
✅ Objective – Focus on the project goals, not just personal taste.
✅ Constructive – Suggest solutions or provide examples.
✅ Respectful – Trust your designer’s expertise while sharing your vision.
1. Overall Impression: Start with What Works
Identify what you like before making changes. This ensures productive collaboration and helps the designer understand what’s already working.
DON’T:
❌ “I don’t like it.”
DO:
✅ “I really like the clean layout and color palette—it aligns well with our brand. However, the font feels too formal for our audience. Could we explore a friendlier typeface?”
Why this works:
- It highlights what’s working (layout and colors).
- It pinpoints what’s not working (font).
- It suggests a direction for improvement (a friendlier typeface).
How to Structure Your Overall Feedback:
- What aspects of the design feel on-brand?
- Does it communicate the right tone and message?
- What elements stand out positively?
2. Design Specifics: Break Down the Elements
Once you’ve addressed your overall impression, provide feedback on specific design elements.
Key Design Elements to Consider:
- Typography (Fonts, readability, weight, style)
- Color Scheme (Contrast, harmony, mood)
- Layout & Composition (Balance, spacing, visual flow)
- Imagery & Graphics (Style, relevance, quality)
- Brand Consistency (Does it align with your existing brand?)
DON’T:
❌ “Can you move this text and maybe center it?”
DO:
✅ “I appreciate the layout so far. Adjusting the logo to be centered might improve the composition. Could we also try increasing the spacing around the tagline for better readability?”
Why this works:
- Acknowledges what’s working (“I appreciate the layout so far”).
- Specifies the change needed (center the logo, increase tagline spacing).
- Explains the reason (improving readability).
How to Structure Specific Feedback:
- Which elements stand out positively or negatively?
- Do the font and color choices support your brand?
- Is the layout easy to navigate and read?
3. Suggested Improvements: Be Clear & Provide Context
Explain what modern means instead of saying, “Can it be more modern?”.
DON’T:
❌ “Can it feel more sophisticated?”
DO:
✅ “I’d love for the design to feel more sophisticated. A thinner serif font and a more muted color palette could help achieve that look. I’ve attached a few designs that capture the style I envision.”
Why this works:
- Defines what “sophisticated” means (thinner serif font, muted colors).
- Offers a visual reference (examples).
- It helps the designer make precise, effective adjustments.
How to Structure Suggested Improvements:
- Instead of general terms like “bold” or “modern,” describe what that means to you.
- If you have a reference or example, share it.
- Explain why the change is needed—does it align better with your audience, improve readability, or enhance brand perception?
4. Keeping the Big Picture in Mind
Design is not just about what looks good—it’s about achieving a specific goal.
Ask yourself:
✅ Does the design align with your brand identity?
✅ Will it effectively communicate with your target audience?
✅ Is it easy to navigate (for web) or read (for print)?
If you don’t like something, try reframing your feedback to tie it back to your goals.
For example: ❌ “I don’t like the color blue.”
✅ “Since we want to evoke warmth and trust, would a deeper shade of blue or a complementary color work better?”
5. Trust the Process & Your Designer
Good design is a collaborative effort, and trust plays a significant role. If you’re unsure about a choice, ask your designer why they made it. They likely have a strategic reason for selecting a color, font, or layout.
Example questions to ask:
- “Can you explain the choice of this font? Does it improve readability?”
- “How would this layout translate to mobile screens?”
- “Do you have recommendations for alternative color options that would still feel on-brand?”
Designers are problem-solvers, and engaging them in discussion rather than just issuing directives leads to stronger, more thoughtful designs.
Final Thoughts: A Collaborative Approach
Clear, structured feedback improves communication, speeds up the revision process, and ensures a strong final design meets your goals.
Key Takeaways for Giving Great Feedback:
✅ Be specific – Name the element you’re referring to.
✅ Be constructive – Suggest alternatives or provide examples.
✅ Focus on objectives – What works for your audience, not just personal taste.
✅ Trust your designer – They are problem-solvers, not just order-takers.
By working collaboratively and offering well-thought-out feedback, you’ll help steer the design process toward a final product that’s not only visually appealing but also strategically effective.
Need Expert Design Guidance?
At Giant, we specialize in turning ideas into visually compelling, strategic designs. If you’re ready to work with a team that values collaboration, contact giantcreates.com. Let’s bring your vision to life! 🚀
