Collaborating Successfully with Design to Make Your Vision a Reality
(a.k.a., Help Design Help You!)

October 21, 2015

The world of design can sometimes feel like alien territory. However, you should approach these types of projects the same way you approach any other. Communication and collaboration are key to a successful working relationship, and contrary to popular belief, designers don’t bite – and, occasionally, we even come out in the sun.

Whether you are new to working with a design team or have been doing it for years, here are six tips on how to collaborate effectively:

1. Express yourself. We need to know what and how you are thinking. Yes, we know we are creative geniuses, but only you can help us see the bigger picture as it relates to your particular branch of business. We need to understand your environment, your target audience, your goals for the project, and your brand tendencies. Getting a project with too little direction (or, worse, no direction at all) can be much harder than working on one with numerous requirements.
2. Bring your friends. If you need someone else’s approval on the outcome of a project, get them involved at the beginning of the process. There is nothing worse than going through weeks or even months of design development to discover your boss does not agree with the direction of the project.
3. Don't be shy. If you have a great idea or a sketch scribbled on a napkin, please share! We are happy to take your vision and make it come to life in whatever way we can. (And we promise not to make fun of your drawing skills…)
4. We need design assets. Be prepared to send us the following:
   • A high-resolution logo (no, we cannot scrape it off a website)
   • The general style guide, brand guidelines and/or design example(s) (if applicable)
   • The appropriate fonts indicated in the style guide
5. Factor design into your timeline. (Note: This one is IMPORTANT!) The design team’s goal is to always put forth the best creative solution possible. And design can be deceiving; it’s meant to look effortless, but almost never is. We understand that there will always be emergencies or last-minute needs, but remember – longer timelines yield better results.
6. Let us solve the problem. We often receive very specific feedback on projects, such as “Make that box bright green,” even though the brand’s primary color may be red. It’s much better to explain the problem that needs to be solved like, “We need to make that box stand out more because it is the most important section of the data sheet,” rather than give a proposed design solution. Visual problem solving is our specialty, and it’s our responsibility to come up with the optimal design solution to the problem you’re facing. Of course, suggestions are always welcome, but with insight into your ultimate goals we can determine the solution faster and more effectively.

Working with design is the same as working with any other department. Good communication lies at the core of a successful project. When everyone is on the same page, jobs are completed in fewer cycles, everyone is happy and your business is running like a well-oiled machine.

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