Sometimes None Of This Works
The secret is there is no secret.
Even though I write about visual communication, and have a lot of tips and tricks I've developed or discovered or learned the hard way over the years, sometimes, none of this works. Sometimes they will still ask you to make the logo bigger. Sometimes you will not convince anyone to change their mind. Sometimes your best presentation efforts will not turn out the way you planned.
People are not logical most of the time, and while I believe design is only partly subjective, some folks believe it is 100% subjective. But it is not art. There are rules and regulations. I don't have design communication completely figured out, and don't feel badly if you, as a designer, don't either. I hope some of this helps. Often I'm writing to understand these dynamics better myself.
I like to refer to design as unlicensed therapy, and very often people reveal themselves in the way they do or don’t like something. Some people just want to be involved and aren’t sure how to be. Some people want to make sure they say something in the meeting (I legit had someone Google “design best practices” and bring that list to a presentation). Some people are trying to impress their boss. Some people are second guessing. Some people don’t know what they want. Some people are uncomfortable making decisions. Very often people default to personal preference over strategy. They will defer to their internal politics over goals. It is impossibly hard to change someone's mind once they have given you a sketch.
The world tells everyone today that they too are a designer. Which I think actually puts undue pressure on everyone to know a lot about design. Companies have been de-valuing a skilled job so they can sell you software and make money. Is everyone a plumber? Is everyone a dentist? It sounds totally weird if you insert any other job.
And sometimes there is too much emphasis on the aesthetic part of design – this color or that line width. But graphic design is also:
"particular ways of thinking and seeing, some methods for approaching textual problems, visual problems, circulation and distribution problems, even computer interface problems."
–David Reinfurt
It’s always fine to disagree, it's fine to debate a point, it’s fine to not like something as long as you communicate the why of it, it’s totally fine to ask questions. Designers are here to help with all those things.
And then sometimes presentations are made, questions are asked, debates are had, and ultimately a project makes it through. Sometimes, all of this works. Don’t forget to celebrate when that happens.
ICYMI
K. Nicole Stowe
K. Nicole Stowe
K. Nicole Stowe