If you’ve ever outsourced a design project only to feel completely underwhelmed by what landed in your inbox, you know how frustrating the process can be.
Cue the internal monologue:
“WTF?! That’s not at all what I had envisioned in my head!”
I get it. I’ve been a designer for over a decade, and I’ve performed more “facial reconstruction surgeries” on botched design projects than I can count.
But here’s the truth: most of the time, the designer isn’t the problem. The real issue is lack of communication.
That’s why, as a business owner, you need to step into the role of creative director for your brand. It’s your job to provide enough context, direction, and feedback so your designer can do their best work.
The good news? You don’t need to speak fluent “design-ese” to get there. Here are five tips to help you communicate your vision clearly, avoid endless revisions, and actually get the graphics you love.
1. Paint the Big Picture With Enough Context
Designers don’t work in a vacuum. Just because they’re creating one small piece of your brand puzzle doesn’t mean they shouldn’t see the bigger picture.
Take the time to brief your designer on:
- The overarching goal of the project
- How this asset fits into your overall brand and strategy
- The audience it’s meant to reach
This not only helps them design strategically, it also makes them more invested in your brand. Designers do better work when they understand the “why” behind what they’re creating.
2. Organize and Format Your Content
Your designer isn’t your housekeeper. Don’t send over a messy Google Doc and expect them to work miracles.
Make sure your copy is:
→ Finalized (no, seriously, finalized)
→ Organized into a clear flow
→ Formatted in a way that communicates hierarchy
One of the best ways to do this is wireframing.
Wireframing means chunking your copy into sections with headings, bolding, or even mockups that show what should be emphasized. It doesn’t need to look “pretty”, it just needs to give your designer a roadmap.
When you hand over design-able copy, you’ll save hours of revisions and end up with assets that actually align with your vision.
3. Give Feedback With Video (Not Novels)
Here’s the tip that will save your sanity: make videos for your designer.
Tools like Loom let you record your screen and talk through your feedback in plain English.
Why this works:
- You don’t need to worry about design jargon.
- Your designer can literally see what you’re referencing.
- You avoid endless back-and-forth “just to clarify” emails.
Remember: you hired a designer to save you time, not to create more busywork. Videos are the fastest way to bridge the communication gap.
4. Provide Size and File Requirements Upfront
It sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised how often this step gets skipped.
If you need a graphic sized for Instagram, a PDF, or a specific file format, tell your designer up front. Otherwise, they’ll have to ping you with follow-up questions, which slows everything down.
Save yourself the delay and include specs in your project brief.
5. Provide Visual Examples
Want to 10x your chances of getting a design you love? Show your designer what you like.
Create an inspiration board with examples of designs that resonate with you. Tools like Pinterest, Evernote, or even a simple folder of screenshots work great.
As a designer, I can tell you: this is one of the most helpful things a client can do.
But here’s the catch: keep your examples focused. Don’t throw your designer a board full of clashing aesthetics and expect them to synthesize a coherent style. Less (but relevant) is more.
Why This Matters
Great design isn’t about luck. It’s about collaboration.
When you step into the role of creative director and follow these five tips, you’ll:
→ Save yourself from endless revisions
→ Get assets that align with your vision
→ Build a more professional, cohesive brand experience
Want the shortcut? Inside Digital Brand Kit, all of our templates are built with copy structure + design flow baked in. That means you don’t have to guess how to format your words for design, it’s already done for you. Just plug in your copy, tweak, and go. Check out our templates here.
