Giving Feedback - 4 tips for feedback success with your designer
Working with a designer can be a new experience for many people and because of that, determining the best way to communicate with your designer can come with a bit of a learning curve. Your designer should set these expectations up front (we do for our clients), but if they don’t and you are curious how to effectively communicate with your designer, these are our tried and true tips:
Be Clear:
This is the most important part of giving feedback. Things like “I don’t like it” or “it’s not my favorite” are phrases that may be true, but are difficult to gain helpful knowledge from in a way that tells us what needs to change. Instead, try describing WHAT specifically you don’t like, such as: “I don’t like the color of that cabinetry” or “that tile doesn’t do a lot for me because I think I might want more pattern". What you gravitate towards may be different than what we would do naturally, and it takes time and communication through the design process for us to learn your likes and dislikes. Communication is so important for a healthy designer-client relationship and a positive end outcome.
Be Honest:
It can be difficult to express your emotions about design and we are sensitive to this. If you’re having a hard time voicing your thoughts in an attempt not to offend us, know that you will not. The design process is a relationship, and we want to hear your honest thoughts, relayed in a kind manor of course. We do not take it personally if you do not love the first things we show you, although that is always our goal.
Be Respectful:
Sometimes we nail it on the first round of presentation, and sometimes we don’t. We as designers are used to receiving feedback. Some criticism won’t hurt any feelings as long as it’s kind and respectful. We want you to feel comfortable sharing both positive and negative design feedback. Part of a healthy designer-client relationship is trust, and we appreciate your respecting our expertise and trusting us to carry your project to fruition, delivering a product you will love. As always, kindness is key.
Ask Questions:
There are no stupid or silly questions! We want to encourage your asking of thoughtful questions so we have a productive and constructive experience throughout our time working together. If something about the process or the overall design intent is unclear, feel free to ask us about it! We are always happy to explain our rationale or the process behind the design in a different way that is easier for you to understand.
Our number one goal is to be there for our clients, and provide an experience that guides you seamlessly through the design-build-furnish process. If you’re ready to begin, submit our new client questionnaire to get started!
