How to Talk to Graphic Designers (Without things getting awkward)

Talking to a graphic designer can feel like you're stepping into an alternate universe where kerning, leading, and hex codes reign supreme. Fear not! There’s an art to communicating with these strange beasts (designers). Here’s a guide that will make you a pro at speaking their language without accidentally causing them to cringe into their font library.

1. Be Specific—"Weird" Is Not a Design Term

Ever said something like, “This looks...weird”? Guess what? That’s designer kryptonite! Instead, try: “The layout feels a bit cluttered. Could we simplify this?” or “The colour feels too bright—can we try something more muted?” Specific feedback helps the designer understand what’s really bugging you, without making them guess which part of the design is sending you spiralling into existential crisis.

Good example: “The font feels too formal for our brand—can we try something more playful?” Bad example: “This gives me strange vibes.”

2. Provide Examples (Pinterest Is Your Friend)

Imagine telling a designer, “I want it to look...you know...modern.” That’s like walking into a pizza shop and asking for “something tasty.” What kind of modern? Minimalist? Futuristic? Mid-century modern? Bring examples! Mood boards, screenshots, or even that coffee cup you thought had a cool pattern can help. Whether it's colour palettes, font choices, or layouts, designers LOVE a good visual reference.

Good example: “I love the colours in this website and the clean layout in this magazine cover.” Bad example: “Make it like...cool, but warm. Edgy, but classic.”

3. Be Open to Their Ideas (They Have Magic Powers)

Yes, you have a vision. But designers are magical creatures who can take your idea and—get this—actually make it better. Trust their expertise! Maybe that neon pink you adore is blinding everyone’s retinas. Let them guide you to design nirvana with ideas that, though different from yours, might work better for your project.

Good example: “I’m not sure about that colour, but let’s see what you had in mind.” Bad example: “No, I’ve decided the entire thing has to be purple because I said so.”

4. Avoid Jargon—Just Say Words

You don’t need to pretend to know what tracking, ascender, or RGB means. Using design jargon incorrectly might just make things more confusing for both of you. Stick to plain, easy-to-understand language. Leave the fancy design terms to the pros—like that weird box in Photoshop that you’re too afraid to click.

Good example: “Can we make the text bigger?” Bad example: “Can you adjust the... um... contrast and kerning ratio?”

5. Create a Design Brief (It’s a Cheat Sheet for Success)

Working with a designer without a brief is like giving a chef the ingredients for a cake but not telling them if you want chocolate or vanilla. Collaborate to create a clear, concise design brief that explains what you're looking for. What’s your message? What’s the vibe? Any pet hates (like Comic Sans)? This saves a ton of back-and-forth confusion.

Good example: “We want the logo to reflect our eco-friendly brand and attract a younger audience.” Bad example: “Just, you know, do your thing. I trust you.” (narrator’s voice: They did not, in fact, trust them.)

6. Ask Questions (Designers Love a Good Chat)

It’s okay to ask questions! Designers aren’t mind readers. If you don’t understand why they used a certain layout or colour, ask! They’re happy to explain their choices—plus, this helps you feel more involved and prevents any misunderstandings.

Good example: “Why did you choose this font? Does it align with our brand?” Bad example: Silence followed by awkward staring.

7. Be Clear About Deadlines (Time Is a Flat Circle)

Designers work hard, but they also need to know when you expect their masterpiece to be finished. Be upfront about deadlines so they can plan their work (and their caffeine intake). Also, keep in mind that good design takes time. If you need something yesterday, you might get something that looks like it was done... yesterday.

Good example: “We need the first draft by Friday and final revisions by the 30th.” Bad example: “Can I get this by the end of the day?” (It’s 4:59 p.m.)

8. Use Visuals to Communicate Ideas (It’s Worth a Thousand Words, Remember?)

When words fail, pictures succeed. Stuck on how to explain that you want “more space but not, like, too much space”? Grab a visual and show it. Even a crude drawing or pointing to a sketch on the screen can clarify things faster than a 10-minute explanation.

Good example: “I like how this website uses negative space. Can we do something similar?” Bad example: “I want it to...breathe...but not breathe too much, like, gentle breathing?”

9. Ask for Feedback (Designers Have Feelings Too)

Designers appreciate being asked, “Hey, what do you think?” Just because you’re hiring them doesn’t mean you shouldn’t tap into their design expertise. Plus, they might suggest something even better than what you envisioned. Asking for feedback builds a stronger working relationship—and gets you that killer design faster.

Good example: “What do you think of this direction? Does it make sense for the brand?” Bad example: “I’m the client, so it’s my way or the highway.”

You're Ready to Speak Designer!

Congrats! You’re now equipped to communicate with graphic designers like a seasoned pro. Whether you're hiring for a big project or just trying to fix that "weird" layout, these tips will help you get the best out of your designer and make the process a lot smoother (and maybe even fun). 

Happy designing!

Need help with your next design project? Contact the Heffers Studio team - we speak fluent design!

Find out more about Heffers Studio could help your next project please get in contact here.