The Dope.

Q & A:

What are best practices in effectively working with designers?

If you truly want to get the best results from a designer, treat them as a partner or advisor, not as a vendor or basic service provider.

The traditional, though in my opinion less effective way of working with a designer, is to provide a project brief with detailed instruction and direction. In this way of working, many designers will simply follow those criteria and produce what was asked. Possibly doing a round or two of revisions to address any changes or additional needs.

However, if you choose to include the designer in meetings prior to the project brief being completed, it may allow for a more in-depth and holistic conversation about intent, purpose, challenges, and goals—resulting in gained knowledge and a project direction that may not have occurred otherwise.

When a designer and client can intelligently discuss the desired parameters and goals of a given project—and problem solve together—it creates a mutually beneficial relationship that builds trust, respect and positive ownership from all parties involved.