: How to get my designer to feedback my idea? I am a client of a designer. This is our first project/job for each party, and he is willing to do the design for me for free as long as I'm

@Shanna688

If this is your first project working together, you may be pushing the relationship too quickly. Your designer is trying to please you. You want your designer to disagree with you. That's asking a lot.

You know more about your business than your designer. Your designer knows more about graphic communication than you (most likely.)

The effect you're striving for is harmony, agreement, and results.

That being said, ask your designer for ideas and alternatives to the design problem at hand. Ask your designer to try different approaches and alternatives.

The best way to ask varies from individual to individual.


What do you think?
What do you suggest?
How could the idea be better?
What would you change?
Could you show me a few different approaches?
Is there a better way to show... (the title, the background, the
product,…?
Am I trying to say too much in too little space?


As mentioned elsewhere, have you accepted the designer's brief and proposal and then started discussing the solution? Discussion should precede the agreement not after.

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@Angela777

It sounds like you are expecting an experienced approach from an inexperienced designer.

If you both are able to make adjustments (you to lower your expectations and him to become more confident) then this may work out.

If adjustments are too difficult for either of you, then you may not be a good fit for each other.

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@Hamm6457569

Its good to hear client ideas though I would also add that a designer should be working off a design brief as well.

The design is about finding a solution to the problem, meeting key objectives.

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@Shakeerah625

A good designer should advise you in the choices you make. In the end, you are the one who decides what happens, but I think it's important that he uses his knowledge to tell you why some things may work or not. Since he is also new, this is something he needs to learn and you can tell him this. Tell him you need his advice on the matter, you don't want him to follow blindly. Tell him the way it's currently going will also be worse for him. It seems easy now, but he will likely produce something that does not work well and that's not a valuable addition to his portfolio at all.

This person was open and honest to you about his inexperience, so you can be open and honest about what you expect as well. And because of his inexperience he may need some more guidance. Then again, you are getting this for free.

There are two things you can do now:


Help him, educate him. Since he is doing this for free, you can repay him by teaching him what the average client expects from him. Ask concrete questions. i.e. 'Why do you think this button works well in this position?'
Hire a more experienced designer and tell them up front you are seeking for someone who is also able to challenge you and advice you.


To add to this, I think this is a great example of how free is never really free. You may get the design work for free but you will need to invest time and effort in the person doing the design work.

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