Giving design feedback isn’t about personal opinion — it’s about helping the design achieve its purpose. Whether you’re reviewing a website, a UI layout, or a graphic, the goal is to guide, not control. Here’s how to deliver feedback that’s constructive, respectful, and genuinely useful to your designer.
Start With the Goal, Not Your Opinion
Before saying “I don’t like this,” revisit the purpose:
- What’s the design trying to achieve? (e.g., clarity, conversion, brand trust)
- Who’s the audience or user?
- What’s the desired emotion or action?
Example:
“Since the goal is to make the pricing clearer, I wonder if we can emphasize the main plan a bit more visually.”
Be Specific, Not Vague
Avoid vague statements like:
❌ “This section doesn’t work.”
Instead, be precise:
✅ “The heading and the CTA are similar in weight, so the call to action doesn’t stand out.”
Specific = actionable.
Vague = confusing
Talk About Effects, Not Taste
Design isn’t about what you personally prefer. It’s about communication and user impact.
❌ “I don’t like this font.”
✅ “This font feels heavy and makes the page look less approachable — maybe a lighter typeface could help.”
This shifts the feedback from subjective to strategic.
Focus on the Problem Before Suggesting Solutions
Designers need context before they can create the right solution.
Instead of:
❌ “Move this to the left.”
Try:
✅ “My eye first goes to the sidebar instead of the main content — can we guide attention differently?”
Explain why first — the how will follow.
Use the “I Notice / I Feel / I Wonder” Framework
This simple structure keeps the tone collaborative:
- I notice the hero image feels busy.
- I feel it competes with the headline.
- I wonder if simplifying it could help focus attention.
It reduces defensiveness and encourages open problem-solving.
Image Credit: by Freepik
Balance Critique With Positives
Designers need to understand what’s working well too.
Example:
“The layout hierarchy is strong — the sectioning is clear. The only thing I’d tweak is the spacing between elements for breathing room.”
Balanced feedback motivates and clarifies.
Prioritize Your Feedback
Avoid overwhelming your designer with dozens of comments at once. Group them intelligently:
Critical
- Usability issues
- Clarity problems
- Brand consistency errors
Nice-to-Have
- Color refinements
- Animation timing
- Extra polish
This helps the designer address what matters most first.
Be Specific, Not Vague
Reference the User Perspective
Shift from “I think” to “the user might.”
Example:
“As a first-time visitor, I might not immediately understand what this product does.”
This keeps feedback objective and aligned with real-world experience.
Use Visual Annotations
Visual feedback saves time and avoids misinterpretation.
Tools you can use:
- Figma comments
- Markup.io
- Loom (for screen recordings)
- Annotated screenshots
A circled screenshot often communicates more clearly than a paragraph.
End With Trust and Openness
Close your feedback in a way that respects the designer’s expertise.
Example:
“These are just thoughts from my perspective — curious to hear your reasoning for these choices.”
This strengthens collaboration and mutual respect.
Final Thoughts
Great feedback empowers great design. By focusing on goals, clarity, user experience, and collaboration, you’ll help your designer produce their best work — and the final product will always reflect it.
Nice blog. Very useful when working with designers.