How To Provide The Best Revision Feedback
Providing feedback for your designer is a crucial part of the process and ensures that your website/design/brand is exactly where you want it to be. Here are some do's and don'ts to follow.
✗ DON'T: "I don't like it"
✓ DO: “I love the typeface you used, but I don't feel like the layout represents my brand as well as it possibly could. I would love if we could try"
In order for your designer to make relevant changes, they need to know what you don't like and why you don't like it. Provide reasoning for every statement you make and suggest changes that you would like to see.
Remember, we choose everything for a reason because it resonates with your target audience and other strategy, so the design is much more than your personal preference.
✗ DON'T: "I think it looks really uncreative and I'm really disappointed"
✓ DO: "I can see that you've put a lot of time and effort into this design and I am very appreciative of that. However, I think I had some different ideas in mind such as ...."
We are humans that have feelings too:) We have probably spent hours and hours perfecting the design and it becoming a piece of work that we are really proud of. A little kindness goes a long way and in fact, that second statement is much more constructive.
In this situation, I would send over a few more examples of designs you like or amend your questionnaire. Usually, situations like this are a result of the client being unsure of what they want or not being clear enough.
✗ DON'T: "Can you move that bit of text underneath the other section and then center it and maybe also add a little line under my logo"
✓ DO: "I'm really liking the direction so far! Are there perhaps some changes to the logo that we could make so that it appears a little more centrally aligned? I would also like to see a little more detail if possible"
Dictating your changes to your designer using vague language isn't the most constructive way to get your vision across. Remember that your designer is the expert and they know what works and what doesn't, so listen to them and trust their decisions.
You may feel the urge to draw the logo yourself or create it in an app like Canva and then send it over to us. Please don't do this. Designers are hired for our ability to come up with creative solutions, not just to recreate the design that you have created that probably doesn't follow a lot of design principles or follows the strategy of your brand.
✗ DON'T: "Can I see make it more modern?"
✓ DO: "Could I possibly see a more modern design? I have sent over a few examples of what I mean by this—perhaps a thinner font and a simpler font?"
What modern means to you might be something totally different to us. The same goes for any adjective that you use such as "bold" or "badass". You need to tell us what you mean by “this” and send some visual examples so that we can understand what you mean and how to make the right changes.
File Types Explained
File types can be confusing! This is why we like to provide a break down of the different file types you will receive and how to use them.
Raster File Types
Pixel-based
Non-scalable / will loose quality when scaled or resized
Resolution dependent
JPG / JPEG
Jpeg’s is the most widely used file format and the majority of your graphics will be provided this way. It is commonly used for photos and graphics. Jpegs are ‘pixel based’, which means that when you scale them up, your image will start to loose quality and become blurry or pixelated.
Use me if:
You want to add an image / graphics to your website
You want to upload your logo or other graphics online and on social media such as Instagram
Don't use me if:
You need a logo or graphics with a transparent background
You are sending anything to be printed. As they are pixel based, they are often low quality when printed.
PNG
Png’s are also a pixel based file format. However, differentiating from jpeg, png’s are transparent, meaning that the background will be removed from any of your graphics.
Use me if:
You want a graphic with a transparent background, such as a watermark over photos or a header on your website.
Don't use me if:
You want to upload to Instagram. Instagram always decreases the quality of png files.
You are sending anything to be printed. As they are pixel based, they are often low quality when printed.
Vector File Types
Scalable (easily resized)
High quality
Common for graphics
Pdf’s are documents that can include multiple pages and are ideal for displaying print files such as price lists or business cards. Pdf’s are often the highest quality and you can zoom as much as you want without it becoming blurry. If you want to print any or your brand assets, printing companies will require your pdf files.
Use me if:
You are sending designs to be printed. Most printers prefer pdf’s as they are easy to prep and preview.
You need to display any documents online or over email (price lists, e-books, posters etc.)
Don't use me if:
You want to upload graphics anywhere. Pdf’s aren’t often uploadable file types
ESP
Eps files contain the raw vector design and can be edited in software like Adobe Illustrator. Should you ever find yourself working with an external designer such as a web designer or packaging designer, they will need access to these, but you shouldn't need to touch them*
Use me if:
You are working with another designer. They will appreciate having the raw files as they are high quality
You are sending large-scale designs to be printed such as billboards or signs.
Don't use me if:
You need a transparent graphic.
You are wanting to upload your graphics anywhere, eps files aren't often uploadable.
*We ask that you don't manipulate or change the design once you have received these files, please be careful with your eps files.
Updated: 03/01/2025