How to Prepare for Working with a Designer (What to Have Ready)
Investing in design support can be an exciting step - it means you’re ready to elevate your brand and take your business visuals to the next level. And while I know you’re super keen to get things started, a little preparation before you dive in will make the process smoother, quicker, and far more enjoyable. Doing a little groundwork before you start working with a designer will not only make the process smoother, it will also give you more confidence in the results.
I like to think of it as giving your designer the “ingredients” they need to create something beautiful and tailored for you. The more clarity you can provide at the start, the more your designer can focus on translating your vision into designs that feel both beautiful and effective.
1. Know your goals
Before you dive into the design process, take a moment to reflect on what you want to achieve. Are you aiming to attract new clients, launch a new service, or create more consistency in how your brand shows up? Defining your goals provides a clear foundation for your project. When your designer knows what success looks like for you, they can make design decisions that are not just visually appealing, but strategically aligned with your bigger picture.
2. Gather inspiration
Design is as much about emotion and mood as it is about layout and typography - which is why gathering inspiration can be so helpful. I encourage my client’s to create a Pinterest board, collect screenshots of designs they admire, or even clip pages from a magazine. And don’t worry about curating a perfect collection, the point of this exercise is to gather what resonates with you. Your designer will be able to look at your inspiration with a trained eye, spotting patterns and pulling out the elements that will translate well into your brand identity.
3. Clarify your content
Great design depends on having solid content to work with. I’ve worked in marketing and design for over a decade, and I’m a big believer that function and strategy must go hand in hand with design to create something that truly works for your business. If you’re creating a brochure, for example, having your copy drafted and refined before design begins means your designer can create a layout that flows seamlessly, instead of having to squeeze in last-minute text changes. The same applies for websites, social media graphics, or ebooks. The more polished your content is at the start, the more your designer can focus on creating a beautiful, functional piece.
4. Think about your audience
A beginner mistake is to solely focus on what looks good to you - but a strong brand or design project is one that connects and resonates with the people you most want to reach. Of course you want a brand that feels authentic, but I recommend that you also take some time to jot down who your audience is, what they value, and how you want them to feel when they see your visuals. Even a simple description of your ideal client is a powerful guide for your designer. With that insight, they can make choices around colour, style, and layout that create the right impression for your target audience - while still aligning with your brand vibe and values.
5. Be open to collaboration
The best design outcomes happen when both sides bring something to the table. You know your business and your audience better than anyone; your designer brings expertise in how to communicate that visually. Together, you can create work that feels authentic, purposeful, and aligned. Being open to feedback and collaboration throughout the process not only ensures a smoother experience, but often leads to results that exceed what you imagined at the start.
Final thoughts
Preparing for a design project doesn’t mean you need to have everything figured out — that’s what your designer is here for. But with clear goals, a little inspiration, and an openness to the process, you’ll be in the best position to get results that feel like a natural extension of your brand.
Ready to bring your next project to life? I’d love to help. Explore my graphic design services and see how we can work together to create designs that feel aligned and memorable.