How to Work with a Designer (and Actually Get What You Need)
A guide for good eggs doing good work—aka, you.
You’re running a nonprofit, a school, a church—some mission-driven effort that’s juggling 17 things before lunch. You probably didn’t get into this thinking, “I would love to hire a graphic designer and figure out how to speak fluent Creative!”
But here you are. And here we are.
Let’s make this easy—and even a little fun.
What Designers Actually Do (Spoiler: It’s Not Just “Make It Pretty”)
Design isn’t just decoration. It’s communication. It’s strategy. It’s about helping you reach people, raise money, clarify your message, and actually get folks to read the thing you worked so hard to write.
We’re not just here to make things “look nice"—we’re here to solve real problems.
But: we can’t solve problems we don’t understand. That’s where you come in!
Start With the What and the Why
Before we even open a design file, we need a clear picture of what you’re trying to do. Start with the basics:
- What’s the goal?
- Who are you trying to reach?
- What do you want them to do?
- Why does it matter right now?
“We need to raise $15K in three weeks or our youth program gets cut.”
That? That’s gold.
The more detailed and dimensional your ask, the better we can work.
Give us the real problem—and trust us to help you find creative, effective solutions! You don’t need to map it all out. That’s what we’re here for.
Give Feedback Like a Pro (Even If You're New to This)
You don’t need to speak in fonts and hex codes. Feedback is about clarity, not credentials! Here’s how to make it helpful:
Be specific
“This feels too formal—
we’re a sneakers and potluck kind of place.”
That tells us everything!
“Make it pop”?
Not so much.
“This feels too formal—
we’re a sneakers and potluck kind of place.”
That tells us everything!
“Make it pop”?
Not so much.
Be honest
If something’s off, say so.
We can’t fix what we don’t know isn’t working.
If something’s off, say so.
We can’t fix what we don’t know isn’t working.
Stay mission-focused
Remind us what this design needs to do. Get RSVPs? Raise awareness? Move hearts?
That’s the target.
Remind us what this design needs to do. Get RSVPs? Raise awareness? Move hearts?
That’s the target.
Use examples
Share old flyers, links, screenshots—whatever helps us see what’s in your head.
“Can it feel more like this postcard from last spring?”
is a great place to start.
Share old flyers, links, screenshots—whatever helps us see what’s in your head.
“Can it feel more like this postcard from last spring?”
is a great place to start.
And truly: no need to apologize for giving feedback! This isn’t a guessing game—we want to hear from you early, clearly, and often. Creative work doesn’t just happen. It takes real research, intention, and time. The more insight and response you share with us, the stronger and more strategic the work becomes!
Keep the Lines Open
We’re not just a pair of hands—we’re an extension of your team. The more we understand your organization—your tone, your values, your constraints—the stronger the work gets.
Check-ins, mid-project updates, “hey this changed” messages: send them! Real talk is welcome here.
Build the Relationship, Not Just the Project
When you treat your designer like a one-time fix, you’ll always be starting from scratch. But when you build a real working relationship?
Magic happens.
We start to understand your audience, your board, your weird print deadline from the district office. We remember what your gala theme was last year and how you like your donation buttons labeled.
That kind of trust doesn’t just make the work easier—it makes it better. Stronger branding. More donor engagement. Messaging that actually works.
Basically: we become that helpful neighbor who brings soup when you’re overwhelmed and shows up to move chairs before you ask.
Trust the Process—and the Person
Design takes time. It’s not always a straight line. There’s experimenting, revising, testing, refining. You might not love the first draft. That’s okay!
Just keep talking to us. Tell us what feels off and what feels right.
Trust the process. Trust the collaboration. We’ll get there—together.
Don’t Ghost Us
We know you’re busy. We’re right there with you.
But disappearing for three weeks mid-project? That slows everything down—and yes, maybe makes us cry a little inside. (Okay, not really. But kind of.)
If something comes up, just send a quick message. We’ll flex. We’re human too.
(Designers: your “stop ghosting clients” pep talk is coming next.)
Say Thank You (and Let Us Brag on You!)
If we’ve made something you’re proud of, celebrate it! Share it. Tag us. Let us include it in our portfolio (we’ll always ask first).
That visibility helps us get more clients like you—smart, mission-driven folks doing good work.
Because in the end, great design isn’t just about a deliverable. It’s about the relationship.