Lessons from My Toughest Design Project

We’ve all been there, that one project that makes you question your entire career choice. For me, it was a brand identity for a startup. The client had big dreams, but their vision was... let’s just say, a little blurry. They weren’t sure what they wanted, and their feedback was all over the place. One round, they said, “It’s too playful.” The next, “Can you make it more fun?” I honestly felt like I was trying to design a unicorn that could also do taxes.

Every time I thought I was done, they came back with new ideas. It felt like the goalposts kept moving, and I was stuck in a never-ending feedback loop. I spent hours tweaking and overthinking every color, font and shape. But nothing seemed to work. After the 10th revision, I was ready to toss my laptop out the window (don’t worry, I didn’t). I started to wonder if I was even cut out for this whole design thing.

Then, it hit me. Instead of guessing what the client wanted based on vague feedback, I needed to ask the right questions. So, I stopped playing the guessing game, scheduled a proper session with them, and boom…instant success!

The Big Shift: Asking the Right Questions

We finally sat down, and I decided it was time to get to the root of things. No more vague feedback. I asked about their brand’s story, their mission, and how they wanted people to feel when they saw their brand. What was their purpose? Who were they trying to connect with?

That’s when everything clicked. I finally understood the why behind the brand, and from there, the design started to take shape. It wasn’t just about creating a beautiful logo and calling it a day, it was about telling their story through visuals that felt authentic to them. Once I had that clarity, the design practically designed itself.

What I Learned

• Ask Better Questions: Don’t just assume you know what the client wants, because you probably don’t. Dig deep, find out how they want their audience to feel. If they say "bold," ask what bold means to them. Because trust me, “bold” can mean “vibrant and lively” to one person and “dark and mysterious” to another.

  
  

• Collaboration is a Lifesaver: Design isn’t a one-man show. Some of my best ideas came from conversations, even the awkward ones. Sometimes, just listening to a client ramble about their vision can spark something brilliant. Other times? Well, you’ll both realize together that “edgy but elegant” was never going to work.

  
  

• Trust the Process: Designs rarely come out perfect on the first try, or the second or even the third but that’s okay. The struggle is part of the process.

  
  

• Stay Resilient: Some days, you’ll stare at your screen wondering if you accidentally signed up for stress as a hobby but those are the days that shape you. Eventually, the breakthrough will come, and you’ll be glad you didn’t fling your laptop out the window.

  
  

• Know When to Push Back: You’re the designer, not just a “yes person.” If a client suggests something that doesn't work, speak up. Politely, of course. You’re not just there to make things pretty, you’re there to solve problems. And sometimes, the problem is the client’s idea.

  
  

• Design is a Language: At the end of the day, design isn’t about aesthetics alone. It’s communication. Whether it’s a logo, color palette, or UI layout, it’s all about telling a story that resonates. And when you nail that? Chef’s kiss.

After All Said and Done

After all the back-and-forth, the final design hit just right. The client loved it, and I was proud of it. It reminded me why I’m in this game, to help brands tell their stories, not just make things “pop.”

So, if you’re deep in the trenches of a tough project, just remember . it gets better. Keep asking questions, stay resilient and trust the process. The best designs often come after the most frustrating challenges.

And, hey, if nothing else, you’ll have some killer stories to tell once it’s done.