In the creative industry, clarity is everything. A common challenge designers face is receiving vague references — such as a website link or an image — without any explanation of what the client actually likes about it. While inspiration is helpful, general input without specifics can easily lead to misinterpretation.
To the average viewer, a design might simply feel right. But to creatives, that “feeling” is the result of multiple elements working together — colors, typography, layout, spacing, composition, mood, and more. Without clear direction on what aspect stood out to you, there’s a high risk that we might interpret it differently from what you intended.
Why It Matters
Imagine you send a sleek website to your designer, thinking, “This is exactly the kind of vibe I want.” You might be drawn to the minimalistic layout, the color scheme, or the font choice — but unless you say so, your designer could focus on the wrong thing. They might replicate the color tones when what you loved was the image style or the sense of spaciousness. The result? A design that technically followed your brief but feels “off.”
How to Figure Out What You Like
Not sure how to explain why you like a design? Try this:
Look beyond the surface: Is it the mood the design evokes — calm, energetic, luxurious, fun?
Identify elements: Do you like the font, the way things are arranged, the balance of visuals and text, the color combinations?
Use comparisons: What makes this design better than others you’ve seen?
Be emotional, then analytical: Start with how it makes you feel, then look at what in the design is creating that feeling.
How to Communicate It Clearly
When sharing a link, screenshot, or reference, add a quick note like:
“I like the clean layout and white space — feels modern and uncluttered.”
“The pastel colors and soft fonts give off a gentle, welcoming vibe I’d love.”
“This one stands out because of the way the images are laid out — very organized.”
Even if you’re not a design expert, simply pointing out what you’re responding to helps immensely. Art and design are subjective, but objective communication helps make subjective preferences actionable.
In Summary
Designers don’t just copy inspiration — we translate it. The more specific you are about what speaks to you, the more accurately we can create something that truly fits your brand, audience, and intention. Clear communication leads to less back-and-forth, fewer revisions, and better results.
So next time something “just feels right,” take a moment to pause and unpack why. Your creative team will thank you — and you’ll love the final product even more.
(Credits: Pexels)