What if I don't like the design? What if they don't give me what I'm looking for? These are thoughts almost every potential client has when thinking about working with an outside industrial designer. Some can't be answered until you're halfway through a project. Don't worry.
Here are 8 things you can do or should know:
Referrals:
Ask people you know if they have any recommendations. It's ok if you don't have any.
Share:
Tell a potential designer or studio what you are worried about. Share your concerns about the product, project, and relationship. The designers and studios you want to work with should have great customer service. They can ease your concerns before the project starts.
Examples:
Ask for examples of their work and ask about their process. Seeing what the deliverables were on a similar past project can shed some light on what you can expect.
Realistic Expectations:
No one is going to get it perfectly right on the first try. Understand that this is an iterative process and it will take time to find the right design. Seeing all of the ways you can create great experiences for your users and the different designs for your product is fun and exciting. Enjoy the process.
Inspiration Boards:
These are collections of images that represent your needs and desires for the project as well as the users. Typically there are 3 options that will visualize the aesthetics, interactions, users, materials, and the environment. This will give you an idea of the direction the designer will pursue. This will help them get on target quickly.
Feedback:
Find designers who can take feedback professionally. Ask a potential designer how they take feedback and how they incorporate it into their process. The goal is to find someone who will listen, consider the feedback, ask questions, find underlying issues related to it, and let their ego go when someone else has a great idea. I've worked on many projects when someone in marketing or engineering has had great ideas that I embraced.
Collaborate:
They should want to stand next to you and solve the product and user problems. If it feels like an us versus them conversation when discussing a project, walk away. This should be a collaborative relationship, even if you are giving the designer autonomy to run the project.
Give Feedback:
Don't be afraid to give honest feedback. Be professional. Communicate what works and what doesn't. Designers are professionals and you won't hurt our feelings. Negative feedback is as important as positive. Telling a designer what not to pursue is possibly more important than what you like. It's your responsibility to create the boundaries of what they are exploring. It's a designer's responsibility to show you a wide spectrum of what's possible.
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