Once a manuscript or film script is approved, the whole team gets excited about seeing their ideas come to life. Up until this point, everyone may have had a different visual in mind. Over the years, we’ve learned just how important it is to bring designers into this journey early.

Designers are incredible creatives, trained not only to work at full creative capacity but also to make the design process smooth and efficient. The best designers we’ve worked with don’t just bring ideas to life—they enhance them. And crucially, they keep the project moving forward, even through rounds of feedback and refinements. Their ability to create is what transforms books and films from ideas on a screen into something real, something visual, something tangible.

So how do you work with a designer in a way that brings out the best in your project? Here’s what we’ve learned.

Start With a Strong Brief

A well-structured brief is the foundation of a great collaboration. It should give your designer all the key information while also leaving space for discussion. A great brief doesn’t just explain the project—it invites conversation.

Let your designer ask questions. Be open to challenging your own vision. The goal is to collaborate and refine ideas together. Share references—what has worked for you before and what hasn’t? And don’t be afraid to show examples of things you dislike, too. Knowing what to avoid is just as useful as knowing what to aim for.

Also, be specific with your language. Words like “contemporary,” “organic,” or “playful” can mean different things to different people. Providing examples can help ensure everyone is on the same page.

Be Clear on Priorities

Every project has constraints—whether it’s time, budget, or creative ambition. Be upfront about your priorities when briefing your designer. Do you need to move fast? Stay within a strict budget? Or is this a passion project where creative freedom comes first?

Knowing what matters most will help your designer focus their efforts in the right direction.

Filter Feedback Before Passing It On

One of the biggest challenges in any creative process is managing feedback. Before passing comments to your designer, filter them with your team first.

Ask yourself:

  • Who really needs to be involved in giving feedback?
  • Who understands both the brand and this specific project?
  • Can we divide feedback responsibilities?

 

For example, one person might focus on branding consistency, while another checks for factual accuracy. Keeping feedback organised prevents overwhelm and keeps the process efficient.

Understand the Design Process

If you’re new to working with designers, it can be tricky to know what level of polish to expect at different stages. The best way to navigate this? Ask.

Find out how many rounds of feedback are expected and what kind of input is most useful at each stage. Early on, there’s room for big changes—like adjusting the color palette or typography. But as the project progresses, feedback should become more focused on refining details, not reversing major decisions.

Understanding where you are in the process will help you give feedback that’s both timely and constructive.

Don’t Jump to Solutions

It’s natural to want to suggest fixes when giving feedback, but sometimes pointing out a problem is more helpful than offering a solution.

For example, instead of saying, “Make this text bigger,” try, “This text doesn’t stand out enough—how can we make it clearer?” Designers have expertise in layout, readability, and production details you might not be aware of. Giving them space to suggest solutions often leads to better results.

Know Your Vision (or Be Open to Theirs)

Finally, ask yourself: Do I have a clear vision, or am I open to the designer’s interpretation?

If you know exactly what you want, communicate it clearly from the start—it will save time and effort. But if you’re unsure, this is a great opportunity to let your designer bring their expertise and creativity to the table. Some of the best designs come from unexpected ideas, so staying open to exploration can lead to amazing results.

At Hyphen, we love working with talented designers, and we’ve seen firsthand how a strong feedback process can turn good work into great work. Whether you’re designing a book, a film, or any other creative project, these tips will help make the process smoother—and the result even better.

Want to chat about your next project? Get in touch!

 

– Rairu Rebolledo, Designer.