As a UX/UI designer, I work with various clients, each with their own unique needs, habits, and level of design vocabulary. Most clients struggle to provide precise and constructive feedback, or they are hesitant to offer criticism that might hurt designers’ feelings. Our role is to help them express their thoughts and concerns in a way that benefits the project.
With this blog, I aim to provide designers with concrete techniques to lead effective conversations and receive better feedback, while also offering clients straightforward guidelines to express themselves more clearly and understand what to expect from the process.
Tips for Designers: How to guide clients toward more useful feedback
It’s in your client’s best interest to share their thoughts clearly, so they can end up with a design that truly works for them. But clients don’t always know how to express what’s on their mind. You’ve probably heard something like, “Something feels off…” which leaves you guessing what that actually means. It’s on you to lead the conversation when it comes to feedback. By asking the right questions and steering the discussion, you can turn vague statements into actionable feedback.
1. Ask specific questions
We have all heard vague answers like “I don’t like it, but I don’t know why” at least once from our clients. This kind of feedback could be dangerous because it’s not constructive or actionable for fixing. So, asking specific questions to narrow down the problem is a good way to start understanding your client.
Here are a couple of questions that can help you lead the conversation:
- “Is there anything on this screen that distracts you?”
- “Are all the details you wanted clearly displayed?”
- “Do you feel something is missing on this page?”
- “How does the order of elements feel? Would you swap anything around?”
2. Use visual references
Not everyone can easily visualize what you tell them. Instead of abstract conversations, show clients something tangible: mood boards, inspiration pages, or early wireframes.
Dig deeper after a comment. If a client says, “I like this website,” ask:
- “Do you like the structure of the content, the animations, or the color scheme?”
- “What stood out the most to you?”
This way, you avoid misunderstandings (e.g., you think they mean layout, but they were talking about colors).
Keep in mind that fast “scroll-through presentations” rarely produce quality feedback. Slower, more mindful reviews do. So, give clients time to think and encourage them to write down their impressions.
3. Don’t expect design jargon
Most clients are not familiar with UX/UI terms. It’s your job to translate impressions into actionable items.
- Client: “I don’t know why, it just feels off.” → You: “What specifically stands out – layout, colors, or imagery?”
When the feedback is vague, follow it up: “Can you describe what would feel more natural?” or “How would you expect this to work?”
How to receive feedback
- Listen because even poorly worded criticism can hide something valuable. Don’t immediately defend yourself. Criticism can often feel like a personal attack, but you must remember it’s not about you. The priority should be to create a design that makes the clients and users happy.
- Ask further questions to encourage a conversation. Instead of “That’s not how it’s meant to work,” try: “Can you tell me how you’d expect this to work?”
- Summarize decisions to check that you are on the same page. At the end of a conversation, ask: “So, we’ll change the order, make the button stronger, and consider another background color – does that sound right?”
Tips for Clients: How to look at design
In UX/UI, visual details (colors, fonts, icons) usually come last. Before that, it’s essential to review functionality and clarity of structure. Here’s how you can focus your feedback:
1. Focus on the structure
Look at how the information is arranged and whether it makes sense for the user. Instead of reacting to colors or visuals first, take a step back and follow the flow of content.
- What catches your eye first? Is it the most important element?
- What is the second thing you look at? Does it naturally guide you deeper into the content?
- Is the hierarchy clear and easy to follow?
- Does the sequence as a whole feel logical and does it help you understand the message without confusion?
2. Don’t get stuck on colors and fonts right away
Visual adjustments are easy to make. But if the structure is wrong, it’s much harder to fix it later. That’s why, in the early stages, it’s more helpful to comment on navigation, hierarchy, and content placement rather than just aesthetics.
3. Be more constructive
You don’t need design vocabulary. Instead of saying “I don’t like it,” try phrases that offer clarity:
- “I expected this information earlier.”
- “It’s difficult to find this button.”
- “This section feels clear, and I like the order.”
- “Could this element be made more prominent?”
These guide the designer toward practical improvements.
Conclusion
Effective design feedback is a skill – one that neither clients nor designers are naturally equipped with, but both can actively develop. To my designers, your job is to guide the conversation, ask the right questions, and translate client impressions into actionable tasks. And to any clients, focus on design in layers, first structure and functionality, then visuals, and don’t be afraid to tell us if you don’t like something.
When both sides approach feedback as a collaborative process (clear, constructive, and open to reflection), the results speak for themselves: better communication, faster progress, and designs that not only look good but truly work.
