As if design wasn’t overwhelming enough – did you know that there is something that a lot of designers do that creates more overwhelm for their clients?

Of course, they don’t do it on purpose. It’s just that design school taught them how to design, not how to successfully communicate their designs to a client.

So what’s the thing many of us do that leads to more overwhelm for the client?

We present…. one…. design…. choice…. at…. a…. time.

Ugh! 😩

What does it look like when a designer presents one choice at a time?

It’s when a designer presents design options individually, rather than in the context of a complete design.

If you’re asking your clients if they like “this tile” separate from “this faucet” and “this light fixture,” you’re creating three big barriers to your clients making confident, efficient, helpful decisions!

3 Barriers to Progress

What are the three big barriers you create when you asking for lot of individual decisions?

1. You create a hot mess of a design.
   • You are asking for decisions out of context, meaning you could end up with a hot mess and a lot of redesign work. Your client will give you their best answers, but those answers might change once they see how all the ingredients go together.
2. You create an exhausted client.
   • You’re asking your client to make multiple tiny decisions, when it could have been just one chunky decision. That reduces the energy and brain capacity your client has for the next decision you need them to make.
3. You lose client trust.
   • Since you ended up with a light fixture that doesn’t go with the faucet, you’re going to have to ask the client to make another decision on the same item. That leaves them exhausted, wondering why you wasted their time and energy on the original decision.

What’s the solution?

Grouping!

*Group* your design options into coordinated “outfits” (just like a fashion stylist might do!)

By grouping your options into coordinated concepts your client only has to pick one “outfit,” without worrying about all the pieces that make up the combination. Once they choose the coordinated “look” then all you have to do is help re-shop an element or two that go with the chosen “look.”

If you’re already grouping your design concepts together – great job! You’re reducing the number of overall decisions that your clients have to make, helping them stay fresh and clearheaded through the process. 👍

Now make sure that you have lots of tools in your tool box for helping them actually choose between options… that’s where the real magic come into play! Stay tuned for my next post sharing one of my favorite simple. but powerful, in-session techniques for helping clients make quick, confident decisions.

💕 You’ve got this!

PS: Need to work on your skills helping your clients make quick, confident decisions? I offer 1 to 1 coaching sessions that can help you leap-frog your way into success. Why get there slowly when you can get their fast? You can schedule a session here!