Clear communication: the silent architect of good design

Communication: the backbone of good design

Designers are often hailed as visual storytellers, but their success often hinges on something far less visible: clear communication. Think back to anything you’ve created – whether a sleek interface, a simple print campaign, or a stunning rebrand – it probably involved a whirlwind of email chains, calls, meetings, and feedback loops. Designers, clients, production teams, and collaborators all had to stay in sync to bring the project to life because, as artist David Shrigley aptly put it, Weak Messages Create Bad Situations – and nobody wants to sit through a project review that feels like everyone was working to a different brief.

So, how do the best in the industry communicate clearly, even when words aren’t their primary medium? You’re about to find out! We’ll dive into how designers from top studios like New Studio and Studio Yukiko approach the complexities of communication. Plus, we’ll gather practical tips from Rachel Worthman and Ashley Furrell Keenan at Grammarly, where smooth communication is both a science and an art. Because, as we’ll see, even the smallest miscommunication can lead to a whole lot of unnecessary chaos.

Lessons from Studio Yukiko: navigating cross-cultural collaboration

Design is rarely a solo endeavour. It’s a team sport, and often, it’s played on a global field. For Michelle Phillips and Johannes Conrad, co-founders of Berlin’s Studio Yukiko, communication is both the glue and the challenge. Their magazine Flaneur explores one street per issue, each in a different city, which means they collaborate with a new cast of local designers, writers, and artists each time. And with that comes the fun (and chaos) of navigating language barriers and cultural differences.

“When you’re working with people who speak different languages, things can get lost in translation,” says Michelle. “Even simple instructions can be misinterpreted.” Johannes jumps in with a story: “We had a brief that was clear in English, but when translated, ‘minimal’ became much more elaborate. In that culture, minimal meant something very different!” These moments highlight the subtle complexities of cross-cultural communication, where even the most straightforward directives can take on new meanings.

To avoid these kinds of mishaps, Studio Yukiko has mastered the art of over-communication. “We always leave space for questions and clarifications,” Michelle explains. “It’s better to have more discussions upfront than deal with last-minute surprises.” The team sets clear objectives early on, ensuring everyone is aligned with the vision. “We respect the vision of our collaborators and give them space to work independently,” she adds, “but building in time for deeper conversations helps keep everyone on track.”

Their advice? Be patient, ask more questions than you think you need to, and never assume everyone is on the same page. Misunderstandings will happen, but with open dialogue and a willingness to clarify, they’ve turned what could be roadblocks into creative opportunities.

New Studio: managing remote teams with clarity

For Axel Peemoeller and Rita Matos, co-founders of New Studio, communication isn’t just important, it’s their studio’s lifeblood. Based between the U.S. and Portugal, their team relies almost entirely on written communication to manage projects across time zones. Axel admits that being a remote studio presents unique challenges: “You lose out on spontaneous conversations. You have to be very intentional about making sure everyone’s on the same page.”

Rita adds, “We learned early on that clear and concise communication was non-negotiable. If the systems aren’t in place, things unravel quickly.” For them, success is all about setting up the right infrastructure: weekly check-ins, feedback loops, and a shared commitment to clarity. It’s not just about what you say, but how you say it.

New Studio’s biggest lesson? Build a communication framework that works for everyone. “We’ve had misunderstandings where a simple typo changed the entire direction of a project,” Axel recalls. “Clear writing and regular check-ins prevent those issues from escalating.”

Healthy disagreement: the foundation of good communication

At Grammarly, “healthy disagreement” is a core principle – because, let’s be honest, disagreements are inevitable in any creative process. For Rachel Worthman, product designer at Grammarly, the trick is not avoiding disagreement but learning how to navigate it productively. On her first day at the company, she was given a key piece of advice: “Assume good intent.” It’s a simple but powerful shift in mindset that helps build trust and makes it easier to have the kind of tough conversations that lead to better work.

“Healthy disagreement requires effective communication,” Rachel explains. “It can be daunting to push back, especially if you’re someone who avoids conflict. But it’s necessary for growth.” Over time, she’s learned how to ask clarifying questions, keep conversations objective, and maintain respect and kindness. It’s about cultivating an environment where disagreement isn’t feared but welcomed as part of the creative process.

Her colleague, Ashley Furrell Keenan, senior design programme manager at Grammarly, echoes that sentiment. She believes the key to effective communication is acknowledging that “everyone will understand your message differently” and adjusting your delivery accordingly. Her rule of thumb? “Tell them what you’re going to tell them, tell them, then tell them what you told them.” Clear, straightforward repetition helps ensure that nothing gets lost in translation, especially in remote or written communication.

Everyone’s favourite psychotherapist, Esther Perel, has taken what she’s learned in couples therapy and applied it to the world of work, because as much as we all mask to a certain degree in the workplace, our old emotional issues and hang-ups play out in the relationship dynamics with our colleagues, creative partners or clients.

In one of her articles, Perel quotes Dr. Howard Markman, who identifies three hidden dimensions beneath most relationship impasses: power and control (who has influence and decision-making power, who wants it, what tension is this imbalance creating); care and closeness (does this person have my back, are they coming from a good place?); and respect and recognition (integrity and value – is this person treating me well and honouring my contribution?). In any work-related conflict, Perel encourages us to explore which of these dynamics are at play and acknowledge our own role in the tension. Her advice? Start with what you agree on. Stay humble, remain curious, and instead of assuming you know the whole story, ask yourself: What am I not asking?

The cost of miscommunication: ill communication leads to chaos

No one escapes the occasional communication fail. Even the best designers have stories of projects going completely off the rails due to misunderstandings. For Axel at New Studio, these moments often come down to small but critical errors. “We’ve had colour palettes change from ‘cool blues’ to ‘coal black’ because of a typo,” he laughs, a lighthearted reminder of how easily things can spiral out of control.

But it’s not just about catching typos. Miscommunication in design is often emotional. Design, by its nature, is subjective, and trying to explain something as abstract as a mood or concept is never simple. Axel notes, “Sometimes it’s more a feeling than a formula. I might think I’ve explained something perfectly, but the other person interprets it differently. You have to be flexible and creative with how you communicate – video calls, visual references, even sound effects if necessary.”

When things go wrong, their approach is simple: take a step back and reassess. Clear up any confusion by revisiting the original brief, asking clarifying questions, and reopening the lines of communication. “We are all human, and misunderstandings happen; that’s fine. It’s always a learning curve about ourselves and each other.” The goal isn’t to point fingers but to get everyone back on track as smoothly as possible.

Design and conquer: communication tips to keep things on track

So, we know that communication is key to good design, but what about some extracurricular guidance for those tricky areas of the job? We’ve gone deeper on some practical advice to help you get more from a crit, stay calm in a presentation, deliver a productive workshop, and field a myriad of feedback like a pro.

Conclusion: creating a culture of communication

Whether it’s across cultures, remote teams, or creative disagreements, the key to successful design lies in clear communication. It’s not glamorous, but it’s the glue that holds everything together. Studio Yukiko, New Studio, and the team at Grammarly know that the best ideas are only as good as the communication behind them.

Here’s what we’ve learned from the pros:

• Clarity is king: Whether it’s an email, a brief, or feedback, make sure your message is clear. Avoid vagueness at all costs – it’s the easiest way to cause confusion.
• Check-in regularly: Communication isn’t a one-time thing. Regularly check in to make sure everyone is still aligned.
• Don’t fear disagreement: Healthy disagreements can lead to better ideas. Trust and respect are the foundations of productive conflict.
• Build the right systems: Tools like Grammarly and regular feedback loops ensure everyone stays on the same page and avoids miscommunication.

Good communication transforms design from chaos to clarity. It turns great ideas into great work and keeps teams aligned through the messiness of the creative process. Miscommunication will happen, but with the right tools, systems, and mindset, it doesn’t have to derail your work. Prioritise clear, thoughtful communication and you’ll see how it transforms not just your projects but your creative relationships too.