How to write constructive design comments

Cover of article How to write constructive design comments

Introduction

While working on a piece of graphic design–website, app, or any other piece, the designer and the client will need to communicate through text at some point in time, discussing little graphic details and correcting copy. This written communication can be a great tool to advance a design project, or it can be a source of frustration.

Trust me, nobody wants to deliberate over button shadows or text size more than needed. We are here to make things happen, to move things forward. This is why what you write in that little comment is so important.
Here are some examples of good and bad versions of design comments:

Trust me, nobody wants to deliberate over button shadows or text size more than needed. We are here to make things happen, to move things forward. This is why what you write in that little comment is so important.

6 examples of bad design comments and how to improve them

  • Capitalize this text.

    How you can improve it

    Change to “See How You Can Improve”.

    Why it's better

    If you ask to capitalize a piece of text, there are three variations of what you could get three variants:

    1. SEE HOW YOU CAN IMPROVE
    2. See how you can improve
    3. See How You Can Improve

    If you want a specific variation, type it in full.

  • Make it the same as in the previous slide.

    How you can improve it

    Copy style from here: www.link.com/newlink

    Why it's better

    Since the slide order can change, it is better to link directly to the reference. What you mean by the word “same” is only obvious to you.

  • Change to the other color.

    How you can improve it

    Change to green.

    Why it's better

    What you think of as “the other color” may differ from what a designer thinks. To avoid confusion, use a precise color name, or hex code #54FFE5
    Pro tip: designers love hex codes.

  • Make this button the same size as the other screen.

    How you can improve it

    Make this button the same size as here: www.link.com/newlink

    Why it's better

    Designers hop from screen to screen when going through your design comments. What you mean by “other screen” is only obvious to you. Do attach a link to your reference, or a screenshot.

  • Wrong color! I told you about this before, read the previous comments!

    How you can improve it

    Change to green.

    Why it's better

    Human error is common. Forgive your designer and just ask again for the same thing in the same tone and wording. Getting emotional in the comments is counter-productive.
    Pro tip: if you feel that you are misunderstood more than once–call.

  • Copy new text from the doc.

    How you can improve it

    Change to: ”Buy at your local store”

    Why it's better

    When addressing a single text correction, do the extra work and copy-paste the full sentence. Instead of directing the designer to a document and making him/her look for the correct copy, just paste the desired copy inside the comment. This way, you minimize potential mistakes and iterations. Note that when you do have a document with many fields of text, and they all need to be changed, it is OK to ask to copy-paste all of them in one comment.

Emojis, stickers, reactions

Emojis are a great way to add emotion and fun to communication inside the project. I use them all the time and encourage my clients to do it too. It’s much easier to express fun, acceptance, or frustration with a smiley face than in plain text. I have not yet seen an overuse or a misuse of emojis, stickers, or reactions in a professional environment. Prove me wrong?

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Summary

Here is a round-up of everything above:

  • Use copy-pastable content.
  • Link directly to your reference.
  • Use visual aids, links, arrows, screenshots when possible.
  • Precision, precision, and more precision.
  • Use emoji to vent and express emotion.
  • If you feel misunderstood more than once — call.

The use of textual communication is growing in product teams, and we use text all the time, so let’s do our best and keep it classy.

Keep in touch

My name is Mark and I’m a freelance Product Designer with over 10 years of experience. I provide UX UI design for startups, hyper-growth companies, and tech entrepreneurs. If you need design work or a consultation contact me via email, or visit my MediumInstagram, or LinkedIn.