Picture this: you’ve just nailed a slick new design for your latest project, which feels just right. But then, armed with a benevolent smile, someone chirps up, “I showed it to my daughter, and she just didn't get it…” Suddenly, your well-defined project starts to morph into something unrecognizable. Welcome to the dreaded world of design by committee, where too many cooks don’t just spoil the broth—they turn it into a bizarre, inedible stew.
The Perils of Design by Committee: Why It Falls Apart
The main issue with design by committee isn’t the input itself—it’s the source and volume of it. When everyone from the neighbor to the CEO's third cousin twice removed has a say, you're no longer crafting a vision; you're patching together a Frankenstein's monster of conflicting ideas. Here’s why that doesn’t work:
Lack of Cohesion: With too many opinions, your design can become a disjointed mess that pleases no one and confuses everyone.
Diluted Impact: Great design often comes from bold choices. Committees tend to be risk-averse, leading to safe, bland results.
Endless Revisions: More opinions mean more revisions. And suddenly, you’re in revision limbo with no end in sight.
Frustration and Burnout: For designers, accommodating every viewpoint can be exhausting and demoralizing, often zapping the joy from the creative process.
Slowed Progress: Every added opinion means more time for debating and less time for doing. Deadlines? What deadlines?
Subjective vs. Objective Conflicts: Feedback based on personal preferences rather than strategic goals can dilute the design’s effectiveness and confuse its purpose.
Paralysis by Analysis: Exploring endless design possibilities can lead to decision paralysis, delaying progress and causing missed opportunities.
5 Things Your Designer Wishes You’d Do
Now that we’ve navigated the minefield of committee-led design let’s pivot to something more constructive. Here are five things your designer secretly (or not so secretly) wishes you would do:
Trust the Expert: Remember why you hired a designer in the first place? Trust their expertise and let them guide the visual journey.
Consolidate Feedback: Instead of a free-for-all, appoint a single point of contact to collect and consolidate feedback. This helps maintain clarity and direction.
Be Specific: Instead of vague comments like “make it pop,” provide specific, actionable feedback that can be directly implemented.
Set Clear Goals: Define what success looks like at the beginning. A clear target gives your designer a solid direction.
Respect the Process: Good design isn’t instant—it’s a process. Respect the time and steps involved to get to a great final product.
Learn from the Best (Mistakes)
For a bit of lighthearted but educational viewing, check out the classic video on the design process of a stop sign on YouTube. It’s a favorite of design enthusiasts everywhere, including Elizabeth, who swears it’s a must-watch for anyone involved in creative projects. This video brilliantly highlights the often ludicrous nature of committee decisions in the creative industry. Watch it here!
Wrapping Up
So, the next time someone suggests showing your design to their neighbor, take a deep breath and gently steer the conversation back to the people whose opinions truly matter: the designated team and, ultimately, the target audience. Remember, while everyone has opinions, not all are beneficial for the art of design. Stick to the essentials, keep it professional, and keep those neighbors at bay—unless the neighbor is a respected designer!
To learn more about our series, visit our Cringe page.
