ARTICLE
How to Better Design Together
Designing together requires more than just tools and templates; it thrives on a foundation of communication and the careful management of time. Quisque facilisis velit ut justo aliquam, non interdum tortor interdum. Without open dialogue, ideas remain isolated, and the potential for collaboration diminishes. Fusce pretium sollicitudin elit, vel fermentum elit tempor vel. Regular check-ins, active listening, and the space to share diverse perspectives are crucial components of any team effort.
As a designer, I always collaborate with at least one person, and often more, to complete a project. So teamwork is definetely not new to me, and I’d like to share what I’ve learned about designing together. (I might handle the Figma file and research, but the rest comes from you.)
How I understand working "together"
Now, you may not end up working with me, but if you’re reading this, the odds are definitely above 0%. So, let me explain my understanding of working together. It’s actually pretty simple, and can be summed up in one sentence:
"We all want the same thing, we just don't know it yet"
Most of the time, if you are in a team in the first place, it’s because of a shared interest or goal. That alone shows that you are heading toward the same finish line. The challenge, though, is that each team member might visualize that finish line differently.This difference in perspective can lead to misunderstandings, wasted time, and sometimes even tension.
So while it’s impossible to satisfy everyone completely, there are simple steps to ensure the finish line is, at the very least, in the same spot for everyone. And with the right discussions, you might even agree on the color, height, and every other detail of that finish line.
Designing together means improving together
Before taking any of these seemingly simple steps, it’s important to understand your team. What each person is good at and what they bring to the table.
For example, I might offer insights on accessibility norms and the importance of alternative navigation, while your engineers could highlight the team’s development bandwidth and the technical feasibility of compliance.
But the great thing is that once we share this knowledge, everyone learns from it (and ideally remembers it) for future projects. And when everyone understands let's say 5% of each other’s expertise or challenges, you’ve already got a solid foundation to start from.
The "simple" steps
So here are the steps I take when tackling a project with a new team.
- I ask the project lead to explain the context, scope, and objectives of the project.
- I check with other stakeholders to see if what was stated aligns with their understanding.
- We review together if the project should be reevaluated in terms of feasability.
- We align on the expected results, both in terms of timeline and details.
Why involving everyone is important? I’ve had cases where the people responsible for implementing my designs weren’t even aware of the full scope or my exact role in the project. That’s why it’s important to align everyone from the start, bringing the discovery process together with all stakeholders involved in making it happen. After all, my Figma files won’t develop or print themselves.
Why is this simple in theory? What I’ve listed is ideally what you’d want to cover in the first meeting, but it’s often not the case. Not all stakeholders may be available, the project might not be fully scoped, timelines might be too tight for the desired level of detail and quality, and so on.
So what can be done? Foster open communication! Document each step that’s agreed upon and share feedback quickly. Make sure any stakeholders who weren’t present in the initial meeting are made aware of decisions. Personally, I ensure this by offering follow-up meetings and one-on-one catch-ups on important topics that need attention.
In conclusion
Working together is simple, but situations often make it challenging. What’s crucial to remember is that we all want the same thing: an amazing result. And open communication, alignment, and collaboration are the key. By keeping everyone informed and involved, you create an environment where success is more likely, and the project benefits from everyone’s expertise.