What do you do if your design solutions need to be understood by non-designers?

1 Know your audience

Before you present or explain your design solutions, you need to know who you are talking to and what they care about. Different audiences may have different goals, expectations, and backgrounds, so you need to tailor your message accordingly. For example, a business stakeholder may want to know how your design aligns with the project objectives and budget, while a developer may want to know how your design can be implemented and tested. Do some research on your audience and find out what they need to know, what questions they may have, and what language they use.

2 Simplify your visuals

Visuals are a powerful way to communicate your design solutions, but they can also be confusing or distracting if they are too complex or cluttered. To avoid this, you need to simplify your visuals and focus on the key elements that convey your design concept and value proposition. You can use techniques such as wireframes, sketches, mockups, prototypes, or infographics to show your design solutions at different levels of fidelity and detail. You can also use colors, icons, labels, annotations, or legends to highlight the important features or functions of your design. Remember to use consistent and clear visual language and avoid unnecessary or ambiguous elements.

4 Use plain language

When you talk or write about your design solutions, you need to use plain language that your audience can easily understand and follow. Plain language means using simple and direct words and sentences, avoiding jargon or acronyms, explaining technical terms or concepts, and using active voice and positive tone. You can also use bullet points, headings, summaries, or questions to structure your content and highlight the main points or takeaways. Remember to check your grammar, spelling, and punctuation, and use tools such as Hemingway or Grammarly to improve your readability and clarity.

5 Invite feedback

Finally, you need to invite feedback from your audience and listen to their opinions, questions, or concerns. Feedback can help you validate, improve, or refine your design solutions, as well as build trust and rapport with your audience. You can use techniques such as surveys, polls, interviews, or tests to collect feedback from your audience, and use tools such as Google Forms, SurveyMonkey, or Typeform to analyze and present the results. You can also use methods such as brainstorming, workshops, or co-design to involve your audience in the design process and co-create solutions with them.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?