The way you present work matters as much as the work itself. A brilliant design poorly presented will get rejected, while a good design well-presented gets approved.
Set the Stage
Before showing anything, recap:
– The brief and objectives
– Key insights from discovery
– Constraints you’re working within
This reminds clients of the context and criteria for evaluation.
Tell a Story
Don’t just show designs — explain your thinking. Walk clients through:
– The problem you’re solving
– Why you made specific choices
– How the design achieves their goals
Show Work in Context
Never present logos on white backgrounds or websites as flat screenshots. Show:
– Logos on business cards, signage, merchandise
– Websites on devices in realistic settings
– Apps being used in context
Limit Options
Present 2-3 directions maximum. Too many choices cause decision paralysis.
Anticipate Questions
Prepare answers for likely concerns:
– “How does this work on mobile?”
– “What about dark mode?”
– “Can we see it with different colors?”
Guide Feedback
Ask specific questions to get useful feedback:
– “Does this feel aligned with your brand values?”
– “Is there anything that feels off-brand?”
– “Which direction resonates most with you?”
