Design is negotiation, not decoration
How I learned to push back (kindly) and design what actually works
3 MIN
JUNE 23, 2025
Design isn’t about saying yes to every request.
It’s about finding the balance between what the client wants and what the user needs. When I started freelancing, I said yes to everything:
“Can we add more animations?” → Sure.
“Can you make the logo bigger?” → Of course.
Result? Pretty screens, but zero impact.
Projects that looked nice on Dribbble, but didn’t perform in the real world.
1. Translate requests into goals
When a client says:
“Can you make this section pop?”
I don’t just nod. I ask:
What outcome are you hoping for?
Is it about grabbing attention? Increasing trust? Guiding users to the CTA?
90% of the time, what they want is clarity, not glitter.
My job is to dig beneath the request and uncover the real problem.
2. Put the user first, always
Clients hire me, but users decide if the business succeeds.
So I ask myself constantly:
Does this make the user’s life easier?
Does this reduce friction or add it?
Would I enjoy using this?
The client may want bold colors and five call-to-action buttons.
But the user probably wants one clear next step.
And I fight for that.
3. Educate with empathy
Pushing back doesn’t mean being arrogant.
It means showing clients the why.
Example: Instead of saying, “This is a bad idea,”
I’ll say:
“If we add three CTAs here, users might get confused and drop.
If we keep just one, conversion rates usually go up by 20–30%. Do you want to test that?”
It reframes the conversation. Now it’s not about my taste vs their taste.
It’s about outcomes.
4. Be a partner, not a robot
Anyone can execute requests.
But if you want to build trust (and better projects), you need to be the voice that guides, not just the hand that designs.
I don’t want to be a pixel-pusher.
I want to be a thought partner. Someone who challenges assumptions, keeps the user at the center, and ensures the final product delivers real impact.
Final thought: Good design is a conversation
It’s not about ego. It’s not about compromise.
It’s about having a dialogue — between the business, the client, and the user.
If your client want someone who’ll just decorate, kindly say: I’m not your guy.
But if they want a designer who’ll think, negotiate, and design for impact, then you should talk.
👉🏽 Curious how I apply this process to real projects?
Check out my work or start your project with me.
Amal
Inside The Loop ✦
