Creative feedback is one of those things everyone thinks they’re good at—until they get back something that totally misses the mark. The truth is, how you give feedback determines whether your team hits the target faster… or spirals into endless revisions.
Good feedback unlocks better work. Bad feedback kills momentum.
Here’s how to keep it clear, kind, and actually useful, especially when you’re working with external creatives or a small internal team.
1. Lead with Goals, Not Gut Feelings
“This doesn’t feel right” isn’t feedback. It’s a reaction. And while reactions are valid, they need context.
Start by re-grounding your creative partner in the goal:
- What’s the piece supposed to do? (Inform, convert, entertain?)
- Who’s it for?
- Where will it live?
Once you anchor in that, then share how it’s landing emotionally. But make the goal the compass, not your personal taste.
Better: “We’re targeting first-time players here, but this layout assumes a lot of familiarity. Can we simplify the flow?”
2. Be Specific About What’s Not Working
Vague feedback leads to wild guesses. And wild guesses = wasted time.
If something’s off, point to what and why. Is it the hierarchy? The tone? The color choices? Are you confused? Bored? Distracted?
Think like a user and narrate your experience.
Better: “I got stuck on this section, because it took me a second to realize it was interactive. Can we make that clearer?”
3. Don’t Prescribe—Describe
It’s tempting to jump straight into solutions: “Can we make the button red?” “Try Helvetica instead.”
But the best feedback isn’t about fixing. It’s about flagging. Let the designer solve it with their tools.
Better: “The call to action blends in too much. Can we make it pop more?”
Trust the process. You hired creatives for a reason, so let them do their thing.
4. Use Examples (Even Bad Ones)
Sometimes words fail. Screenshots, links, or even “I hate this but here’s why” references can help clarify the vibe.
Don’t be afraid to show extremes. A “nope” with explanation is just as useful as a “yes.”
Better: “This is way too slick, but I like how the layout feels uncluttered. Can we aim for that clarity without the corporate gloss?”
5. Always End With Priorities
Most projects have a long list of feedback, and not all of it is equally urgent.
Help your creative team move faster by identifying what’s must-fix vs. nice-to-have. It shows respect for their time and keeps momentum up.
Better: “Fixing the mobile legibility is top priority. The color tweaks can wait.”
Creative feedback is a skill, and founders who master it ship faster.
You don’t have to micromanage. You don’t need to know Figma. You just need to be clear, human, and goal-focused.
The best projects we’ve worked on? They didn’t have unlimited budget. They had great collaboration.
Need a creative team that actually gets it? Talk to us.
