Design Feedback Techniques That Reduce Miscommunication

What users say isn't always what they think. This gap can mess up your design decisions. Here's why it happens: → Social desirability bias. → Fear of judgment. → Cognitive dissonance. → Lack of self-awareness. → Simple politeness. These factors lead to misinterpretation of user needs. Designers might miss critical usability issues. Products could fail to meet user expectations. Accurate feedback becomes hard to get. Biased data affects design choices. To overcome this, try these strategies: 1. Create a comfortable environment: Make users feel at ease. Comfort encourages honesty. 2. Encourage thinking aloud: Ask users to verbalize thoughts. This reveals their true feelings. 3. Use indirect questions: Avoid direct queries. Indirect questions uncover hidden truths. 4. Observe non-verbal cues: Watch body language. It often tells more than words. 5. Triangulate data: Use multiple data sources. This ensures a complete picture. 6. Foster honest feedback: Build trust with users. Trust leads to genuine responses. 7. Analyze discrepancies: Compare what users say and do. Identify and understand the gaps. 8. Iterate based on findings: Refine your design. Continuous improvement is key. 9. Stay aware of biases: Recognize potential biases. Work to minimize their impact. 10. Keep testing: Regular testing ensures alignment. Stay connected with user needs. By following these steps, designers can bridge the gap between user thoughts and statements. This leads to better products and happier users.

I used to suck at design presentations. Not because my work was bad but because no one understood it. Once, I showed a client two screens I thought were extremely different. He stared for 15 seconds and said: "Aren’t those the same screens?" I felt like such a dumba** 😂 This embarrassing moment is when I realized I was speaking "designer" to people who don’t think in wireframes or user flows. So I threw out my old presentation style and started over. Now my clients don't just understand my designs, they genuinely get excited about them. Here’s what changed things for me: 1) Making mini slideshows for every presentation Break new features/ changes into simple, step-by-step explanations. This makes it 10x easier for your clients can follow your thought process. 2) Prototyping features > static screens Let them see how it actually works, not just explain what these screens "will do". 3) Make small decisions yourself No one cares about the button roundness, save meeting time for the big decisions. 4) Frame decisions through competition Stakeholders understand competition better than design, use that to get them invested in design decisions. 5) Lead with cost vs. benefit This will always be their #1 concern, frame all suggestions around this and you will get better feedback. Yes, all of these things require more time for meeting prep, but the results have been worth it: → Clearer feedback → Fewer revision cycles → Happier clients who trust my decisions Other designers: what has helped you get better feedback from clients/ stakeholders?

Ever had a stakeholder say "Make it pop!" and felt your soul leave your body? ☠️ Let's be honest - as UX designers, we're drowning in feedback. Some helpful, some... well, let's just say "interesting." Here's what most UXers get wrong about handling feedback: Please STOP: • Accepting every piece of feedback without questioning the "why" • Getting defensive when receiving critical feedback • Implementing changes just to please stakeholders • Letting feedback derail your core design principles Do this instead: • Document ALL feedback systematically • Ask probing questions to understand user/stakeholder pain points • Validate feedback against user research data • Present alternative solutions backed by UX principles But here's the real game-changer... The hard truth about feedback in UX: You're expected to: • Process feedback from 12 different stakeholders • Implement changes immediately • Make everyone happy • Never push back But it's actually really simple: 1. Collect feedback in structured design critiques 2. Prioritize based on user impact 3. Test solutions before implementing 4. Present results, not just changes Remember: - Good UX designers listen to feedback. - Great UX designers transform feedback into solutions. --- PS: Next time someone says "make it pop," ask them to define "pop" in terms of user goals. 😊 Follow me, John Balboa. I swear I'm friendly and I won't detach your components.