“It looks great, but are you able to make it ‘pop’?”
Sounds familiar? If you’re a designer, you’ve probably heard this overused, cliche phrase crafted into an invitation or an ambiguous line of feedback.
The phrase seems to be a favourite of design clients since it is the easiest method to ask a designer to form something stand out. But sometimes it are often hard to decipher what the client actually means by this. during this article, four professional graphic designers share their thoughts on what a client means once they say "Make it pop", and what to try to to when you're at the mercy of this only too common request.
Design vs. Client Jargon
First, let's address the obvious: clients aren't good at speaking design. Clients are smart, hardworking people that have a deep understanding of their business and its brand identity. However, sometimes they lack the vocabulary to effectively describe the planning that they believe will suit their brand. Maybe they need a vision in their head and just do not know the way to say it. Or, perhaps the client doesn't have a clue what they need their design to seem like. Either way, it's ultimately the work of the designer to decipher their request and take actionable steps.
All design clients have one thing in common - in simplest terms, they're trying to find “good design”. But if you dig deeper into what they're really trying to find, they need their brand’s design to face out amongst the remainder, hence the jargon “make it pop”.
To a designer, this might mean an inventory of things. But the matter is that they often do not know which one. Does it mean bold colors? Exotic fonts? plenty of graphics? If you envision what all of these things tied into one design might appear as if, you'll cringe.
So...What Does "Make it Pop" Mean?
Many seasoned graphic designers have heard this phrase numerous times that they skills to require it and run with it. At a high level, they know that the planning client is trying to find an overall impactful design.
Tanita Pukis from amber ink shares her thoughts on breaking down the client jargon:“In my design career, I’ve come to know that when a client asks you to “make it pop”, in most cases they need to form sure that the given design element has enough visual weight to face out and draw the viewer's eye thereto. In my experience, clients who use the word “Pop!” aren't trying to find delicate, intricate design pieces (these clients would rather use the word “Fancy”). More often than not, the “Make it pop!” clients are trying to find something that's bold, strong, and attention-grabbing!”
Tropicals - Playful, Abstract, Raw
by amber ink in Graphics
Geometria: Abstract Shapes
by amber ink in Graphics
Impact – the main theme when clients say “can you create it pop”. But how about we go a touch more depth? Eddy Biel from Layerform Design Co. explains the various perspectives of the cliché phrase.
“From a manager's perspective, "make it pop" typically means something must be one among the subsequent things: brighter, bigger, and more graphics. Now from a designer's perspective, if you'll delicately discuss the difficulty together with your client or manager, I desire it means something slightly different. Maybe a call to action must be slightly more detailed/separated from the background so it stands out more, or even adding some subtle texture/patterns to varying elements will add that "pop" they're seeking!”
While the client may very well want you to reinforce the visual elements themselves, they could also respond well to seeing the finished product during a different format.
Ric from Studio Standard takes on a singular perspective on the way to make it pop: “Often, making the planning pop is a smaller amount about the particular work and more about how it’s presented. As designers, we'd create the foremost beautiful logo, but even the foremost beautiful logo sent as a black and white pdf via email can look a touch dry. It’s our job to assist the client envisage how the brand will look within the world, its multiple uses and applications.”
You can follow Ric’s advice by using the suggested applications below to present the finished product:
Mockups
Mockups give the client insight into how their branding will look within the world. It also can make design decisions more manageable. for instance, decisions on choosing finishes, colors, and textures are all much more straightforward when the client can see what they’re choosing.
Louvre – (4-Pack) Stationery Mockups
by October November in Templates
Photography
Photography may be a huge a part of a brand’s visual identity. within the past, it had been challenging to elevate a project using stock imagery. That’s changed now, and there are some fantastic creators out there producing great royalty-free content to form your projects pop.
Freya Stock Photo Bundle
by Moyo Studio in Photos
Brand Sheets
Brand sheets are an ideal thanks to encompass all of your visual elements, working together on one page. Brand sheets also are an excellent thanks to show your process, from mood-boards to final design. Clients love this because they often provide their mood images and as a result, feel much more connected to the planning process and therefore the resulting brand. the opposite great point about brand sheets is that they don’t just work for clients. Designers can use them to present final work, add reach stand out on social media.
Auburn 24 Brand Sheets
by Studio Standard in Templates
While the finished design won't stand out on paper, seeing it used across different applications might level up your finished product.
How to Beat the Obscurity
No matter what percentage times designers might hear this sort of request or feedback, there'll always be times when the client won't know what they're posing for. the great news is— simply asking the client the proper questions can combat any false interpretations.
Watercolor Gem Creator
by Lina Chervenkova in Graphics
Lina Chervenkova —who has heard these words frequently— explains “When you hear these three dreaded words, it is your job to place your detective hat on and to seek out out the hidden meaning behind them. Get creative, have another video chat, ask questions, send a questionnaire, and just get in your client's head by any means necessary”
Lina provides a couple of questions you'll ask your client to steer you out of the "make it pop" trenches:
What does one feel once you see the present design?
What does one want to feel instead?
What elements does one want the planning to focus on? (font, graphics, space)
Can you show me any samples of designs that align with your vision?
How does one Make Your Designs "Pop"?
What's your go-to tactic to elevate a composition? Share your tips and tricks within the comments section below!
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