How to Choose a Final Design

Getting design options back can feel exciting and overwhelming. When you’re looking at multiple strong directions, it can be hard to know if you’re making the “right” choice. Asking the right questions can help you make a more confident, informed decision.

Here are five questions to ask yourself before choosing a final design for any visual work.

Does this design clearly communicate my message?

Start with clarity. Does the design say what you want it to say to the people you’re trying to reach?

Think about:

  • Tone and personality

  • Symbols, colors, and type choices

  • Whether anything could be confusing or misinterpreted

If someone unfamiliar with your business saw this for the first time, would they understand?

Will this design work where I actually need to use it?

A design can look great in a presentation and fall apart in real life.

Consider:

  • Where it will live (website, packaging, social, print, signage)

  • Scale (very small, very large)

  • Color limitations (one color, black and white, dark backgrounds)

A strong design should be flexible enough to show up consistently across all of its intended uses.

Is the design easy to navigate and understand?

Good design guides the eye. You shouldn’t have to work to figure out what’s important.

Ask yourself:

  • Do your eyes move naturally through the design?

  • Are the key elements obvious at a glance?

If you find yourself getting “stuck” or distracted by one area, that’s worth noting.

Will this design hold up over time?

This one’s more subjective, but still important. There’s nothing wrong with following a trend, but it helps to try to imagine this design a few years down the line. Will it still feel aligned with your brand? Will you still feel happy using it? Longevity doesn’t mean boring, it just means intentional.

Does this feel right for my brand?

Trust your gut, with context. Determine if the overall design aligns with your brand. Does it reflect your values, your audience, your message, and the direction you want to grow in? Does it feel like something you are confident to stand behind?