Remember that random streak of gray hair you've had since you were a kid that everyone made fun of? Well, now it's probably a cool feature that nabs you lots of compliments. This weird example is just to say that we should always celebrate things that make us different.
But sometimes differences clash — at least in terms of design and style.
There are three designers working in our studio and we all have different vibes. But we have a pretty good way of working it out, which ultimately leads to better designs — designs we likely wouldn't have thought about or landed on if we had just done the project individually.
So what's in our secret sauce to making this work without hating each other? Glad you asked. There are a few things...
1. Understanding Our Strengths
We've worked with each other for a little while now, so we've had time to understand each designer's strengths and preferences. It's like knowing who's the best chef for Italian cuisine and who's the wizard with Thai flavors in a kitchen. We've been very transparent about what we like and—equally as important—what we're good at. So when a client reaches out, we generally know who is best suited for that particular task.
2. The 10-Point Rating System
You might be thinking, "boy that last point was super obvious." Fair. But SEO, babyyyyy. So thanks for continuing to read because here's our actual favorite secret for harmonious design collaboration: The 10-Point Rating System
Let's break it down with an example:
Let's say Jake wants to keep a client's brand super minimal. We're talking black and white colors, simple typography, etc. But Janus thinks the branding should be super bright and airy, feeling like spring because the brand is for an eco-friendly toilet paper company. She wants to use poop puns and everything...the works! Instead of diving into a game of Mid-Western Passive Aggression, they simply ask each other, "On a scale of 1-10, how strongly do you feel about this?" They each give their rating, and the higher number wins.
Here's some fun relationship therapy/advice:
Try this out with your spouse/partner/lover/one-nighter. It solves so many dumb fights before they ever happen. Let's say you move in together and you want to get a new bed frame. But Taylor really wants to keep their bed frame because it's beautifully designed, comfortable, and...well, they paid a lot of money for it. So instead of fighting, you do the 10-Point Rating System. Taylor says 9 and you're a 6 (not your looks, sweetie. You're a 10. Your rating was a 6). So Taylor's bed frame stays. Taylor's happy. You didn't care that much so you're happy too.
But what if you both say 10? GASP! Here's what you do: you grow up. Nothing is a 10, so maybe do a meditation and calm down?
Whoops, this is supposed to be about design. Moving on.
3. Communication
Lastly but not...leastly? All of this boils down to communication. There's no actual secret sauce. We just talk openly about what matters most to us and to the brand we're working on. It's not about imposing a particular style or taste; it's about finding the best solution together.
So, whether you're working on a design project or trying to decide on a new sofa, remember the 10-Point Rating System. It's a little tool that brings harmony and understanding, in design and in life.
