Designers are responsible for creating visually appealing and functional products, but the process doesn't stop there. To get a design request approved, designers must also be able to articulate their decisions to stakeholders in a way that makes sense and convinces them to invest in the project. This can be a difficult task, but with the right approach, designers can master the art of articulation and secure buy-in for their projects.

As a designer, I struggled with communicating my design decisions to stakeholders. I would spend hours working on a project, only to have it rejected because I couldn't effectively explain my thought process. I realized I needed to work on my communication skills, so I researched and learned about best practices, key concepts, and industry trends. With this new knowledge, I could articulate my designs in a way that made sense to stakeholders and secure buy-in for my projects. If you're looking for a great resource to understand how to communicate more effectively as a designer, I highly recommend reading "Tom Greever's" work on "Articulating design decisions". As a designer, we are communicators through designing experiences that solved problems and improve people's lives. We design experiences to communicate and solve problems so the more effectively you can communicate, the more impactful and successful you can be as a designer.

Articulating design decisions to stakeholders is a critical skill for any designer, but it's not always easy. The key to success is to understand the stakeholders' perspective and tailor your message to their needs. It's also important to have a clear understanding of the project's goals and objectives, and to be able to explain how your design decisions support those goals.

Another important consideration is to use industry-specific language, which can help establish credibility and increase the chances of getting buy-in. This could include using terms like “user-centered design”, “responsive design”, “branding” or “user interface”.

It's also essential to have a solid portfolio that showcases your work and demonstrates your abilities. This can be used to support your argument and provide evidence of your design decisions.

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Step 1: Clearly define the problem and solution

Before presenting your design to stakeholders, make sure that you have a clear understanding of the problem you are solving and the solution you are proposing. This will make it easier for you to communicate the reasoning behind your design decisions and why it is the best solution for the problem at hand.

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Step 2: Communicate the value proposition

When articulating your design to stakeholders, it's important to communicate the value proposition of your design. This means highlighting the benefits and key features of your design and how it addresses the specific needs and goals of the stakeholders.

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Step 3: Use storytelling

Design is a visual language, but storytelling can help you to explain your design more effectively. By using storytelling, you can convey the user experience and the problem-solving process in a relatable and engaging way.

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Step 4: Use visuals

Visuals can be a powerful tool for communicating design ideas. Use sketches, wireframes, mockups, or prototypes to help stakeholders understand your design.

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Step 5: Show the user journey

Show the stakeholders how the user will interact with your design, in order to help them understand the user journey. Highlighting the user journey will help them to understand the problem and how your design addresses it.

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Step 6: Encourage feedback and collaboration

Finally, it's important to encourage feedback and collaboration from stakeholders. By inviting feedback and suggestions for improvement, you can gather valuable insights that will help you to improve your design.

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Step 7: Practice, practice,practice

Effective communication is a skill that takes time to develop. The more you practice, the better you'll get. So, when you're in a meeting, try to speak clearly, use confident body language, and make sure to pause and listen

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By following these steps and continuing to practice and improve, you'll be well on your way to articulating your design decisions with confidence and getting buy-in from stakeholders.

In conclusion, as a designer, it's essential to be able to articulate design decisions to stakeholders in order to get buy-in on a design request. By understanding the problem, researching industry trends, and using visual aids, you can effectively communicate your ideas and increase the chances of getting the green light on your designs. Remember to practice, be open to feedback, and never stop learning and growing as a designer. Thank you for reading this article, I hope it has provided valuable insights and tips for you to improve your skills as a designer. If you have any questions or feedback, please don't hesitate to reach out to me on social media. Thank you for your support and happy designing!

• Articulating design by Tom Greever
• The Art of Explanation by Lee LeFever
• Don't Make Me Think by Steve Krug
• Seductive Interaction Design by Stephen Anderson