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Feedback Guide

6 min read

Feedback is the bridge between vision and execution. Clear, constructive feedback saves time, reduces revision cycles, and results in work you're genuinely excited about. This guide shares the principles and techniques that lead to productive creative collaboration.

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01

The Feedback Mindset

Approach feedback as a collaborative conversation, not a critique session. Remember: you and your design team share the same goal—creating exceptional work that achieves your objectives.

Start With Objectives

Before reviewing any design, remind yourself of the goals. What problem is this solving? Who is the audience? What action should they take? Anchoring feedback to objectives keeps discussions productive and prevents subjective tangents.

Separate Reaction From Response

Your initial reaction to a design is instinctive. Your response should be thoughtful. Take time to understand the design rationale before forming opinions. Ask "why was this choice made?" before suggesting changes.

02

Being Specific

Vague feedback leads to guesswork and misaligned revisions. The more specific your feedback, the more accurate the response.

Describe, Don't Prescribe

Focus on the problem you're experiencing, not the solution you imagine. Designers are trained to solve problems—give them the problem clearly.

INEFFECTIVE

"Make the logo bigger."

EFFECTIVE

"The logo feels like it's getting lost on this page. I want it to have more presence."

Point to Specifics

Reference exact elements when providing feedback. Use screen annotations, line numbers, or timestamps for video.

INEFFECTIVE

"I don't like the colours."

EFFECTIVE

"The orange in the header feels too aggressive for our wellness brand. Could we explore something calmer?"

03

Balancing Feedback

Effective feedback acknowledges what's working as well as what needs attention. This builds trust and helps designers understand your preferences.

Lead With What Works

Start by identifying elements you respond positively to. This isn't about being nice—it's strategic. Understanding what resonates helps designers double down on successful directions and avoid removing elements you value.

Prioritise Your Concerns

Not all feedback carries equal weight. Distinguish between:

  • Must address — Fundamental issues that block progress
  • Should consider — Important improvements worth exploring
  • Nice to have — Polish items if time permits
04

Quick Reference

01

Be Timely

Provide feedback promptly. Delayed feedback slows projects and leads to costly late-stage changes.

02

Consolidate Voices

Gather all stakeholder feedback before responding. Conflicting feedback from multiple rounds causes confusion.

03

Trust the Process

Early concepts are meant to evolve. Don't expect perfection in first rounds—expect direction.

04

Reference Examples

When possible, share examples of what you mean. "Something like this..." is worth a thousand words.

05

Common Pitfalls

Awareness of common feedback mistakes helps you avoid them.

Design by Committee

When everyone weighs in equally, designs become diluted compromises. Designate a single decision-maker who consolidates input and has final say.

Chasing Trends

"I saw something cool on Instagram..." Trends are fleeting; good design is timeless. Focus on what serves your brand and audience, not what's momentarily popular.

Solving the Wrong Problem

Before requesting changes, verify the issue. Sometimes what feels like a design problem is actually a copy problem, or a strategy problem, or no problem at all—just unfamiliarity.

Moving Goalposts

Changing requirements mid-project creates frustration and delays. Be thorough in initial briefing and avoid introducing new objectives during review phases.

06

Using Our Studio Console

Our Studio Console is designed to make collaboration seamless. Here are the key features available to you:

Direct Messaging

Send messages directly to your project team. Ask questions, share thoughts, or request updates—all in one place with a complete conversation history.

Meeting Scheduler

Book meetings directly in our calendar. Choose from available time slots that work for you—no more back-and-forth emails to find a time.

Pinpoint Feedback

Click anywhere on a presentation to drop a pin and add your comment. Your feedback is tied to exact coordinates, so there's no ambiguity about which element you're referring to.

File Uploads

Send large files directly through the Studio Console. Share reference materials, brand assets, or any documents your team needs—no file size limits or email attachment hassles.

AI Feedback Assistant

Not sure how to articulate your feedback? Our AI assistant helps you express your thoughts clearly and constructively. Describe what you're feeling, and it'll help you phrase it in a way designers can action.

07

The Review Process

Here's how feedback works in the Cene Studio process:

01
Review Period

You'll receive designs via our Studio Console with a clear review deadline. Take time to gather all stakeholder input within this window.

02
Consolidated Feedback

Submit all feedback together through the Studio Console. Use pinpoint comments, direct messages, or video recordings—whatever works best for you.

03
Unlimited Revisions

We include unlimited revisions in our packages. Don't hold back valid feedback—we're committed to getting it right.

04
Clarification Calls

For complex feedback, book a quick call through the Studio Console. Sometimes 10 minutes of conversation saves hours of back-and-forth.

Great feedback is a skill that improves with practice. The more clearly you communicate, the better the results—and the more enjoyable the creative process becomes. Questions about providing feedback on your project? Email hello@cene.studio.

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