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Honest behind-the-scenes: how we handle it when a client HATES the first design.
It happens. Maybe 1 in 10 projects, the first round misses.
The client looks at it and you can tell - it's not landing.
What I've learned NOT to do: defend it. Explain the rationale. Point to the brief.
What works: shut up. Listen. Ask three questions.
"What specifically feels off?"
"Can you show me something that feels closer to right?"
"Is it the direction that's wrong, or the execution?"
Usually it's a mismatch in tone, not in structure. They wanted warm, we went sharp. They wanted premium, we went friendly.
The fix is almost always recalibrating the visual temperature - colours, typography, imagery - on the structure that was already right.
We've saved every "missed" first round this way. And the client ends up more invested in the final result because they shaped it through honest feedback.
So real
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Same app concept. Two completely different visual directions.
I’m exploring the design system for Pawsense, a cat care app concept focused on recording your cat’s behavior and turning it into simple insights.
Direction 1 feels softer, calmer, and more trustworthy.
Direction 2 feels bolder, more playful, and more distinctive.
That’s the tradeoff I’m thinking through:
Direction 1 feels more polished and familiar.
Direction 2 feels more memorable and full of personality.
For a cat care app, I’m trying to balance trust with warmth and playfulness.
Which direction feels stronger?
1 = soft/trustworthy
2 = bold/playful
12 voted
55%
10 voted
45%
22 votes
Closed
Impressive
We often assume that a high-quality product is all it takes to keep users.
But sometimes, people sign up and leave after just a few minutes. It is usually not because the product is bad, but because the first steps are confusing.
The biggest wins for our clients come from focusing on the essentials. Helping people get to the point of the product right at the start makes all the difference.
A great tool is only useful if people can actually figure it out.
How do you approach those first few minutes with new users? I would love to hear what changes you have made that helped people get started faster🏃🏼.
Spot on! If users get lost in the first 5 minutes, the product's quality doesn't even matter. Reducing onboarding friction is always a massive win. Great insights! 🙌
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