The client conversation playbook

Good client conversations make uncertainty visible early. Use these prompts to turn a vague request into a shared understanding before you begin designing.

Start with the decision

Ask what the work should help someone do, who that person is, and what currently prevents the action. Request one concrete instance of the problem. Separate the project goal from a preferred visual treatment.

Make the brief discussable

Write a short recap covering the audience, deliverables, decision maker, constraints and next review date. Send it for confirmation before preparing concepts. A clear recap is more useful than a long document nobody reads.

Ask for usable feedback

When presenting work, explain the problem each choice addresses. Ask which part supports the agreed goal and which part creates confusion. Invite the client to describe the concern before proposing a solution.

Close with ownership

End the conversation with the next action, its owner and its date. Record any unresolved decision in the same place as the brief. These prompts are general project guidance, not a contract.