your work won’t speak for itself

your work won’t speak for itself

READ Time - 6 minutes

The biggest lie in design is killing your best ideas. 

I see it every day. 

Talented designers crafting incredible work, but then sit back, silently hoping their designs will "speak for themselves." They obsess over the tiniest details, perfect every curve, and polish each pixel to perfection.

But here’s the truth: Your work won’t speak for itself until you give it a voice.

When you see your design, your brain fills in all the context - every decision, every iteration, every solved problem. But when clients see your work, they're seeing it cold. No context. No story. No meaning.

This gap - between how we see our work and how others perceive it - is where most designers lose their audience. 

The more obvious a design choice seems to you, the less obvious it becomes to explain to others. Even the most talented designers struggle to communicate when they assume others should just “get it”.

Here's the problem: your designs don't speak for themselves.

• Designers see hours of craft—clients see sketches

• You see design decisions—they see random choices

• You see the innovation—they see the risk

In today's newsletter, I'll show you the exact framework I use to transform from silent creator to design storyteller.

You'll learn:

• When letting work "speak for itself" can flop

• The Turning Point: When I found my voice.

• The 4 Steps to Get Clients to Trust Your Design Process

There's a reason why some designers consistently get their work approved while others face endless revisions.

By the end, you'll know how to be a designer who gets their work approved.

Why Letting Your Work "Speak for Itself" Flops

When I was at Timberland, junior designers didn’t pitch their own work at in line reviews. 

I believed in my designs. They were good.

But guess what? 50% of the designs I made that season got dropped. In fact, around 30-40% of designs in any company get dropped.

When someone else presents your work, they don't see the effort you put in. They’re focused on sales, features, and benefits.

Not the why behind the design decisions.

The Turning Point: When I Found My Voice

Timberland launched an internal design competition where designers could pitch their concepts directly to leadership.

I jumped in. 

I spent days researching and rehearsing. Analyzing market positioning, competition, and price points. 

I decided I was going to pitch the same design that had been dropped the season before, but this time, I was determined to leave no doubt about my expertise.

The day came.

I was the first to present in front of five judges, all higher-ups. With shaking palms, I gave my 10-minute pitch. My PowerPoint wasn’t just about what I designed; it was about why I made each decision.

• Why this compound? 

• Why this silhouette? 

• Why these laces?

Instead of talking about what I designed, I focused on why it mattered. 

The why wasn’t just aesthetic, it was purposeful.

The judges said nothing after my pitch. Complete silence. I walked out, unsure of what to expect.

The Unexpected Outcome: Building Trust Through Storytelling

Later that day, two directors found me in my cubicle. 

My heart sank.

Did they hate my design? Were they going to tear it apart?

Instead, they congratulated me. My presentation had blown the others out of the water. They were so impressed with my work that they invited me to collaborate with the marketing team to share my story through a campaign.

As a junior designer, that was huge.

That day, I realized something. 

Before, I thought my designs should speak for themselves. But by sharing the story behind my design decisions, I built trust with leadership and clients. 

Not only did I win the competition, but that was the day I found my voice and a new belief:

Sharing the Why behind my design builds trust.

The Best Designers are Storytellers.

When designers learn to share their process and the story behind their decisions, they gain trust from clients. And trust means bigger opportunities.

Fancy designs don’t set you apart. It’s the details and how you convey them through storytelling.

4 Steps to Get Clients to Trust Your Design Process

1. Understand Client Needs:
   Position designs based on trends, price points, and target audience. Align with the client’s goals and ensure you’re solving the right problem.

2. Create a Clear Product Brief:
   Define retail price, FOB, and aesthetics. Identify must-haves and show how your choices align with business goals.

3. Conduct Market Research & Develop Concepts:
   Use competitor analysis, mood boards, and research to create a solid foundation. Present 3 innovative concepts, each with a clear story that links to client goals.

4. Prepare a Comprehensive Tech Packet:
   Include detailed explanations, high-quality renderings, and production specs, ensuring clarity and client confidence in your design vision.

These steps ensure you have the depth of knowledge and confidence when giving your presentation. 

Your Turn: Next time you present:

• Don't Slack in the research. Be 100% confident in your work.

• Don't just present the final design - walk the client through the full process. 

• Explain the why behind your decisions, not just the what.

• Be prepared to advocate for your own work.

Let’s turn those silent designs into stories that get heard.

See you next time!
Erin

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PS: If you’re ready for more, here are other ways I can help:

• If you have any questions, reply to this email.

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