Your team is divided on design styles. How can you bridge the gap and create cohesive graphics?

1 Understand Styles

To create cohesive graphics, you must first understand the various design styles at play within your team. Each style has its own history, rules, and visual characteristics. For example, minimalist design emphasizes simplicity and negative space, while maximalist design is more about abundance and detail. By recognizing the strengths and limitations of each style, you can better appreciate your team members' perspectives and find ways to integrate elements from different styles into a unified design concept.

2 Set Objectives

Clear objectives are the backbone of any successful project, especially when reconciling different design styles. You need to establish what the graphics are meant to achieve. Are they for branding, user interface design, or perhaps educational purposes? By defining the purpose, audience, and message of the graphics, you can guide your team towards a common vision that transcends individual stylistic preferences.

3 Foster Dialogue

Communication is key in resolving any team disagreement. Encourage open dialogue about design styles, inviting each team member to share their insights and preferences. This can lead to a deeper understanding of the rationale behind each style and how they might complement each other. A respectful exchange of ideas often uncovers innovative ways to merge different aesthetics into a cohesive design that everyone can be proud of.

4 Create Guidelines

To harmonize disparate design styles, it's helpful to create a set of design guidelines that everyone can agree on. These guidelines should include color palettes, typography, and imagery that reflect a blend of the team's preferred styles. This shared reference point ensures consistency across all graphics, providing a common language for your team's creative expression.

5 Prototype Designs

Prototyping is an iterative process that allows your team to experiment with how different design styles can be combined. Create mock-ups that incorporate elements from each style and review them as a team. This hands-on approach not only helps in visualizing the potential of a unified style but also encourages collaboration and compromise as different iterations are refined.

6 Evaluate and Adapt

Finally, evaluate the effectiveness of the merged design styles by gathering feedback from both your team and the intended audience. Are the graphics coherent? Do they communicate the intended message? Use this feedback to make necessary adjustments. Remember, creating cohesive graphics is an evolving process that may require you to adapt and refine your approach continuously.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?