Describe the problem the design should solve
Explain who will read the piece, what they need to understand and what they should do next. Include how the piece will be distributed or displayed. Those details are more useful than asking for a design that simply looks “modern.”
Identify the finished product and dimensions. If the format is still open, make that part of the design discussion instead of treating it as a production detail to settle later.
A new layout, a revision to an existing design and a correction to a print file are different scopes. Supply the current files and explain exactly what needs to change.
Ask what the proposed work includes: layout, copy placement, image preparation, proof stages and final deliverables. Confirm how additional revisions or a change in direction will be handled.
Give the designer usable inputs
- Approved wording, contact details and any required terms.
- Current logo files and relevant brand references.
- Images you have permission to use.
- Examples that explain a specific preference, such as reading order or the amount of detail.
- The name of the person who will consolidate feedback and approve the result.
For restaurant materials, settle item names, descriptions and approved prices before the final layout. Explain which content changes often so the design can account for future updates.
Review the design as a finished piece
Read a draft at the intended size. Check the sequence of information and whether the next step is easy to find. For a folded item, use a mockup to review how the panels open.
Distinguish a preference from a correction when giving feedback. “The phone number is wrong” and “I would prefer a different heading style” require different decisions, and combining all comments helps avoid contradictory versions.
Agree on the handoff
Confirm the required print files and what other formats are included. If editable files or reuse rights matter, discuss them explicitly in the scope rather than assuming every working file will be supplied.
Keep the approved version and its specification together. Before reusing the design, check the content and confirm any changes in size, stock or production requirements. A useful design remains understandable as the information changes, without requiring a new visual treatment for every minor update.