Designer Community Insights: 6 Powerful Takeaways in 2025

Visual design by Author. 3D characters courtesy of @Lummi.ai

Intro

Design isn’t just about what looks good — it’s about what works. That’s why I asked the design community to share their opinions. The result? Real-time designer community insights gathered through polls with over 2,000+ votes and over 30,000 impressions. The answers surprised me — and they just might shift how you think about your own creative process.

Why These Polls Matter

In a world overflowing with design tools, AI generators, and trend forecasts, it’s easy to forget what really makes a designer valuable. Is it software mastery? A sharp eye for color? Or the ability to communicate a brand’s essence?

To answer that, I turned to the design community. Over the span of a few weeks, I ran 6 focused polls across platforms like LinkedIn and Facebook. The questions explored overlooked skills, brand-building priorities, learning goals, and client challenges. Designers didn’t just vote — they commented, debated, and validated one another’s experiences.

The result? A unique perspective into what really matters to creatives in 2025 — beyond the tools and templates.

The 6 Key Takeaways from Real Designers

1. Designer Community Insights #1 – Communication is Key

“All of the above.” – Jon Bradie
“Not enough is taught in school about any of these.” – Jeff Eaton

When asked “What’s the most underrated skill every designer should develop?”, the responses painted a clear picture — soft skills dominate the conversation.

Communication with clients – 39%
Selling your ideas – 30%
Time management – 16%
Strategic thinking – 15%

Despite working in a visual field, designers clearly know that success depends on the non-visual stuff — explaining, presenting, managing, and thinking long-term.

View the original poll on LinkedIn

2. Designer Community Insight #2 – Branding Starts with Story

Forget logos or color palettes. 68% of designers said brand story is the very first thing they focus on when starting a branding project. Logos came in at 21%, followed by colors and typography.

This shows how strategy and storytelling are taking center stage. Design is no longer decoration — it’s a narrative system.

View the original poll on LinkedIn

3. Concept Comes First — Every Time

What do designers notice first when reviewing someone else’s work?

Concept / Idea – 66%
Layout & Grid – 24%
Typography – 8%
Color Harmony – 3%

Even in a pixel-perfect world, ideas still lead. It’s the why that makes everything else make sense. Comments like “Start with the why” and “Depends on purpose” highlight how designers judge based on intent, not just polish.

View the original poll on LinkedIn

4. Presentation Is as Important as the Work Itself

When asked how they present design concepts to clients:

PDF presentations – 63%
Live walkthroughs – 21%
Interactive prototypes – 12%
Moodboards – 5%

Many noted they use different formats depending on the client and stage. But the core message was clear — if your idea isn’t communicated well, it won’t land.

View the original poll on LinkedIn

5. Designers Want to Learn Motion, Strategy & AI

The question: If you had to learn something new this month, what would it be?
While final vote data varied across platforms, the top choices were:

Motion design
3D/AI tools
UX/UI principles
Branding strategy

This reflects a shift in industry needs — designers are looking for dynamic skills that move beyond static visuals.

View the original poll on LinkedIn

6. The Biggest Challenge? Clarity vs. Chaos

In one of the most balanced polls yet, we asked:
“What’s your biggest challenge during a design project?”

The options were:

Client feedback (33%)
Creative block (32%)
Tight deadlines (31%)
Tool limitations (3%)

With over 340 votes and 7,200+ impressions, the results tell a clear story — client feedback, creativity, and timelines are nearly equal struggles. It’s not just about inspiration or efficiency; it’s about managing expectations and navigating uncertainty.

One user summed it up perfectly:

“Those deadlines sneak up on you. Always one of the scariest questions you obviously have to ask… ‘So when do you need this by?’”

Design isn’t just execution — it’s negotiation, psychology, and sometimes survival.

View the original poll on LinkedIn

Bonus Insight

One thing I didn’t expect? The comments were just as insightful as the votes. Designers weren’t just picking options — they were explaining their reasoning, challenging perspectives, and reinforcing each other. This level of engagement shows how deeply personal and human-centered the design process really is.

Conclusion

These polls reminded me that great design is about more than mastery of tools. It’s about how we think, how we communicate, and how we connect ideas to people. Whether you’re struggling with client feedback, trying to sell your vision, or figuring out what to learn next — you’re not alone.

Designers around the world are facing the same challenges, and it’s conversations like these that help us grow stronger, together.

Which of these insights hit home for you? Share your thoughts on [LinkedIn] or DM me @FiveElements — and check out more community-driven posts at FiveElements.org.in