Dissecting a Project: The Parts of a Project I Love (and the Ones I Could Do Without)
Every project has a rhythm. Lately, I've been paying closer attention to which parts of the design process light me up versus which ones drain my creative tank.
Here's what I've noticed: the projects that feel most fulfilling aren't necessarily the ones where I have total creative freedom. Sometimes the best projects are the ones with friction—where a client pushes back, asks questions, or challenges my initial direction. That tension can lead to something truly special.
But there's a catch-22 I've experienced more than once.
The Trust vs. Challenge Balance
I have this one client who trusts me completely, loves everything I present, and gives me full creative control. It feels amazing to have that level of confidence in my work. But if I'm being honest? That project isn't pushing me to design something groundbreaking. When there's no resistance, I sometimes play it safe.
On the flip side, I've had clients who question every choice, want to understand the "why" behind each design decision, and bring their own strong opinions to the table. Those projects? They're harder. They take longer. But they often result in work I'm most proud of because I had to defend my choices, refine my thinking, and ultimately create something stronger.
The sweet spot is somewhere in the middle—a client who trusts my expertise but isn't afraid to engage in the process.
The Communication Factor
One thing that can make or break a project isn't even about design—it's communication. When a client is responsive, organized, and clear about their needs, the entire project flows. When communication lags or becomes unclear, even the most exciting project can start to feel like pulling teeth.
I've learned to pay attention to communication patterns early. If someone is on top of emails, provides thoughtful feedback, and respects timelines during the discovery phase, that's a green flag. It doesn't mean the project will be easy, but it means we'll be able to navigate challenges together.
The Mood Board Magic
But here's where the joy comes in: the mood board process. This is my flow state. This is where I get to pull together colors, textures, typography samples, and imagery that somehow just... click. It's the moment when everything I learned during discovery interviews, every note from their Pinterest board, every value they mentioned—it all synthesizes into something visual.
The mood board phase is pure creative alchemy. It's the bridge between strategy and execution, and it's where I feel most alive in my work.
Full Circle Moments
The other part I absolutely love? Once the brand foundation is established, I get to design pieces using the elements I created. Business cards, social graphics, building and designing websites—these feel like full-circle moments. I'm watching the brand come to life in different contexts, and it validates all the strategic work that came before.
It's like planting a garden and finally seeing the blooms.
What This Means for How I Take on Projects
Reflecting on what I love versus what drains me has been instructive. I'm not going to stop taking projects just because a client gives me total freedom—that's still a gift. But I'm also not going to shy away from the challenging clients who make me work harder.
Both types of projects have value. Both teach me something different.
The real key is staying curious about my own process, noticing when I feel engaged versus when I'm just going through the motions, and using those insights to keep improving how I work.
What about you? If you're in a creative field, which parts of your projects light you up? And which parts would you happily skip if you could?
