the art of giving feedback: a guide for clients
good ideas compound into brilliant ones.
when you work with WILDEN, collaboration is vital to creating a remarkable garden. we love hearing thoughtful input, and we want to ensure that when you take the time to send us feedback, it’s effective and improves the project.
…because 1+1=3
let's be honest though, providing feedback is not always easy, so here are some handy tips to help you master the art of providing informative and actionable input to make the project even more successful.
timing is everything: to ensure your feedback’s incorporated, it's best to provide the necessary information early in the process. share your ideas and preferences before each design phase. if you have feedback during the review process, provide this within one week of receiving the design proposals. this way, we can ensure a smooth workflow and avoid delays.
be specific and actionable: instead of simply stating that you do (or don't) like something, provide specific details about how you’d like to see something changed. this helps us better understand your preferences and ensures we can take meaningful action. so even if we see things differently, we’ll learn more about what feels good to you and that’ll help us to find better solutions for you.
avoid rhetorical questions: feedback is most effective when it is clear and straightforward. focus on providing direct and actionable thoughts:
don’t say: “do you think the BBQ would be better over here?”.
do say: “I think the BBQ is better here because of X. can you assess if this solution’s better so we can agree the final location.”
make your mind up: it can be challenging to choose from different ideas and options, but making prompt decisions helps us move forward efficiently and create a design that truly reflects your vision.
still unsure?: that’s okay. just tell us what you feel and why. be open and honest about what is resonating, and what isn’t. we’ll use our landscape spidey-senses to figure out your preferences and make the right changes.
be prepared for some debate!: you’ve hired WILDEN as the garden design experts and we bring a wealth of knowledge, experience, and professional taste. sometimes, we may respectfully challenge your feedback or suggest alternatives. furthermore, we take seriously our role of inspiring you to spend more time in nature, and that often means being bold with design ideas to make the garden feel special and somewhere you’re proud of.
so, expect the occasional pushback, as we work together to find the best solutions for your garden.
a digital whiteboard allows you to easily add comments onto your designs.
choose the right communication channel: we want to maintain a clear understanding of all your feedback along the way. for this reason, the best channel for sharing design feedback is directly onto your digital whiteboard. this is a super convenient and organised way to collaborate on the design. if you prefer email, that’s fine too.
however, please no WhatsApp or phone calls because these aren’t integrated into project management and may be missed.
open communication is the secret to exceptional projects.
let's collaborate, communicate, and create something extraordinary. your garden deserves nothing less.