It’s important to choose the most suitable method of communication for a specific situation and person.
Sometimes it's quicker to have a call and resolve the issue by voice — this is usually helpful when the parties have different understandings of the problem.
Other times, it's necessary to clearly and concisely describe the full context related to the issue in text. This helps the other person to sync up.
Communication is one of the core skills of a designer, because a designer needs to interact with project stakeholders, convey their vision, help others formulate their thoughts, and keep everyone in sync.
Since we can't transmit thoughts directly (yet), we are left with:
Text
Text forces the writer to express their thoughts linearly and coherently. It allows opinions to be preserved for the future and makes it easy to refresh your memory later — these factors make it the primary method of communication.
And since it’s the primary method, it makes sense to develop touch typing skills. This improves work speed, allows you to note important ideas during conversations, and ultimately enhances communication.
Voice
Speaking allows for freer expression, not limited by the linear structure of text. It makes it possible to hear the full "chaos" of a person's stream of consciousness.
Sometimes voice discussions allow for faster idea exchange and agreement. Voice messages, in particular, reveal the chaos of thought — although they are costly and tiring to re-listen to when trying to recall something. Voice communication is especially useful during the information-gathering stage: the designer quickly receives a "chaotic" stream for analysis, while the client doesn't have to expend effort on writing and can share thoughts on the go.
Image
The result of a designer's work is usually not text, but a visually represented object (a layout, typeface, label, logo, physical object, etc.). Also, sketches and references help capture and synchronize the current understanding of the outcome.
It's better to see one image showing a work-in-progress than to read a thousand words describing it.
Here's a simple example — a ~1000-word detailed description of a painting:
The painting depicts a vast rural landscape where, at first glance, ordinary scenes of life dominate, nearly obscuring the tragic mythological narrative of Icarus’s fall. The viewer's attention is drawn to a farmer peacefully plowing the land with a horse and plow. His figure takes up significant space in the foreground, emphasizing the everyday nature of his work and his deep focus on earthly concerns. A bit farther, a shepherd with a small flock of sheep can be seen, looking up as if noticing something in the sky, but his attention quickly returns to his routine. On the rocky shore near the right edge, a fisherman stands at the water's edge, busy catching fish. Like the others, he is absorbed in his task and unaware of the surrounding events. The main action takes place in the background, almost lost among the ordinary scenes. Icarus, blinded by pride, flew too close to the sun, which melted his wax wings. Yet instead of being the centerpiece, his fall is depicted subtly: only a tiny pair of legs are visible in the lower right corner, sticking out of the sea as he sinks. This moment of tragedy goes unnoticed by everyone else. The sea, painted in soft blue and green hues, appears calm, with light ripples on the surface — contrasting with the drama of the myth. On the horizon are city walls and ship masts, adding to the sense of a vast world moving to its own rhythm, undisturbed by fateful events. The sky, slightly overcast, reflects the calmness of nature, which, like the people, remains oblivious to the catastrophe. The painting is done in muted, calm colors, reinforcing the sense of normalcy and peace — a world in which even the most tragic events go unnoticed. This work by Bruegel carries a philosophical message, prompting the viewer to reflect on human indifference and self-centeredness: the mythological Icarus, whose fate is known to all, drowns in the sea, but no one around him — all busy with their own concerns — pays any attention.
So what's the takeaway for design process?
In design, sooner or later, you have to move from words to action.
Tools to develop communication skills:
- Read poetry and prose; notice interesting stylistic choices.
- Keep a personal journal; practice organizing and capturing your thought process.
- Practice finding increasingly precise words and formulations. Learn to "draw" with words.
- Practice text editing.
- Develop your voice.
- Engage in conversations.
P.S. Of course, there's at least one more another way to communicate — sensations & emotions.