Illustration Design Tips

## Unlock Seamless Client-Designer Collaboration! 🔥 Granting your clients access to Figma can revolutionize your design workflow by fostering collaboration and transparency. Clients can interact with the design in real-time, providing immediate feedback and enabling quick adjustments. 🛠️ This accelerates the iteration process and ensures the final product aligns perfectly with the client's vision. 🎨 ### Benefits: **Real-Time Feedback:** Clients can instantly share their thoughts, speeding up the iteration process. 💬 **Enhanced Transparency:** Clients can monitor progress and understand the rationale behind design decisions. 👀 **Improved Communication:** Direct comments on the design minimize misunderstandings and streamline discussions. 📣 ### Challenges: **Potential Over-Involvement:** Clients might make their own changes, potentially disrupting the design process. 🚫 **Learning Curve:** Some clients may need time to get accustomed to Figma, possibly slowing the initial phase. ⏳ **Boundary Setting:** Establishing clear guidelines is essential to prevent unintentional alterations that could lead to confusion. 🛑 Overall, providing clients access to Figma can be a game-changer. However, setting clear boundaries and conducting regular check-ins are crucial for a smooth and productive design journey. ✅ #ui

You know what is one slightly underrated skill in L&D? - Storyboarding. (Yes, the thing that saves future-you from chaos.) 🤔 What is it? Storyboarding is the blueprint of a learning experience. Before you build a single slide, animation, or interaction, you map out what the learner will see, do, and feel — step by step. It’s clarity. It’s alignment. It’s fewer “Oh… that’s not what I meant” moments with SMEs. 🙃 💡 Why it matters: Jumping into development without a storyboard is like building a house without a plan. Sure, you can do it — but... should you? Storyboarding helps you: 🔹 Align stakeholders before any work begins 🔹 Spot logic gaps early 🔹 Maintain flow and engagement 🔹 Save hours (and budget) during development 👉 A quick example: Designing customer service training? Your storyboard might look like: • Slide 1: Welcome + objectives • Slide 2: Scenario intro • Slide 3: Customer call video • Slide 4: Reflection question • Slide 5: Knowledge check Boom — your experience is mapped, your SME is happy, and everyone has clarity. 🙌 How to practice: Pick a short topic and outline: • Title • Key message • Visual idea • Learner action Focus on the flow — how each moment leads naturally into the next. 🧰 Helpful tools: - Canva – clean visual storyboards - Miro – collaborative mapping - Google Slides/PPT – classic structure outlining - Notion – brilliant for organising scenes + scripts If you want to dive deeper into crafting engaging learning narratives, check out our Storytelling for Engaging Training resource → https://lnkd.in/dYhq2VNg #TheLnDAcademy #Storyboarding #Storytelling #LearningAndDevelopment

One bad conversation can stall a deal.  (Let's fix that.) Here's the trap even the best can fall into: ✅ You said, “Can I get 15 minutes?” ❌ They heard, “You’re just a name on my calendar.” ✅ You said, “Here’s our pricing page.” ❌ They heard, “You’d better be ready to commit.” ✅ You said, “Do you have any questions?” ❌ They heard, “I’m done talking, it's your turn to buy.” In client development, tone is strategy. And the difference between pressure and partnership? Just a few words. Because the real challenge isn’t getting time  with a client. It’s making that time count. Here are 12 proven phrases to build trust  (without sounding like a sales rep): 1. “How have things been going with [X]?” → Feels personal, not transactional. 2. “What’s your thinking around [this topic] these days?” → Opens a door, not a pitch. 3. “What would success look like if everything went right?” → Focuses on their goals, not gaps. 4. “What’s one thing you’d love to improve in 90 days?” → Specific, hopeful, and actionable. 5. “What feels risky or fuzzy about this?” → Makes doubt safe to share. 6. “Want to sketch some options together?” → Co-creates instead of prescribes. 7. “Want me to mock up a few paths forward?” → Shows flexibility, not a fixed pitch. 8. “Want to hear how others tackled this?” → Adds value, zero pressure. 9. “What would need to shift to make this a priority?” → Respects their timeline, invites partnership. 10. “Would a custom version be more helpful?” → Tailors the next step to them. 11. “Great point, can we unpack that together?” → Builds trust through collaboration. 12. “What’s the best way I can support you right now?” → Puts their needs first, signals partnership. These phrases do more than sound better. They feel better. Because they reflect how great BD actually works: 👉 With empathy 👉 With curiosity 👉 With clients, not at them Try one this week. It could turn a stalled deal into a deep conversation. Which one will you lead with? 📌Follow Mo Bunnell for client-growth strategies  that don’t feel like selling.

I lead a 9-person creative team. Here’s the process we’ve used for years to turn loose ideas into some of our best work. Many great thinkers had their inspiration rituals. Einstein played the violin. Da Vinci filled notebooks with scribbles and sketches. Ben Franklin took “air baths” (don’t look that up). Ours isn’t quite as weird. But it 𝘩𝘢𝘴 sparked breakthroughs, especially when the brief is vague or open-ended. So for the first installment of 𝘗𝘶𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘉𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘊𝘶𝘳𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯, here’s how we approach ideation for a new data story. 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝟭: 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗕𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 We kick things off with a team brainstorm, which is usually remote, often messy, but always productive. We’ll start assembling our thoughts in Figma, guided by 5 prompts: 🎯 What’s the goal of this project? ⚙️ What functionality is a *must-have*? 📊 What data do we have? 👥 Who’s the audience, and what do they want to learn? 🗣️ Is there a core message or CTA? 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝟮: 𝗠𝗼𝗼𝗱𝗯𝗼𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀 Once we have a direction, we start pulling visual inspiration. We’ll scour media outlets, design platforms, blogs and of course, our 𝘋𝘢𝘵𝘢 & 𝘌𝘨𝘨𝘴 newsletter. 🥚 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝟯: 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗮 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 Now it’s time to dig into the data and look for trends, outliers, and storylines to highlight. We’ll put together a short doc or deck with the insights we’ve found. 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝟰: 𝗡𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗢𝘂𝘁𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 We draft a loose outline to align on the story structure. It includes a written description of all the charts and features we’re imagining, which helps guide the design process. Ideation is one of the most energizing parts of our work. And this process helps keep us grounded and creative. How do 𝘺𝘰𝘶 approach ideation? Any rituals, tools, or prompts that help you think better?

Waterfront Living → Luma AI + ComfyUI + Midjourney → Cinematic Vision https://lnkd.in/gPsFy5th Generated urban living isn’t just a visual trick, it’s design thinking in motion. These workflows are more than representations; they act as inputs into the very form, logic, and design of urban form. What you see here is not simply a before-and-after—it’s a trace of how concept development drives outcomes. The white model presents a rigorous study of massing, porosity, and view corridors. A crafted response to density, light, and waterfront access. The final scene captures what this input was always working toward: a vibrant district grounded in layered residential volumes, active edges, and public realm connectivity—architecture that enables life at the water’s edge. This is how desired futures are shaped. Workflow: 1. Concept Development (ComfyUI + Midjourney ) 2. Material Logic + Contextual Lighting (ComfyUI 3. Cinematics + MotionControls + Narrative Simulation (Luma AI) 4. Final Edits for Stakeholder Immersion (CapCut) Designers using generative tools are not just visualizing possibilities, they are curating intent. One visual at a time. Who else is using AI as a proactive design engine, not just a visualization layer? #lumaai #dreammachine #WaterfrontLiving #architecture #urbanism #AIinDesign #LumaAI #ComfyUI #MidJourney #DesignDevelopment #ConstructionSimulation #UrbanDesignTools #RealEstateInnovation #VisualThinking #FutureDistricts #GenerativeUrbanism #DesignToReality

When you’re working on a story, make sure you start visualizations way early in the process. This isn’t about polished visuals for your final communication, but rather the rough, exploratory visualizations at the exploration & analysis phase. These visuals don’t have to be perfect at all, because their main purpose is to help you uncover trends, patterns, outliers, or any other relationships that might not be immediately apparent in raw data. Creating visualizations during an early phase will allow you to get a more clear & accurate understanding of the data patterns, which in turn can make your final story more coherent. A lot of times visualizations are treated as an afterthought, but the risk of this is, stories can lack depth, context and the richness that comes from deeply understanding the data. 🐳 For instance🐳 For customer churn rates, without properly visualizing the data at the analysis phase, you might write “Churn rates are higher among new customers.” But, maybe if you created a heat map, you would notice that the issue is concentrated in one specific product or region. Without this visualization, the story would remain vague, and actions to address churns would lack precision. At its core, data visualization isn’t just a tool for communicating insights, it’s a powerful mechanism for discovering them as well. So integrate visualizations at the exploration/analysis phase itself, because whether or not the visuals appear in the final communication, their impact on your story’s depth will be strong as the narrative will be grounded in reality.

Unlocking Success in Client Consultation with the 3P’s Framework After countless hours of listening to podcasts, reading books on project management, and working hands-on with clients on diverse projects, "I've learned an invaluable framework that works every time for pitching services or managing projects."—the 3P: People, Process, and Performance. Here's how this framework can elevate your client interactions: 1. People: Showcase Your Dream Team Clients should know that they will work with the best. Highlight why your team is uniquely positioned to deliver results: i. Emphasize the expertise of your team members and how they align with solving the client’s problem statements. ii. Introduce key players who will directly support the client, sharing their background and achievements. iii. Share your organization's client-centric culture, demonstrating collaboration, commitment, and motivation to succeed together. 2. Process: Present a Clear Path to Success A structured approach is important for gaining the client’s confidence: i. Start by deeply understanding the client's challenges and needs. ii. Provide a clear program structure, outlining implementation timelines, key milestones, and the final execution plan. iii. Highlight the tools and methodologies that make your process reliable, scalable, and customizable to their requirements. 3. Performance: Focus on Results At the end of the day, outcomes matter the most. Demonstrate your ability to deliver measurable success: i. Showcase case studies, success stories, or data from similar projects that highlight increased revenue, reduced costs, or other impactful results. ii. Clearly communicate how your solution aligns with the client's goals and how they can expect similar metrics. The 3P’s framework has been a game-changer for me, helping to build trust, communicate value, and foster strong partnerships with clients. #ClientEngagement #PeopleProcessPerformance #BusinessGrowth #Projectmanagement

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗜 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗠𝗮𝗽 𝗮 𝗡𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗕𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗦𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 Slides fail before design starts. The problem is unclear story. So I map the narrative first. No tools opened. No layouts chosen. Only thinking on paper. I start with one sentence. This sentence holds everything. If it feels weak, I stop. Then I map key beats. Five to seven moments only. Each beat earns its place. I place them side by side. Left to right flow. Like a clear journey. Next comes emotion mapping. Where tension builds. Where it drops. Where it resolves. I draw a simple curve. Peaks show attention points. Valleys show breathing space. Then I speak it aloud. No slides allowed. No visuals to hide behind. If it drags, I cut. If it confuses, I rewrite. Only then, visual hints. • One icon per beat • No colors yet • No typography choices Slides come last. Story comes first. Always. This reduces edits. This saves time. This builds trust fast. Try this once. You will not go back. #presentationdesign #storytelling #slidecreation #communicationdesign #visualthinking #Vgdsglobal

Want to make great work as a professional? Strike a balance between the work you want to create and the challenges you must solve for the client. The key is sharing the same ambition so you are fulfilled while also delivering excellence. Understand the type of work you’re suited for and politely decline anything that isn’t the right fit. Set clear expectations for excellence and ensure everyone understands and strives for it. Every brief is an opportunity, however small. Invest time in creating work that excites you and moves you forward. Focus on this. Practice. Practice. Practice. Do not surf for long periods looking at other people’s work. Start by challenging yourself to look at things with a fresh eye. Focus on you rather than what other designers are doing. Enjoy other people’s work, but don’t fall into the trap of wanting what they have. Take calculated risks. Don’t fear failure: reframe each challenge as an opportunity to learn and grow, then use those lessons to find new ideas. Foster a safe, collaborative environment with diverse perspectives where people can freely share ideas and contribute their strengths. Encourage personal responsibility; everyone should take ownership of their tasks and the quality of their work. Ensure that all voices are heard. It’s better to try something, make it, hack it, and see what you’ve won. Almost always, it reveals something new or exciting. Often, clients suggest something to express a need they can’t quite articulate. The skill is translating that feedback into great work that meets the client’s needs rather than taking it literally. Route any feedback to the strategy and how it delivers for the people the brand serves. It is easier to debate the merits of the design and less subjective. However... Create space for idiosyncratic and instinctual ideas. Once a brief is absorbed, great intuitive ideas often appear if you stay open to them. Protect openness and honesty. Always look for ways to improve. This won’t be easy, so approach it with sensitivity and recognise it as essential to making great work. Be wary of recycling old ideas. Draw from your experience, but stay curious and keep exploring new ideas. This takes persistence and determination. There is no denying it’s hard work. Optimism and enthusiasm are superpowers. Wield them throughout a project, not just at the start. Always support each other. Good communication keeps people excited and engaged on particularly lengthy or complicated projects. Acknowledge and celebrate both small and big wins. After project completion, reflect on what went well and what could be improved, fostering continuous growth.

🎯 "If your data visualization needs explanation, it’s not good enough." I saw this recently, and while it sounds great, I respectfully disagree. A lot of people assume that once a dashboard looks sleek, it will tell the full story. But the truth is visuals alone don’t drive actions 📌 The foundation of effective data storytelling includes: ✔️ Data ✔️ Visuals ✔️ Narrative In fact, at the point of building a beautifully designed, insight-rich dashboard, you still risk persuading your stakeholders unless those visuals are wrapped in a compelling narrative. Until you’ve established the flow of your data story, focusing on visualization is only a distraction. 🚩 Let me walk you through my 4-Step Model for building powerful data storytelling narratives ✅️ 1. Identify Your Aha Moment Start by identifying the key insight that forms the core of your data story — the “Aha!” moment that matters. 📍Example: “Our key projects are delayed by 100–120 days.” this is vague, because if fails to answer the critical question; So What??? When you explain that this delay will incur an extra $1.2m in idle labor and equipment cost that wasn't budgeted, now you have an Aha moment ✅ 2. Find Your Beginning (The Hook) Once you know the end point (your Aha!), find the right entry point, your hook. Stakeholders don’t care about the number of queries you ran or how long your model took to train. They want clarity, not complexity. 📍Example: Instead of starting with technical jargon Start like this: “Every month we’re losing over ₦15M in opportunity costs due to project delays.” Now that’s a hook — it speaks directly to business value. ✅ 3. Select the Rising Phase This is where your story builds the bridge between your hook and Aha moment. Think of this as the evidence journey. key insights that stack toward your big reveal. 📍Example: We mapped the rising insights like this: 1️⃣ Delays were concentrated in just 3 departments. 2️⃣ Each delay was traced back to approval bottlenecks. 3️⃣ 78% of those delays could be prevented by automating vendor review workflows. Suddenly, the 100–120 day delay made sense, it had causes, and fixes.. ✅ 4. End with Empowerment Your data story must end with clear guidance: What should your audience do now? How does this insight lead to action? 📍 Example: We didn’t just say “fix the delay.” We proposed a pilot automation in the Procurement Department. Estimated savings? ₦5M in Q1 alone. And yes, please leave time for discussion and Q&A. If you're starting your data journey, join our training program which blends technical and soft skills helping you become a proficient data analyst Apply Now for 30% Discount Offer https://lnkd.in/dJNdqkhQ