DESIGN RESOLUTIONS: WHAT WE LEARNED IN 2025
And what we’re doing better in 2026
2025 was full of surprises. Some of them were delightful! Some of them were… humbling. And every one of them taught us something.
So this year, we took stock of what worked, what didn’t, and what genuinely made us better designers and collaborators.
Here’s what we learned and how we’re evolving for the year ahead:
WHAT WE LEARNED
The art of letting go.
When we finish a website design project, we’re usually pretty proud of what we’ve created. For a moment, everything is just right. Then we hand the site off… and sometimes clients change things. And sometimes that makes us a little anxious. What was wrong with the website? What didn’t we get right?
But this year has reminded us that the edits aren’t a critique of our work — they’re really a reflection of our client’s growth. As businesses evolve, so should their websites. New offers, new photos, clearer messaging, and shifting priorities are all parts of the natural lifecycle of a brand. And that’s exactly why we use Squarespace: it empowers clients to update their sites easily and confidently.
Watching those updates happen in real time can still make us nervous sometimes, but seeing clients take ownership of their site is slowly becoming one of our favorite parts of the process.
AI-generated copy is here to stay [for now].
We don’t use generative AI tools in our design or writing process, but many of our clients do. We’ve received AI-drafted website copy and even AI-generated questionnaire responses. Instead of bucking against that entirely, we are learning how to work with clients who choose to use these tools.
We now require that our questionnaire be answered by the client — no robots — because no one knows your business better than you do. But if clients choose to use AI for website copy, we help refine it to make sure it’s clear and human. And for those who want fully human-written content, we offer copywriting services to take it off their plate altogether.
Invite more people to the conversation.
Collaboration is everything, but it’s also a balancing act. Too many voices can stall momentum, but too few can narrow the perspective and create blind spots.
We’ve learned that bringing the right mix of people into the conversation early leads to more inclusive, thoughtful, and effective work. Especially when DEIB is at the heart of a project, broadening who’s at the table from the start is vital. The more perspectives we hear, the more our designs reflect the real world they’re meant to serve.
There is no perfect timeline.
In our ideal world, every website project is wrapped up in six weeks. And occasionally that happens, but only when clients come fully armed with their branding, photos, and copy already in place.
But the truth is, not every business has that all at the ready [and that’s ok!] Sometimes clients need extra time to consult with stakeholders, gather new visuals, or take advantage of our copywriting support.
So while we still offer the six-week timeline, we’ve learned to build in flexibility. A thoughtful process always leads to better results, so we leave space for changes and delays instead of overwhelming clients with hard deadlines.
WHAT WE’RE DOING DIFFERENTLY NEXT YEAR
Slowing down our onboarding process.
We love the excitement of a new project — sometimes a little too much. In the past, we’ve sent onboarding documents along with the contract because everything felt ready to go. But we’ve learned that timing matters. Clients need space to review the proposal, ask questions, and sign when they’re truly ready.
Going forward, we’re reserving onboarding materials for the moment a project is officially underway. It keeps everyone aligned, reduces confusion, and ensures we’re putting our energy into the right place at the right time.
Showing up more consistently on social media.
No matter what your field is, it’s hard to show up online consistently. We spent years coaching our past communications clients on how important it is to show up online, but were terrible at practicing what we preached. It’s just too exciting to work on our clients’ projects!
But some of our favorite collaborations happened because someone found us on social media. So in 2026, we’re committing to being more present online. Want to join us? Give us a follow!
Letting go of first reveal anxiety.
Whenever we do the first walk-through of a new website design with a client, we’re nervous. EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. Maybe it’s the Millennial people-pleaser inside us. Maybe we’re just too excited. Either way, we’ve realized that this anxiety doesn’t have any root in reality. We’ve never ever had a client tell us that we’ve missed the mark.
And that’s because we put so much time and effort into our discovery calls and onboarding process. We ensure we meet our clients’ needs and surpass their expectations. We listen, take notes, and actively work toward something they will be proud to show. And we don’t just do what they ask — we offer guidance, make suggestions, and craft a digital presence that reflects the heart of their work.
So in 2026, we’re choosing to trust that process and come into reveals with more confidence!
If launching [or redesigning] your website is on your list of resolutions this year, we’d love to collaborate with you. Whether you’re starting from scratch, reimagining your brand, or finally ready to bring that long-postponed project to life, we’re here to help you create something awesome. CLICK HERE to get in touch.
