What Clients Mean by “Make It Pop” in Graphic Design

Rarely do statements slow a designer down in the way that “Make it pop” can. It seems so simple, yet it can be interpreted in a hundred different ways. Your client might want the design to be more vibrant, eye-catching, modern, or perhaps less boring. However, the phrase “make it pop” doesn’t really help a designer understand what needs changing.

Good design isn’t just making something eye-catching by using more colors, effects, or elements. Good design is knowing what the client wants the audience to see and designing for that purpose.

What Does “Make It Pop” Really Mean?

The statement “make it pop” from clients comes from something that appears to lack visual power. It might be too flat, busy, common, or not in alignment with the brand.

Sometimes the clients do not have the terminology to explain what they mean by the technicalities of design. They only have the sense that the design lacks an intended effect.

It is important for designers to recognize the meaning of that reaction rather than take the literal meaning of the phrase.

It Could Be a Problem With Visual Hierarchy

One of the most frequent causes of a boring design is lack of good visual hierarchy. In case everything has the same size, the same weight, the same colour and importance, the viewer doesn’t understand what to focus on.

A good design directs the viewer. First, one must see the headline, then additional information and the next action.

Not always a designer adds some new design elements into his work. He simply makes the headline bigger, improves the spacing, the contrast or removes excessive information.

Sometimes the Colour Needs Attention

Colour is yet another typical reason why people ask for “make it pop.” It can happen that the colours in the design itself may be appropriate but there is no proper contrast.

This could be the case if the headline colour of the design was light on a light background. An action button which was subtle may not stand out from other design elements.

It is not necessary that all designs should have vibrant colours because in most cases using only one vivid colour on a background is more effective than making all parts of the design vibrant.

More Effects Do Not Always Mean Better Design

When it comes to thinking about how to make something noticeable, one may think about shadows, gradients, outlines, animations, glows in the text, and other visual treatments.

Such effects may prove helpful if applied judiciously. But if effects are used in an excessive manner, the design may become outdated or confusing.

But first of all, a professional designer considers the structure of the design. If the message, spacing, typography, and hierarchy are well balanced in the design, then even a small visual treatment may be sufficient.

Often a good design looks very simple as unnecessary things have been stripped away.

What Designers Should Ask Instead

Instead of trying to figure out what the client wants by guesswork, we can turn “make it pop” into a meaningful discussion.

Just a couple of questions will help set the course:

  • What should stand out?
  • Is it too boring or too cluttered?
  • Are there any competitors’ designs that you like better?
  • Should it be more premium, energetic, modern, friendly?

Such questions will make the general remark more specific and goal-oriented.

“Make It Pop” Is Often About Emotion

Design goes beyond aesthetics. The client will often expect a certain reaction from his audience.

The restaurant might expect that the design of his graphic should be exciting. The tech company could expect that the website will be looking professional and reliable. The luxurious product could have visuals that will appear sophisticated.

Therefore, it is important for the designer to know what brand and the target audience he is working with before altering the design. An attractive design will fail even if it gives out the wrong message.

The Best Design Is Not Always the Loudest

The next time one hears the phrase “Make it pop,” the response should not always be about increasing font size, using brighter colors, or more effects. Rather, it should be, “Why can’t this design catch some attention?”

After that question, everything will be much simpler because it will depend on whether it requires stronger contrast, good typography, better spacing, better imagery, or a better message.

If a business requires professional visuals tailored to its brand and communication needs, then it is Incinque Agency that offers design help centered around visual communication.