Great ideas don’t die in boardrooms, they get buried under “Can we just…” feedback.

Let’s be honest.

You started with a cracking idea. It was punchy, exciting — maybe even a little bit risky. But then everyone had thoughts. And those thoughts had babies. And before you knew it, the whole thing had been poked, prodded, tweaked, and toned down until it resembled a sad, lifeless version of its former self.

Welcome to the magical world of Design by Committee. Population: too many cooks. Result: creative casserole catastrophe.

What actually happens when everyone’s involved

We get it — involving the team feels like the fair thing to do. You want buy-in, collaboration, and happy faces around the table. But here’s what really goes down:

• Vision gets diluted. You started with clarity, now you’ve got contradictions.
• Design becomes decoration. It’s no longer solving a problem — it’s just… there.
• Endless feedback loops that eat your time, your budget, and your will to live.
• Nothing stands out. It ticks boxes, but it doesn’t turn heads.

This isn’t about ego. It’s about impact. Creative decisions by consensus usually lead to one thing: safe work that no one remembers.

Why it happens (and why it’s so damn common)

Don’t worry — we’re not just here to moan. This problem crops up because:

• Everyone wants a say (and they should, to a point)
• There’s no creative lead, just a wall of approvals
• We’re afraid of getting it wrong, so we blend instead of bolden
• Personal taste creeps in, hijacking strategic thinking

(Also — let’s be real — sometimes it’s just easier to nod along than say, “Actually, that’s not the move.”)

So how do you dodge the Frankendesign trap?

Here’s how you keep the creative spark alive without blowing up the team dynamic:

1. Assign a Creative Lead
   One person calls it creatively — that’s the role. Feedback? Yes. Endless edits? No.
2. Write a Killer Brief and Stick to It
   If it’s not solving a problem in the brief, it’s probably a vanity tweak.
3. Timebox Feedback Rounds
   Set clear windows for input. “Any thoughts?” is an invitation to chaos.
4. Use Creative Rationale, Not Personal Preference
   It’s not about whether Karen likes the colour. It’s about whether it aligns with the goal.
5. Trust the Experts
   You hired creatives for a reason. Let them lead. Bold work needs backing.

You don’t need everyone’s input — you just need the right input

Imagine five people trying to direct a movie. One says sci-fi, one wants a rom-com, one just loves musicals. Sounds chaotic? That’s your last design project. Design isn’t about democracy. It’s about clarity. Direction. Impact.

Let’s kill the culture of “what does everyone think?” and start asking better questions:

• Does it solve the brief?
• Will it move the needle?
• Is it bold enough to be remembered?

If the answer’s yes, that’s your green light. If the answer’s “well… Sue prefers Helvetica,” it’s time for a creative intervention.

At Weird Wolf, we love collaboration — but we really love results.
If you’re ready to work with a team that doesn’t design by committee (but does deliver punchy, powerful, strategically sound creative), let’s talk.