Too Much Creative Freedom Is a Bad Thing
The worst thing a client can say to me is "just do whatever you think is best."
It sounds generous. It feels like trust. But it's actually a setup for a project that goes sideways.
Creative work doesn't thrive in open fields. It thrives in boxes. The tighter the constraints, the sharper the work. Give me a clear problem, a real budget, a defined audience, and a deadline, and I'll give you something that works. Give me total freedom and I'll give you something that looks cool but probably misses the point.
Freedom Isn't A Gift. It's A Gap.
When a client says "I trust you, just run with it," what I hear is: we haven't done the work to figure out what we actually need.
That's not a criticism. Most people don't know how to write a creative brief. But skipping that step means your creative partner is guessing. And guessing leads to revisions, frustration, and work that doesn't land.
A blank canvas isn't inspiring. It's paralyzing. Or worse, it's an invitation to make something self-indulgent that serves the portfolio more than the client's business.
Constraints Are The Job
Design isn't art. Art can exist for its own sake. Design has a job to do.
A logo has to work at 16 pixels and on a billboard. A website has to load fast and convert visitors. A brand system has to be usable by a team that didn't create it. Those are constraints. And they're exactly what makes the work good.
The best creative work I've done has come from projects with clear boundaries. A tight budget forces prioritization. A short timeline kills overthinking. A specific audience keeps the work focused. These things feel like limitations, but they're actually instructions.
What "Do Whatever You Want" Really Means
When clients give too much freedom, it usually means one of a few things.
They don't know what they want yet. That's fine, but it means we need a strategy conversation before a design conversation.
They're afraid to give feedback. Maybe they've worked with a precious designer before who pushed back on every note. So they stay hands-off to avoid conflict.
They think constraints will limit creativity. The opposite is true. Creativity without direction is just noise.
How To Give Better Constraints
You don't need to be a designer to give useful direction.
Here's what actually helps.
Tell us what problem we're solving. Not "we need a new website" but "our website doesn't convert leads" or "people don't understand what we do."
Tell us who it's for. A specific audience makes every design decision easier.
Tell us what's not working now. Show me what you've tried and why it missed.
Tell us what success looks like. More sales? Easier recruiting? A brand your team is proud to share?
Give us examples. Not so I can copy them, but so I can understand your taste and what resonates with you.
That's it. You don't need to know the answer. You just need to help me understand the question.
Quick Answers
Why do designers need constraints?
Constraints define the problem. Without them, designers are guessing, which leads to work that looks good but doesn't function.
What's the best way to brief a designer?
Be clear about the problem, the audience, the budget, and what success looks like. Share examples of what you like and don't like.
Can you give a designer too much freedom?
Yes. Total freedom often leads to self-indulgent work, more revisions, and projects that miss the mark.
Is creative work better with limitations?
Yes. Tight constraints force focus, prioritization, and sharper problem-solving.
The Takeaway
If you're about to hire a creative partner and you're tempted to say "just do whatever you think is best," pause. That's not trust. That's a missing brief.
The best creative work comes from clear problems, defined audiences, and real constraints. The box isn't the enemy. The box is the brief. And the work is always better when we build inside it.
