What are you buying with a designer?

September 28, 20241 Minutes

Every designer has a special superpower: a feeling. Our feeling about branding and visual direction and the only way to get it is through experience. 

Every designer possesses a unique superpower—an intuitive sense of visual direction. This isn’t something that can be taught; it’s cultivated through years of hands-on experience, crafting designs, making mistakes, and learning from them. It’s a blend of intuition and ethical standards that enables a designer to see what a brand is and feel what it can become.

Personal values and moral principles guide us to judge what is right and what should not be done. In the process, we craft products and services guided by our moral compass, and it usually gets really personal. When all are aligned correctly, we know the final creation reflects our values.

My instinct is one of the most powerful abilities that I have developed as a designer.  I can perceive it clearly, but ultimately, the choice comes down to my feelings—nothing more and nothing less.



Don’t miss the next essay. Signup for our newsletter
⸻ Newsletter signup


To all the misfits who jumped to freelancing


Freelance designer struggles define the creative journey more than any success story. Behind every independent designer lies a path marked by financial uncertainty, demanding clients, and the constant choice between compromise and conviction. These struggles shape not just careers, but the entire creative industry.

Read More

Should designers code?


Should designers code? This question surfaces regularly in design communities, but it misses the bigger picture. The real question isn't whether designers should code, but how expanding our skillset makes us more effective creative professionals.

Read More

Is it sexy?


Is it sexy? This question captures the essence of what separates good design from mere aesthetics. When evaluating branding work, asking "is it sexy" reveals whether design creates genuine desire and lasting impression beyond surface beauty.

Read More

Pitch


Design pitch process problems plague the industry when clients seek free ideas without meaningful collaboration. This lottery-style approach prevents the deep discussions necessary for exceptional work, leaving both designers and clients unsatisfied with surface-level solutions.

Read More

It is not ok to fail


Brand failure prevention requires strategic thinking before any creative work begins. Too many entrepreneurs and designers approach branding with a "try and see" mentality, but this essay argues why thorough preparation and honest evaluation are essential for brand success.

Read More

Ethics


Design ethics sustainability represents the convergence of responsible practice with long-term thinking. Every design decision impacts economy, environment, and society - the three pillars that define whether our work contributes to a better future or perpetuates harmful patterns.

Read More

Everything beautiful is analog


Analog design philosophy argues that our most meaningful creative experiences exist beyond digital screens. In an era where designers spend countless hours staring at monitors, the tactile process of creating physical products offers something irreplaceable. This philosophy suggests that true design mastery comes through hands-on collaboration with craftsmen and materials.

Read More

Good design is for good clients


Good design clients are essential partners in creating successful outcomes. At Visual Brain Gravity in Ljubljana, we've learned that the best projects emerge when good design clients become genuine friends who share mutual trust and understanding.

Read More



Copyright © 2004 ⸻ 2026. Visual Brain Gravity is a design studio in Ljubljana, Slovenia. Specializing in brand identity systems and structured visual design.. ⸻ contact us at hello@vbg.si.

46.0459986°N ,14.5086705°W
Good design is for good clients. Privacy policy


Ljubljana
--:--:--

London
--:--:--

New York
--:--:--

Tokyo
--:--:--



Privacy Preference Center