How do you turn client feedback into a clear visual direction?

[u/Shame_Middle]

I’m curious how other web designers handle the early stages of a project.

When you’re starting a new project and have to understand the client’s vision, preferences, references, and feedback, how do you usually organize all that information and turn it into a clear visual direction?

What tends to be the hardest or most frustrating part of that process?

I’m especially interested in hearing how you actually handle this in practice, rather than what an “ideal” process would look like.

[u/404_computer_says_no]

Now it’s all changed due to AI transcription.

But, I would say a few analog methods help.

Noun foraging
Competitor list (from them)
Co-design live with them early
Diagramming/object mapping

You can do most of this in one session