When “Just Shift This” Isn’t That Simple: A Real Look Behind Design Revisions

Clients often say things like “just change this” or “shift that slightly” and on the surface, it really does sound like a small request. But for designers, we know it’s not always just a quick click or a simple drag. Even small edits can throw off alignment, spacing, flow, or the whole layout altogether.

What looks like a one-minute task can sometimes mean reworking the entire structure just to make sure everything still holds together nicely.

I get it ; not everyone sees what we see. But just like how you wouldn’t tell a doctor where to cut, or an engineer how to build a bridge, design deserves the same level of respect. It's a craft, and there's a process.

What We Keep Running Into:

• “Small” edits can turn out to be more layered than they look

• Clients often assume that if it's fast, it's easy

• Our job isn’t just to move things, it’s to make them work visually

  
  

And How We Usually Respond:

• We clarify, not complain

• We explain, not judge

• We try to create understanding; not just nice-looking design

Because good design isn’t just about doing things fast. It’s about doing it right even if it takes more time than expected.

So, Why Can’t We “Just Do It”?

Let’s say you tell us to shift an image just a little to the left. That small move might mean realigning other elements, making sure it still looks good on both desktop and mobile, or rechecking how the rest of the layout flows.

It’s not that we don’t want to, it’s that these things aren’t always as quick as they seem.

A few examples:

• “Replace the word” → may require text box resizing, spacing fixes, and alignment checks

• “Add a logo” → might need matching, resizing, and re-balancing the visual weight

• “Shift this slightly” → often affects margins, grids, or mobile responsiveness

What Clients Usually Don’t See

What’s Said	What’s Actually Happening Behind the Scenes
“Just move this a bit”	Re-check spacing, grids, flow, and responsiveness
“Replace this word”	Adjust layout, spacing, line breaks, possibly even rework sections
“Add this icon”	Source it, resize it, make sure it fits the visual tone

These aren’t impossible; of course not. But they take more than a second. And when there’s a lot of “just one more thing,” that’s where delays and fatigue creep in.

The Design Process Isn’t Magic; It’s Thoughtful Work

Most of the time, clients don’t mean harm. They just don’t know what’s going on behind the scenes and that’s okay.

But design isn’t just making something look pretty. It’s solving a problem visually, building a system that works across platforms, and making sure everything connects.

It’s not about being difficult. It’s just that doing it right takes time, thought, and care.

So What Helps?

Honestly? Just open, honest communication.

• We love when clients ask questions

• We appreciate when timelines are respected

• And we’re happy to walk through what’s easy vs what’s not

  
  

Because when clients understand what’s involved, working together becomes smoother and the results become better.

Final Thought

Designers don’t need clients to become designers. But a little respect for the process makes a big difference. We’re not here to push back on feedback — we’re here to help bring your vision to life.

All we ask is: let’s do it together, with understanding and trust.

From the desk of Trixy.&

Thoughts on creative work, clear communication, and the real stuff behind “just shift this”.