The best designers know that presenting a design is as much an art as creating it. They typically tell a story with their presentation rather than just showing visuals. This means they start by framing the problem or goal: for example, reminding the audience of the project objectives or user needs (“We needed a mobile app UI that helps first-time users onboard quickly”). This context sets up why the design decisions matter. Top designers also show their thinking and process in a concise way. They might include a couple of slides of early sketches or alternate ideas they explored, to demonstrate that they considered options and arrived at the best solution systematically. By doing that, they preempt questions like “Did you try X?” – because they can say, “Yes, we did, here’s why we went with Y.” Another hallmark is focusing on benefits and outcomes in the presentation. Instead of saying “I chose blue because I like it,” a great designer will say “We chose this shade of blue because in usability tests it provided the best readability and conveys trust, aligning with your brand values.” They tie design elements to client/stakeholder priorities (branding, conversion, user happiness, etc.). Visually, their presentation itself is well-designed and not text-heavy. They use big, high-fidelity mockups or prototypes, possibly in context (like showing a website design on a monitor image or a mobile app on a phone render), which helps stakeholders envision the real use. They might even use slight animation or interactive prototypes during the presentation to wow the audience with a realistic feel. Crucially, the best designers invite feedback and communicate openness. They impress not by being defensive but by being professional: “If you recall, your feedback last time was to make the CTA more prominent – we did that by… and it increased emphasis on the desired action.” This shows they listen and iterate, which builds trust. Finally, rehearsal and clarity are key: they speak the stakeholders’ language (less design jargon, more customer or business impact terms) and they have a logical flow. Perhaps starting with overview, then walking through key screens or components in an order that simulates the user journey, and concluding with how the design meets the original goals. By the end, clients see not just a pretty design, but a well-thought-out solution that achieves what they need – and that’s ultimately what impresses them.
