What Makes a Successful (Online) Design Community?
Tags: Online Community, Design, Design Community, Designer, Community Engagement

We conducted a survey to get a better understanding of how designers currently participate in the communities that they are a part of and how they collaborate with others in the industry. Our goal was to gather insights that would help us examine key elements of a cooperative, friendly environment that produces favourable conditions for creative problem solving and collaboration. Since our mission at Design.local is to work together to build resilient communities, this data allows us to stay aligned with our vision. We hope that by sharing our findings and defining the fundamental requirements of a successful design community we can help designers decide what cohorts to join and helps us refine the user experience on our own platform.

So what did we find?

6 Essential Elements of a Successful Design Community:

1. An omni-channel experience

“I really have to go out of my way to collaborate [with and] get to know other designers.”

While it’s more difficult to keep a community engaged and active with everyone online, there are still many ways to leverage social media and provide value to creatives. Most businesses today invest in creating a multi-channel experience for their users. They’ll create a Twitter page, a Facebook page, an Instagram account, a website etc. to increase their reach. While this is still a worthwhile endeavour, most users will find that the experience is not seamless across all the channels and may find it difficult to truly adopt the brand. On the other hand, creating an omni-channel allows for an integrated experience for the user; the company’s message is aligned across the channels, and the interactions remain consistent and effortless. People appreciate efficiency and will more readily embrace a system that works with them rather than against them. You can spot omni-channel experiences if you find it easy to interact with a brand and connect with them readily through any of their channels. This type of seamless experience will make it easier to participate and form an ongoing relationship with the community you choose to be a part of.

2. Dropping value bombs

Dribble, Instagram, and Medium ranked among the top three sources of inspiration for the problem solvers that we surveyed:

Instagram and Medium ranked among the top 3 for sources of inspiration for problem-solvers.

How are they used?

Most problem solvers seem to use social media for tutorials, inspiration and articles.

When asked about the kinds of content that they consumed the most on these platforms, tutorials, inspiration, and articles came out on top. It is clear that we are attracted to value. The more of it we get in one place, the better. These popular platforms are designed to deliver content in manageable amounts so it’s important to pack as much value as you can into everything that you produce. As designers and content creators we ought to keep in mind what we are giving to the viewers of our content, because on the other end of it, as users we are asking ourselves, “How is this relevant and useful to me?” And be wary of producing purely self-promoting content. Always think about what you are giving your audience, whether that’s information, education, or entertainment etc. Creating value consistently is what drives engagement and increases retention. Look out for content that provides these value bombs that you find useful, engaging, and that helps you grow as a designer. A community that is always looking out for the best interest of its users will have plenty of value to go around.

3. Keep it short and sweet

We are often bombarded with so much information online that it leads to mental fatigue and choice paralysis. Through our survey, we learned that while creative individuals look to social media as a source of education and inspiration, they appreciate content presented in a short and easily digestible way. For example, carousels have become a highly popular method for designers to share their knowledge on Instagram — not only are they visually appealing, but they also distill complex topics into key, actionable insights.

Rather than linking to a long article or conversely, presenting photos with no real substance, we can create a series of well-crafted and meaningful images that individuals can swipe through within a few minutes. This way, busy creatives in need of a quick dose of inspiration or knowledge can gain something valuable without feeling overwhelmed.

4. Creating an impact

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels

The subject of making a difference and finding purpose was touched upon in the results of our survey. It revealed that over 90% of our creatives had one or more causes that were dear to them. If you suddenly came upon a large sum of money and were so inclined to donate some of it, there are probably a few charities or causes that would immediately cross your mind as well. As designers, we want to make a difference, no matter the scale. Being a part of a community that provides a way for an individual to do that will create a more fulfilling environment where they feel like what they do, matters. This could be a community that creates a platform for like-minded members to collaborate on a passion project, or simply just providing the resources to form the initial spark. A community that makes its individual contributors feel important will flourish.

5. Thriving on feedback

Image by Patzwerk on Dribbble

Design projects can oftentimes feel daunting because there’s never one “right answer” or an exact template to follow. Many designers, especially those just starting out, experience “Imposter Syndrome” and lose confidence in their own abilities. They have great potential, but lack the support, guidance, and reassurance from the right people to truly thrive. Design communities have the potential to be an amazing source of support and growth for designers of all levels of experience. While more senior designers can offer feedback from their rich experience working in the industry, junior designers or enthusiasts coming from a different field can provide fresh perspectives. Mutual feedback and support helps designers grow, and is one of the most valuable things that a community can provide to its members.

6. Community focused

Image by Yuanlei Huang on Dribbble

Our survey revealed that 85% of respondents find the time to work on side projects. But with so many possibilities, how can designers find one that will make a meaningful impact? Our answer is to look within the local community. Identifying the right opportunities within a local community will naturally bring like-minded people together. Whether it’s a local issue, initiative or not-for-profit organization, there are many ways in which problem-solvers can contribute their creative skills to make their local community a better place. Not only will they gain hands-on experience, they can meet potential mentors and make new friends in the area. This community-focused approach is a powerful tool that will help to establish a strong foundation for a growing design collective.