Your New Secret Weapon for Designer Conversations
No More Awkward Nodding And Smiling
You know that feeling, right? Your website designer starts talking about "URL slugs" and "opt-ins," and you find yourself doing that polite nod-and-smile thing while internally screaming, "What are they even saying?!"
Been there. Done that. Got the confused-client t-shirt (just kidding).
Here's the thing: I used to assume everyone spoke tech fluently just because we're all glued to our devices. Reality check: knowing how to scroll Instagram doesn't automatically translate to understanding web design lingo. My friend and client reminded me of this recently when she'd pause our conversations every few minutes, asking, "Wait, what does that mean again?"
That's when it hit me. We need a better solution than those endless, overwhelming blog posts that read like dictionaries nobody has time for.
The Lightbulb Moment
So there I was, browsing the internet (yes, I'm still old school like that), finding post after post of designer terminology lists. They were...exhausting. Miles of text with zero organisation. Who's going to memorise all that? And trying to find one specific term? Forget about it.
That's when I decided to try something different. My first experiment with "Vibe Coding" using Claude AI. I described my vision and watched it come to life. The first version was pretty basic, functional, but boring. That's where having a designer's eye becomes crucial. After some creative tweaks, we landed on something useful.
Your New Best Friend: The Interactive Design Glossary
Meet your secret weapon: Interactive Design Glossary (can also be located via Resources at the top there).
This isn't another overwhelming list. It's a searchable, user-friendly tool that gives you exactly what you need, when you need it.
How to Use It (Because Simple is Better):
Before Your Next Designer Call:
Bookmark the page.
Keep it open during conversations.
Type in any confusing term as it comes up.
During Conversations:
No more "pretending to understand" faces.
Quick search, instant clarity.
Stay engaged instead of lost.
After Meetings:
Jot down terms you heard but didn't catch.
Look them up at your own pace.
Build your confidence for next time.
Pro Tips for Design Conversations
The "Pause and Clarify" Method: Instead of nodding along, try: "Hold on, can you break down what [specific term] means for my business?" Most designers appreciate clients who ask questions.
The Note-Taking Strategy: Keep a running list of terms during calls. Look them up afterward using the glossary. You'll start recognizing patterns and feeling more confident.
The Preparation Game: If you know you're discussing SEO or e-commerce, spend 5 minutes browsing relevant terms beforehand. You'll follow along better and ask better questions.
When to Call Your Designer
While the glossary handles basic terminology, reach out to your designer when:
You need clarification on how a term applies to YOUR specific site.
You want to implement something, but aren't sure about the technical steps.
The explanation seems overly complex for your needs.
What's Next?
This is just the beginning. I'm planning more practical tools based on what you need. Got ideas? Send me a message! Maybe you're struggling with understanding analytics? Or confused about different page types? I'm here for it.
Your Action Plan (Takes 2 Minutes):
Bookmark the Interactive Design Glossary.
Test it out with a term you've always wondered about.
Keep it handy for your next designer conversation.
Tell me in the comments what other tools would make your life easier.
Remember: asking questions doesn't make you look unprepared, it makes you look engaged. Your designer wants you to understand this stuff. It makes their job easier and your website better.
Now go forth and speak designer! Your confident, informed self is waiting.
