Unexpected changes in design can be stressful, but they are not the main reason to make a decision. The key is to get your bearings quickly. What is important and what is secondary? Then prioritize your priorities. Focus on functionality rather than details. Divide the work into phases and create a clear rhythm. And most importantly, normalize. Panic gets in the way, and a structured approach turns chaos into quality solutions.

Work through a management of change process. Identify the correct stakeholders and form a team: Technical assurance, Design Engineers, Operational engineers and applicable SME's. Team identifies the risks and uncertainties. Assign workstreams to reduce them. Have a peer review of the items once they are all closed out. Document the changes and feature the outcomes in the operational program

Maintaining quality under unexpected design revisions requires focus and adaptability. I prioritize tasks, addressing high-impact changes first while ensuring alignment with project goals. Using design systems and templates speeds up execution without compromising consistency. Clear communication with stakeholders helps manage expectations and prevent unnecessary revisions. Rapid feedback loops allow for quick refinements while maintaining quality control. By staying organized, leveraging past work, and balancing efficiency with creativity, I ensure the final design meets high standards—even under pressure.

Stay Agile & Solution-Focused: I see revisions as opportunities to refine the design. I revisit the brief and process to determine the best starting point, ensuring quick pivots while keeping the core vision intact. Work Smarter with Tools: I leverage Figma components and Adobe automation to streamline workflows and meet tight deadlines without compromising quality. I continuously learn new efficiencies as needed, making them invaluable for both daily tasks and high-pressure situations. Prioritise the End-User: Every revision must enhance functionality and impact, whether for an event experience or a digital campaign. Learn & Evolve: I analyse recurring changes to refine workflows, anticipating and preventing last-minute challenges.

Manage Time Effectively Set strict time limits for revisions to avoid over-editing and ensure deadlines are met. This helps maintain focus and prevents unnecessary tweaks that don’t add real value.

I've realised revisions themselves aren't always the problem - it's the panic. I always ask myself two things: 1. Was there some miscommunication? - Most revisions come because there is a mismatch between expectations of both parties. 2. Will the suggested change make the design better? Or is it just a preference? - putting forth points and rationale behind the design decisions with a clear mind really helps. Wouldn't let the design quality drop no matter the pressure. If nothing works, just pretend like the deadline doesn't exist :D no pressure = good quality design

Clarify Changes: I first ensure a clear understanding of the revision request—whether it's client feedback, a technical issue, or a strategy shift. Aligning stakeholders prevents unnecessary rework. Prioritize Impact: I assess which revisions are critical and which can be optimized without compromising quality. Streamline Collaboration: I facilitate quick syncs, maintain tight feedback loops, and use collaborative tools to avoid misalignment. Balance Speed & Quality: I focus on core user experience under tight deadlines, refining details iteratively. Manage Expectations: I communicate trade-offs transparently to maintain design integrity.

Revisions in Design is an inevitable aspect. Customers always wish to see the best in their design while the designer expects clearance in the first go most of the time if not all the time! Ultimately the design is supposed to become a commercial product and the customer has an upper hand in the approval process. Unexpected revisions is something that comes as a surprise in the early years of a designer's career but with experience, you can predict what can be likely revisions in days to come. The best thing would be to ensure that your initial design is a bit more accommodative to changes rather than making it conservative. After all unless it is commercialized, it will remain shelved as a piece of art!