Need help sparking new conversations in your graphic design community? Hypothetical scenario prompts can inspire creative thinking and encourage members to join in. Use these ready-made templates to make your discussions more fun, open-ended, and engaging.
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Hypothetical scenario posts unlock the imagination of your community members by inviting them to explore 'what if' situations. This method lowers the barrier to participation, since there are no right or wrong answers, just creative exploration. For graphic designers, these prompts tap into their love of innovation and visual problem-solving, encouraging unique perspectives and playful thinking.
By presenting scenarios that challenge norms or propose unusual dilemmas, you encourage members to think outside their typical workflows. These posts foster a sense of belonging, as everyone can share their ideas and learn from each other, regardless of experience level. Ultimately, these engaging prompts drive more comments, deeper discussion, and help members connect over shared creativity.
If you could redesign any famous logo, which one would you pick and why?
💡 Example: "If you could redesign any famous logo, which one would you pick and why? Ex: Nike, to try a new visual twist."
Imagine you have to design using only three colors for a year. Which colors do you choose?
💡 Example: "Imagine you have to design using only three colors for a year. Which colors do you choose? Ex: teal, coral, and black."
What if all fonts suddenly disappeared except Comic Sans? How would you cope?
💡 Example: "What if all fonts suddenly disappeared except Comic Sans? How would you cope? Ex: Embrace irony in all projects."
If you could collaborate with any historical artist on a modern design project, who would it be?
💡 Example: "If you could collaborate with any historical artist on a modern design project, who would it be? Ex: Bauhaus designers."
What would you do if a client insisted on clashing colors that hurt your eyes?
💡 Example: "What would you do if a client insisted on clashing colors that hurt your eyes? Ex: Suggest alternatives gently."
If your design tools vanished for a day, what analog method would you use instead?
💡 Example: "If your design tools vanished for a day, what analog method would you use instead? Ex: Collage with magazines."
Imagine a world where every poster must be animated. How would your design process change?
💡 Example: "Imagine a world where every poster must be animated. How would your design process change? Ex: Plan for motion from the start."
If you could only use one design software forever, which would you choose?
💡 Example: "If you could only use one design software forever, which would you choose? Ex: Adobe Illustrator."
What if clients always accepted your first draft? Would your process change?
💡 Example: "What if clients always accepted your first draft? Would your process change? Ex: Spend less time on revisions."
If you had to design a brand with only geometric shapes, what would you create?
💡 Example: "If you had to design a brand with only geometric shapes, what would you create? Ex: Logo made from triangles."
Imagine your designs had to be in black and white for a year. How would you adapt?
💡 Example: "Imagine your designs had to be in black and white for a year. How would you adapt? Ex: Focus on contrast and balance."
What would you do if you could only use stock images from the 90s?
💡 Example: "What would you do if you could only use stock images from the 90s? Ex: Embrace retro design themes."
If a client asked for a design inspired by your favorite movie, what would you create?
💡 Example: "If a client asked for a design inspired by your favorite movie, what would you create? Ex: Blade Runner color palette."
Suppose you had to teach design to aliens who have never seen art. Where would you start?
💡 Example: "Suppose you had to teach design to aliens who have never seen art. Where would you start? Ex: Shapes and color basics."
What if you could make any one design trend vanish forever? Which would you pick?
💡 Example: "What if you could make any one design trend vanish forever? Which would you pick? Ex: Overused gradients."
If you could turn your favorite childhood toy into a brand, what would it look like?
💡 Example: "If you could turn your favorite childhood toy into a brand, what would it look like? Ex: Lego-inspired modular layouts."
Imagine you have unlimited budget but only one day to design a campaign. What is your focus?
💡 Example: "Imagine you have unlimited budget but only one day to design a campaign. What is your focus? Ex: Hire a top photographer."
What would you do if you had to design a logo for a mythical creature?
💡 Example: "What would you do if you had to design a logo for a mythical creature? Ex: Phoenix with flame-inspired lines."
If you could bring back any vintage design style, which would it be?
💡 Example: "If you could bring back any vintage design style, which would it be? Ex: Swiss minimalism."
Imagine your next client is a time traveler from the 1800s. How would you approach their brief?
💡 Example: "Imagine your next client is a time traveler from the 1800s. How would you approach their brief? Ex: Explain color theory basics."
If you could only use hand-drawn elements for your next project, what would you design?
💡 Example: "If you could only use hand-drawn elements for your next project, what would you design? Ex: Illustrated website banners."
What if your computer's undo function stopped working? How would your workflow change?
💡 Example: "What if your computer's undo function stopped working? How would your workflow change? Ex: Save more versions."
Imagine you have to design a billboard for a product you dislike. How would you approach it?
💡 Example: "Imagine you have to design a billboard for a product you dislike. How would you approach it? Ex: Focus on audience needs."
If you woke up in a world where gradients are illegal, what would your designs look like?
💡 Example: "If you woke up in a world where gradients are illegal, what would your designs look like? Ex: Use bold flat colors."
What would you do if a client wanted a logo that broke every design rule?
💡 Example: "What would you do if a client wanted a logo that broke every design rule? Ex: Try to balance chaos with function."
If you could design a billboard in any city worldwide, where would it be and what would it say?
💡 Example: "If you could design a billboard in any city worldwide, where would it be and what would it say? Ex: Tokyo, 'Keep Creating.'"
Imagine you can only use your non-dominant hand for all designs this week. What challenges would you face?
💡 Example: "Imagine you can only use your non-dominant hand for all designs this week. What challenges would you face? Ex: Slower sketching."
If you had to create a brand identity using only recycled materials, what would you do?
💡 Example: "If you had to create a brand identity using only recycled materials, what would you do? Ex: Collaged logos from old newspapers."
What if you could bring a fictional device from a movie into your design workflow?
💡 Example: "What if you could bring a fictional device from a movie into your design workflow? Ex: Iron Man's holographic screens."
Suppose every project had a 24-hour deadline. What would your new workflow look like?
💡 Example: "Suppose every project had a 24-hour deadline. What would your new workflow look like? Ex: Faster prototyping."
If you could invent a new color, what would you name it and what emotion would it evoke?
💡 Example: "If you could invent a new color, what would you name it and what emotion would it evoke? Ex: 'Glowleaf,' evokes calm."
What would you do if all your design files were only accessible in print?
💡 Example: "What would you do if all your design files were only accessible in print? Ex: Scan and digitize them."
Imagine you must design for a brand that exists only in virtual reality. What would you create?
💡 Example: "Imagine you must design for a brand that exists only in virtual reality. What would you create? Ex: Interactive 3D logos."
If you could swap design skills with anyone in the group for a day, who would it be?
💡 Example: "If you could swap design skills with anyone in the group for a day, who would it be? Ex: The group motion designer."
What if you were asked to design an app for animals? Which animal, and how would you approach it?
💡 Example: "What if you were asked to design an app for animals? Which animal, and how would you approach it? Ex: A cat treat tracker."
Suppose every piece of your work had to include a hidden symbol. What would you use?
💡 Example: "Suppose every piece of your work had to include a hidden symbol. What would you use? Ex: A tiny star."
If you had to design a poster without using any text, how would you communicate the message?
💡 Example: "If you had to design a poster without using any text, how would you communicate the message? Ex: Use strong icons."
What would you do if you had to make a portfolio using only GIFs?
💡 Example: "What would you do if you had to make a portfolio using only GIFs? Ex: Animate key projects."
Imagine your favorite brand asked you to design their April Fools campaign. What is your idea?
💡 Example: "Imagine your favorite brand asked you to design their April Fools campaign. What is your idea? Ex: Rebrand Apple as 'Pear.'"
If you could only use open source tools for a year, what would be your go-to?
💡 Example: "If you could only use open source tools for a year, what would be your go-to? Ex: Inkscape."
Suppose all your designs had to be printed on fabric. How would your style adapt?
💡 Example: "Suppose all your designs had to be printed on fabric. How would your style adapt? Ex: Use bolder patterns."
Post one hypothetical scenario at a time to keep the conversation focused. Pin or feature the post for higher visibility, and invite all members to reply, not just your most active users. Encourage follow-up questions or friendly debates to keep the thread lively. Consider using scenario responses as inspiration for future challenges or community spotlights.
These templates are suitable for all platforms. Use images or simple graphics to accompany your scenario on visual-first platforms like Instagram or Facebook. For forums or Slack, bold the scenario question for clarity. On Discord or chat apps, tag active members to kickstart replies. Always adjust the format for platform-specific post length limits.
When designing hypothetical questions for your community, focus on scenarios such as 'A client keeps requesting endless minor revisions—how do you handle it?' or 'You realize too late that the project brief was incomplete—what steps do you take?' These resonate with designers who frequently face issues around feedback and project scope, sparking practical discussion and shared solutions.
Consider presenting scenarios like 'A client asks you to replicate a competitor’s logo style—what do you do?' or 'You’re offered exposure instead of payment for a project—how would you respond?' These topics are hotly debated in the design world and encourage members to reflect on and share their professional boundaries and values.
Pose scenarios such as 'You’re tasked with creating a complex vector illustration—do you use Illustrator or Figma, and why?' or 'A client needs rapid prototyping—how do you decide which tool is best?' This encourages members to share insights on tool selection based on workflow, project requirements, and team collaboration.
Create situations like 'A client insists on using clashing colors for brand identity—how do you advise them?' or 'You must choose between a classic serif or a trendy variable font for a high-end brand—what factors do you weigh?' These prompt nuanced conversations about design principles and practical decision-making in client projects.
Ask questions such as 'How would you display a project in your portfolio if an NDA restricts you from sharing details?' or 'A potential employer asks to see your design revisions process—how do you present your work?' This targets issues designers regularly navigate and encourages knowledge sharing on portfolio best practices.
Use prompts like 'A client doesn’t understand why vector files are needed for their logo—how do you explain it?' or 'You must convince a client that white space improves readability—what’s your approach?' These facilitate the exchange of strategies for translating complex design ideas into language clients understand.
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