The first thing I do on a new project isn't open Figma. It's understand the business. What they're selling, who's buying it, where it's breaking down, and what's already been tried. Only then do I start asking the design questions.

It sounds obvious. It isn't common.

Most design projects go sideways in the first two weeks. Not because the designer isn't skilled. Because they moved to solutions before the problem was fully understood. I've made that mistake. I know exactly what it looks like: the room sits back from the table, the recommendations land like a list of criticisms, and the relationship starts with friction it never fully recovers from.

A focused conversation at the start saves weeks of revision later. That's not a phase. It's just how good work begins. Most projects are moving within the first week.