Anyone else feel like they are not a good designer?
When we look at the work of other designers after years and years of skill and experience, we call them talented. Their remarkable undertakings capture our attention, and it may appear that this has always been the case.
I've been a professional designer for over 13 years, and I still look at my work and wonder, "Is this trash?"
I occasionally analyze the work of even more experienced designers (20 years or more), and their work also has issues! Is this what makes us bad designers? Absolutely not! One of the things I like about it is that it is a lifelong learning process.
It took several years of working before I felt competent; part of that was figuring out my style, what I'm good at (design systems, interactions, and data-heavy UI), and what types of work I should delegate (branding, research, and so on). Getting to know oneself is an ongoing process that can take years.
However, some designers are worse than the rest of the pack. I've worked with experienced designers with no business in this industry.
After tens of years of expertise, they can't correctly comprehend the requirements of a brief, can't manage their time, and aren't proficient with the software. Their work is filled with errors or entirely misses the target in terms of meaning. Those are frequently the most confident designers!
But let me tell you this: A good designer is not the one who designs beautiful, usable, and impressive interfaces. The main difference that sets apart a good designer from a bad one is the mindset.
Here are some major differences between a good designer and a bad one:
Good designers Bad designers Listen to everyone from decision-makers, team members & stakeholders. Talk, judge and suggest solutions all the time. Question the status quo Follow the rule of “ We’ve always done it this way”. Dig deep to find out real problems and needs. Try to fix symptoms only. Take time to ask about what is missing. Follow their assumptions. Are always uncertain about their understanding & designs. Are always certain about their work. Have many solutions & ideas. Have only one idea to invest their time & effort to convince others with. Try always to find issues & flaws in their work. Always defend their work. Love working with others. Love to work alone. Have something to learn from anyone they meet. Already know everything. Revisit their thoughts. Try to confirm their thoughts. Love to be wrong. Love to be always right. Seek feedback. Seek praise. Lead. Follow.
If you’re humble and hungry to learn and improve you will be great.
Becoming a great designer — like becoming great at anything — takes a lot of practice, hard work and dedication.
Many people claim, "I love design, but I can't be a designer because I don't have the talent." Becoming a designer appears limited to a small set of people with a particular ability. After all, isn't that the definition of talent?
However, it sounds like an excellent reason not to try hard. One of the reasons is that we are constantly comparing ourselves to others.
When we look at the work of other designers after years and years of skill and experience, we call them talented. Their remarkable undertakings capture our attention, and it may appear that this has always been the case.
But here's a little secret: every designer started out as an amateur. Everybody had to begin somewhere. Nobody becomes a brilliant designer by accident. However, we rarely see the complete path and improvement. When outstanding people reach the top, we notice them.
I've never considered myself a brilliant designer, and I don't think I'm even halfway there, but I've recently noticed an increase in feedback describing me as a "talented designer."
It's fascinating that no one suggested I had talent ten years ago. Wouldn't people have noticed my exceptional skills from the start if I had them?
I recall receiving criticism on one of my earliest designs that advised me to focus on something else because the design didn't seem to be my thing.
Consider how many of us could be discouraged from pursuing a profession as a designer after hearing such criticism from someone whose opinion we appreciate, especially if we buy the idea that becoming a designer requires a specific ability.
However, negative feedback has always motivated me. Therefore I'm grateful to that individual today.
I pushed myself too hard to be a designer. I had to work endless hours to get to where I am today, and I'm still not even close to where I'd like to be.
I worked hard and took on a lot of projects so that I could practice more and more.
Stop using "I have no talent" as an excuse
I wrote this post to inspire you. Give it a shot if you like the design. Don't use "I have no talent" as an excuse.
Design is not a magic wand. Design is a set of guidelines we use to make our work visually appealing to the human eye. Design is 50% science and only 50% art. A skilled designer listens more than he talks. A competent designer is more of a watcher than a performer.
I feel like a liar and have let everyone down. I have no unique ability, but I dream of someday becoming a great designer.