Sandra Lopes — August 23, 2018 If you could travel back in time and talk to yourself, what would you say? This is a great analytical exercise. As we evolve as designers we accumulate knowledge and seldom do we have the time to reflect on the small changes that accompany that growth. But looking back can give us great insights.
I have 10 advices that I would give to the designer that I was 10 years ago. I’m sharing those with you in this article.
The days tend to look smaller and smaller over the years (am I the only one with this feeling?). So my advice is to absorb what surrounds you constantly. Doesn’t need to be in super sonic mode! Absorb everything calmly, take the time to analyse and create memories. A great designer is a passionate observer of the world.
Don’t waste time with bad music or shallow talks. Travel and read a lot. As days get “shorter” it is good to have this bundle of ideas at hand. They allow you to get to the information you need faster, which in itself allows you to reach new destinations more effectively. These are the methods that ensure that you stay young and updated.
Procrastination is dangerous – it’s easy for us to get distracted. You can easily loose yourself in that extensive phone conversation or that research that drives us to another irrelevant topic.
Defining a method where you structure projects and tasks (dissecting the project paths and turning them to topics) is fundamental to reduce anxiety and fight against procrastination. Write down all the requests! It’s so much easier when we don’t put pressure on our memory with tasks and worries. Pass them to an agenda to free space for your creativeness.
Most times we think we are not ready yet, that we need to research more, or that the project is not tuned in to its maximum potentiality. Truth is, most of the times, once we have another look at a project we can come up with new ways to improve it – it’s part of our growing process.
The moment we close a project must have a clear definition. We bother ourselves much more often than we think because we fear the final result. In order to avoid eternal projects – that do not allow us to pursue new adventures – we must have the lucidity and the transparency to define clear goals with our clients. And to make sure that when we perceive that the goal has been reached, with the available resources and with the analysis and methods we consider most effective, the race has finished and we can (and should) move on.
As years go by we absorb and develop new views of the world and those reflect on the ways we approach projects. And that’s so good, it’s called evolution.
It’s not easy but sometimes we have to say “no.” Days have limited hours, just like our capabilities. To ensure that we are aiming at our best in everything we do, one can not keep accepting projects beyond our capabilities. Planning days and projects wisely ensures that we can include moments to rest. At the end of the day, we are only humans so take care of yourself, take care of your health and relationships (such as family and friends) – that’s the basic formula to have a healthy mind that sparkles creativity.
Although they seem spontaneous, epiphanies require structuring and mental exercises. It’s the train of thoughts and ideas that allows us to reach that miraculous final insight that will unveil the whole concept. There are some tools that you can use to develop methods: good research of graphical references, visit strategic locations that inspire you, select books that can drive your creative process, share ideas and look for good conversations. Do not underestimate the power of a good conversation.
Do not be afraid to share your ideas and doubts. Being able to work as a team is a bless. Choose as partners people who can reconcile responsibility with positivism and creativity. And most importantly, that share the same values. Constraints, competition and conflicts are mostly huge consumers of time and energy (making us stupid!). Work to remove them as they will only block your success.
Always look for transparent and healthy relationships with your clients. As in personal relationships, move away from toxic connections in which respect is not mutual: frustrations will only pile up and harm you. This type of customers only make you an insecure professional and do not allow you to monetize your time efficiently. Abandoning this kind of relationship involves abandoning even those who can afford it better. In this case, there is no money that pays the focus, the stability and the freedom to be creative and productive.
As designers we are creative people, we like the abstract and conceptual world. Our connection with the financial and business world is not usually spontaneous and natural. This is usually a demanding topic, but it will have to be well defined and analysed. Merging business insights into your design everyday practice will bring huge value to your clients!
Rigorously determine your costs and value your work based on your experience, productivity, resources, market and what you bring to the table with your clients. The fact that we enjoy what we do is no reason to make our product less valuable. Take the lead!
We know there are bills to pay at the end of the month and sometimes we have to accept some briefings that we do not identify ourselves with. Manage these questions wisely, avoid accepting projects which you do not believe in (you will hardly do a good job) and never accept projects that go against what you hold dearly. Decline politely, you do not have to explain everything. You will be grateful for this.
The “Everests” of yesterday become today’s routine… and with lucidity, organisation and focus, end up being overtaken and the course appreciated. It’s the great advantage of enjoying what you do: climbing has to be done with pleasure. Be confident in your journey and work.
Self-esteem is the basis for all the previous 9 points. Don’t be afraid to say that you cannot or do not know how to do something. Even if you can’t, you have the tools to learn it and succeed. Your self-esteem must guarantee healthy relations with clients and team, that you understand your true value and, above all, that you stand by your principles.
Now I’m curious to know: what 10 advices will the future me, 10 years from now, give to the current designer?
I’ll bet one – Have fun while you do it!
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