5 honest lessons I’ve learnt as a multidisciplinary designer so far
Ask for help
Coming through the ranks as a young professional always comes with its highs and lows, however, learning was my best ally when it came to progressing as a designer, whether good or bad. I found the best lessons I learnt were usually in adversity when I faced some form of a challenge, which in turn led to me asking for help from my superiors.
Asking for help is often confused with being a weakness, however it is instead a powerful trait to have as a designer. This is because it allows you to open the door to criticism allowing you to respond in a proactive way, allowing you to better yourself and your work.
Think who you want to be as a designer
When I graduated from university, I had this grand vision in mind of how my career would go, and in all honesty it's not gone to plan in the best possible way. Combine this with the global turmoil of the past few years – I needed to adapt. But in all fairness, the flipside of that was that it allowed me to think outside the box and deeper as to what kind of designer i wanted to be. Adapting to life post-pandemic allowed me to think more creatively and more objectively, allowing me to really channel my creativity to be used in a positive light whether personally or professionally.
Remote isn't always best
To begin, the appeal of working from home was always something that I liked being able to get a balance between spending time at home and in the studio. However, I quickly realised that the ability to collaborate and create with my studio peers only existed in an effective way when we were all in the studio together. We could chat, have a laugh and design together where that creative community feel really came together. I often found that the social experience can be as valuable as the projects and work itself, allowing me to fully integrate with my team.
Celebrate your achievements
Working in a fast-pace creative environment, it is easy to get down on it and overwhelmed when we slip up, and very often these cast a shadow over our achievements as they’re perceived to be more taxing. However, I can’t stress it enough to back yourself and congratulate yourself on the great work you know you can produce as a designer. Moreover, achievements can come in different forms, for example executing a brief to perfection is amazing, however, overcoming a challenge you’ve been facing is in my opinion an even greater achievement.
Remember to rest
It’s very easy to get settled down into your routine, and for me, as im sure for others also - I like my routine. However, it's important to remember to be kind to yourself and rest both mentally and physically. Life inside and outside of work is taxing, and we’re not superheroes. Remembering to ensure I get plentiful amounts of rest allows me to work better and more creatively, meaning I could give 100% to my projects.
