I came across a blog article written by Rob Bowen of My Ink Blog entitled "Measuring Up: Are You a Good Designer or A Great One?" This was somewhat of a wake up call to me as a designer. When I used to work for a big company, there was either little or no room to explore and be creative. There were always rules and standards each client had in regards to their artwork. For those who don't know, I started my design career working in the fashion industry. Fashion can be outrageously creative, but one has to also follow the trend. After weeks of designing in a certain style, under the crunch of deadlines, the "trend" becomes SO last season fairly quick! One good thing about repeating a design trend is that your skills in technique grow. For example, remember that Ed Hardy, tattoo looking art style? For a time, that became the trend. Clients wanted "Ed Hardy-esque" artwork. As a result, my skills in recreating a tattooed ink design became pretty sharp. After a while, I found myself designing in ways that did not stimulate my creative drive. This article made me realize that in order to be a great designer, you have to work at it, internally. Push yourself to become better and to not be stuck in the cookie cutter design world.
A few key points of this article really hit home:
Keep Moving Forward
Never be satisfied with where you are at in design. It is always changing and you should be growing along with it. You should effectively never stop learning. Keep challenging yourself to learn and do more, never let your skills and talent stagnate.
Be A Leader, Not A Follower
Guide your clients to the right design choices do not let them lead you to a subpar, phoned-in performance. Yes, listen to their suggestions and know what they want, but find the best way to give it to them without compromising your talent or reputation.
Try To Set Trends, Not Be A Slave To Them
Design trends come and go almost with the seasons, and there is no shame in designing in that theme, especially if you never have before, but do not let these whims become your only bearing for what to do. Think outside the proverbial box, and find new directions to veer off in.
Critical Thinking Accepted
The design community is available to garner valuable feedback and insight regarding your work, but you have to know how to take and use constructive criticism and not let it bother or deter you. Learn to identify true criticism from callous comments intended merely to upset you, and this will be easier to do.
Collaborate, A Great Way To Reset The bar
Working with others in the community is another invaluable tool you have at your design disposal for sure. This always challenges you to step it up a notch and push yourself more so than working with a client on a project can. This can also be a fun way to learn new things from other designers, good or great.
Stay Inspired
One thing that separates the goods from the greats is passion. Our passion keeps us inspired as long as we keep it fed and the flame fanned so it does not burn out. Always turn to new avenues to find inspiration so that your creative mind stays revitalized, and your perspective fresh.
Since I have started Blushing Pearl, I found that I am really pushing the envelope. Stationery design is a different area of design that I need to adjust to. Letterpress printing is something entirely challenging and disciplinary. I have only been printing for about 6 months. I set my standards pretty high because of what I have been doing design-wise for the past 7 years. I have to understand that this is a new endeavor and discouraging emotions, troubleshooting headaches, difficult client interactions, are all a part of the growing process. In effect, this challenge is pushing me extra hard and is helping me grow as a designer. In fact, I am even creating my own website... from scratch! Something I probably would never have done if it not for the much needed update of my business.
