30 weird and wonderful life lessons from mentoring over 300 designers
“Be the manager you wish you had when you were starting out.”
I understand that you want me to rewrite the given text to make it clearer. Here’s my attempt:
Years ago, I came across a powerful quote that inspired me to become a better leader. As I write this article on the brink of my 35th birthday, I can’t help but reflect on my journey so far. It has been a unique blend of luck, opportunities, and the privilege of mentoring and coaching others. Up until now, I have conducted 300 mentoring sessions on Adplist, but the real value lies in the relationships that I have built over the years through these engagements. These relationships are more meaningful to me than any traditional measure of success.
The field of design is constantly changing, and success in this industry is not just about skills, but also about how well you navigate complex professional situations. This article presents thirty actionable lessons that have been learned over a decade of experience, mentoring, and observation. These insights are intended to help new designers develop the tools they need to thrive in their careers for years to come. From developing resilience to embracing continuous learning, each lesson serves as a building block towards becoming a more effective and impactful designer.
1. Having your own point of view
In the world of design, it’s easy to get lost in the crowd by using common phrases and following standardised processes. To truly make an impact, I suggest that designers should develop a unique and personal perspective on how design can intersect with business objectives. To achieve this, critical thinking is key. It allows you to analyse and question the existing approach rather than just following it blindly. By articulating a distinctive and thoughtful approach, you can position yourself not just as a designer, but as a strategic thinker who adds tangible value to the business.
2. Invest in yourself because who else will
Invest in Your Personal Presence: Despite being naturally introverted, my active engagement in talks, podcasts, and articles often surprises many. It’s crucial to realise that building a robust online presence and a personal brand doesn’t necessarily require an extroverted personality. Focus on authenticity and offering genuine help to others. This approach not only aligns with my core values but has also amplified my voice in the field of service design. Early in my career, I recognised the need to invest in myself — to carve out a distinctive voice. Remember, investing in your brand is an investment in your distinctiveness and success.
3. Showcase Your Portfolio as a Reflection of Your Experience
Design merges the precision of science with the creativity of art. Over my career, having collaborated with 35 different brands and 7 agencies, I’ve learned that no portfolio is perfect — and it doesn’t need to be. What’s essential is that your portfolio demonstrates not just the breadth of your work but also your comprehension of the complete design process within your field. It should illustrate your journey, showcase your versatility, and highlight your strategic understanding, giving a holistic view of your capabilities and approach.
4. Prioritise Culture and Management Over Role
When you’re searching for a new design position, it’s easy to get caught up in the appeal of an impressive job title. However, it’s important to remember that the workplace culture and the quality of your manager will have the greatest impact on your daily satisfaction and long-term career growth. A supportive and enriching environment will encourage creativity, foster learning, and provide genuine job satisfaction. Look for leaders who inspire you and cultures that align with your values and methods. These factors will nourish your professional journey much more than the specifics of a role could.
5. Titles Are Cheap, Skills Are Valuable
In my conversations with designers across various levels and titles, I’ve observed that a fancy title often carries less weight than one might assume. For instance, I’ve seen Heads of Design with minimal management duties or influence within their departments. Conversely, some mid-level designers act as individual contributors yet handle significant responsibilities and partake in senior-level decision-making. This disparity highlights that real value lies in your skills and the actual responsibilities you manage, not merely in the title printed on your business card. Focus on developing the right skills to become a senior designer don’t focus on the title,
6. Strategic Design Is Essential, Not Optional
In today’s complex and rapidly evolving business environment, designers must be more than just creators of visually appealing products. They need to be strategic thinkers who can link design directly to business outcomes. This shift from being merely a practitioner to a strategic partner is critical. It ensures that design is not just seen as an aesthetic enhancement but as a fundamental driver of business success. By integrating strategic thinking into your skill set, you position yourself as indispensable and capable of influencing broader business decisions and leading innovation.
7. Embrace In-House Collaboration and External Insights
The field of design is constantly changing and requires not only creativity, but also a deep understanding of complex organisational structures. For designers who work in a company, it is essential to balance collaborating with colleagues within the organisation and seeking external perspectives. This approach not only fosters diverse thinking and innovation, but also helps to prevent the internal biases that can lead to an echo chamber effect. By engaging with external experts, you can challenge and broaden your perspective, ensuring that your design solutions are comprehensive, innovative, and well-rounded.
8. Hard Work Surpasses Talent When Talent Doesn’t Work Hard
Early on in my career, I used to feel overshadowed as I didn’t consider myself as talented as my peers. However, I soon realized that persistence and dedication can make up for a lack of inherent talent and lead to success. Hard work became my secret weapon, allowing me to meet and even exceed the challenges I faced. This realisation was a game-changer for me: the difference between having talent and achieving excellence often comes down to consistent effort. Everyone has unique abilities and strengths, but unless they are nurtured and put into practice, they remain untapped potential.
9. Networks, Attitude, and Skills — In That Order
The trajectory of your career is often less about what you know and more about who you know. One of the worst-kept secrets to advancing in the design industry is cultivating the right network. Opportunities frequently arise from connections that aren’t visible on job boards or company websites. Build your network with a mindset of mutual value exchange; focus on how you can assist others and contribute positively rather than simply seeking personal gain. While skills are essential and can always be developed over time, a proactive attitude and a strong network can open doors that skills alone might not.
10. Navigate Failure to Forge New Paths
The journey to success in design isn’t always through the front door — straightforward and direct; nor is it always through the back door — reserved for those with connections. Sometimes, it requires finding the third door — a creative, unconventional path that only emerges when traditional routes seem blocked. Embrace failure as part of your journey. Each setback provides a unique chance to pivot, learn, and discover alternative routes that might lead you to unexpected opportunities and a fulfilling design career. In design, as in life, the most rewarding paths often begin where others see dead ends.
11. Empower Yourself by Managing Up
Whether you’re an experienced or a junior designer, mastering the art of managing up is one of the most effective ways to showcase your value. This approach is not just about completing tasks efficiently; it’s about proactively comprehending and aligning with the objectives of your boss and your company. Start by communicating your progress and any challenges you encounter clearly, suggesting solutions where feasible. Take the initiative to learn about the broader business goals and integrate this understanding into your work. By demonstrating that you’re invested in not only your success but also the success of your team and the company, you establish yourself as an invaluable member of the organisation.
12. Design with Empathy for Everyone
Empathy lies at the heart of effective design. It’s about more than understanding user needs; it’s about genuinely connecting with the emotional experiences of those you design for. This means considering diverse perspectives and ensuring that your designs are inclusive, accessible, and truly beneficial to all users. Reflect on how your work affects others, not just in immediate ways but in its broader social impact. Cultivating empathy allows you to create solutions that are not only functional and aesthetically pleasing but also deeply resonant with your audience, fostering a more profound connection and a lasting impact.
13. Master Storytelling to Amplify Your Design Impact
Every designer needs to be a proficient storyteller. They must be capable of crafting an engaging narrative that connects with both fellow designers and non-designers on an intellectual and emotional level. Storytelling goes beyond the presentation of your designs. It is a potent tool that explains your designs’ reasons and contextualises your work within larger business and user experience objectives. By articulating the problems you solve, the decisions you take, and the impact of these choices, you help stakeholders visualise the advantages and potential of your designs. Mastery of this skill guarantees that your work is not only seen but it’s also understood and appreciated.
14. Enhance Others’ Lives Through Design and Empowerment
As a designer, your ultimate goal should be to go beyond just aesthetics and strive to make a tangible improvement in people’s lives. Whether you are simplifying project details for your colleagues or refining a user interface to make it more intuitive, each decision you make should aim to reduce complexity and enhance functionality. You should always consider how your work equips people with the tools, skills, and mindsets they need to succeed. Empowering others is not just about providing resources; it’s about crafting experiences that enable autonomy, efficiency, and satisfaction. Your role as a designer is to be a facilitator of positive change, quietly empowering individuals from behind the scenes.
15. Create a Trailer, Not the Full Movie
Many designers face the challenge of presenting their portfolios effectively. During my mentoring sessions, I’ve observed that portfolios often resemble detailed case studies rather than showcases of the designer’s skills. Remember, recruiters and hiring managers typically lack the time to delve into lengthy project descriptions. Think of your portfolio as a movie trailer, not the entire film. A trailer efficiently captures the essence of the story within 30 seconds to 2 minutes, enticing the audience without revealing all the details. Apply this principle to your portfolio by highlighting your skills and personality succinctly. The goal is to spark interest and curiosity, encouraging viewers to engage further without overwhelming them with too much information.
16. Master the Essentials, Not Everything
The array of design tools available today can be overwhelming, especially for those just starting their careers from Fimga, Adobe, Miro, Theydo, etc. While it’s beneficial to have a basic understanding of popular tools, it’s not necessary to master every one of them initially. Focus on becoming proficient with one or two key tools that are most relevant to your area of design. This approach makes your learning curve manageable and allows you to develop deep expertise that can set you apart early on. As you progress, you can gradually expand your toolkit based on the demands of specific projects and roles.
17. Never Too Old to Learn and Grow
The design industry is dynamic and fiercely competitive. Speaking from experience, I assure aspiring designers that the opportunities for growth are boundless. Regardless of your career stage, continually developing your skills is not just beneficial — it’s essential. In a field where trends and technologies evolve rapidly, failing to enhance your abilities means losing ground to those who do. Embrace lifelong learning as a cornerstone of your professional journey to maintain and sharpen your competitive edge.
18. Cultivate a Strong Point of View
Developing a strategic mindset as a designer doesn’t happen overnight. It is essential to actively cultivate your point of view. Engage in writing, immerse yourself in diverse reading materials, and seize opportunities for public speaking whenever possible. These activities refine your storytelling skills and deepen your thinking, enabling you to articulate your design philosophy more effectively. Such efforts enhance your credibility and enrich your capacity to influence and lead within the design community.
19. Prioritize Your Career Over Organisational Loyalty
While loyalty to an employer is commendable, it’s important to remember that a job is fundamentally a business transaction. Organisations are not families; they are structures where you exchange your time and skills for compensation. As a designer passionate about your craft, focus on cultivating your career. Invest in coaching, skill development, and networking that extends beyond your current workplace. This approach enhances your capabilities and ensures your professional viability and success in the ever-evolving design landscape.
20. Expect the Unexpected: Prepare Your Plan B
Life, much like any career, is a rollercoaster filled with highs and lows. Often, the road to success is paved with unspoken challenges and setbacks. Recognise life’s unpredictability requires a contingency plan, especially in your professional journey. Embrace the highs, learn from the lows, and treat everyone with kindness — networks are invaluable, and you never know when paths might cross again. Always have a Plan B ready, a strategy to pivot or adapt when things are unexpected. This resilience will secure your career’s longevity and enrich your experiences along the way.
21. Find Excitement in Every Role
If you feel unfulfilled in your job, before making any hasty decisions, take a moment to consider what aspects of the job have the potential to bring you joy. Many professionals feel dissatisfied in the early stages of a new job, often due to unmet expectations. However, unless your job is causing you daily distress, it’s worth considering ways to enhance your experience in your current role. Look for opportunities to inject excitement and passion into your work. If you do decide to resign, it is crucial to have a solid backup plan in place. With patience and creativity, even the dullest jobs can be transformed into springboards for more thrilling opportunities.
22. Prioritize Practice Over Theory
In the rapidly evolving field of design, the ability to apply what you learn is often more valuable than theoretical knowledge alone. While formal education like university has its place, particularly for foundational knowledge and theoretical depth, the real-world application of design skills can frequently be honed through alternative learning paths such as bootcamps and online tutorials. These resources are not only more accessible but also highly focused on practical skills. The key is to continuously apply and refine these skills in real job settings, allowing you to (un-)learn and adapt rather than merely absorb information. Embrace hands-on experiences that challenge you to implement your knowledge effectively and creatively.
23. Regularly Update Your Portfolio and Document Projects
Maintaining an updated portfolio is crucial for designers. It’s not only a way to showcase your most recent and relevant work but also reflects your growth and adaptability in the field. You should consistently document your projects as they progress; this practice not only helps in refining your portfolio but also serves as a valuable tool for self-reflection and professional development. When putting together your portfolio, make sure to include a mix of successes and challenges, providing a narrative that demonstrates your problem-solving skills and creativity. By regularly updating your portfolio, you ensure that it remains dynamic and representative of your full capabilities, making it a powerful tool for career advancement.
24. Think Two Roles Ahead: Learn from Those Ahead of You
Planning your career isn’t just about the next step; it’s about looking two steps ahead. This proactive approach was a lesson I learned during my undergraduate years, where I gained insights from students in more advanced stages of their education. Apply this strategy in your professional life by seeking roles that not only fit your current skills but also serve as stepping stones towards where you want to be. Surround yourself with mentors and colleagues who are further along in their careers. This not only keeps you motivated but also broadens your understanding of possible career trajectories and the skills needed to achieve them.
25. Embrace and Celebrate Your Uniqueness
Being different is not just acceptable; it’s your superpower. It’s natural to feel misunderstood initially — embrace that feeling. I’ve come to own my identity as a large, black man with long hair who is creative, empathetic, dyslexic, and introverted, all with a big smile. Trying to conform only diluted what made me unique. Accepting and celebrating my differences has not only made me memorable but also attracted the kind of people I want in my professional and personal circles. Remember, it’s not about appealing to everyone. Being true to yourself helps you stand out, avoid blandness, and connect genuinely with those who appreciate what you uniquely offer.
26. Slow Is Smooth, Smooth Is Fast
In the rush to achieve goals — be it a promotion, purchasing a home, or finding a partner — it’s essential to pace yourself. Slowing down allows you to appreciate the journey and engage more deeply with the process, which can lead to faster, more sustainable success in the long run. I’ve encountered many young, wealthy, and successful individuals, and the most fulfilled among them understand that haste often leads to mistakes or missed opportunities. By taking a measured approach, you ensure that your progress is both smooth and steady, ultimately leading to more effective and satisfying outcomes.
27. Passion and Practicality: Balancing Dreams and Reality
While pursuing a career driven by passion is becoming increasingly popular, it’s crucial to acknowledge that passion alone may not always pay the bills. Committing to work that you love often requires substantial effort and time before it becomes financially sustainable. The Japanese concept of Ikigai — finding joy, fulfillment, and balance in life through work that is meaningful — can guide us. It’s essential to strike a balance between doing what you love and meeting your practical needs. This balance ensures that your career not only satisfies your soul but also sustains your livelihood.
28. Surround Yourself with Excellence
There’s an old saying, “Game recognizes game,” which holds true in every aspect of life, including professional environments. The difference between those who excel and those who do not often comes down to the company they keep. While it’s said that ‘B’ students have more fun, don’t underestimate the value of surrounding yourself with individuals who are smarter and more experienced. These interactions push you to grow and learn, enriching your understanding and capabilities. Even if you feel like an outsider among them, aim to excel — mediocrity is rarely celebrated or sought after in any field. Striving to be the best not only elevates your own standards but also makes you a magnet for opportunities and professional relationships.
29. Share the Love and Create a Ripple Effect
We all start our careers somewhere, and some benefit from more opportunities early on than others. I’ve been fortunate to be at the right place at the right time, seizing every chance that came my way. Along this journey, a handful of individuals have provided invaluable support, wisdom, and connections that have been instrumental in my success. While it’s impossible to repay them directly for their generosity, I feel a strong responsibility to pay it forward to the next generation of designers. I encourage everyone I mentor to continue this legacy of support once they find their own success, thereby perpetuating a never-ending ripple effect of mentorship and growth within our community.
30. Embrace and Learn from Failure
Understanding the lessons from past failures is crucial in any profession, including design. Document both your successes and your failures to create a rich repository of experiences to learn from. This record not only helps you avoid repeating the same mistakes but also equips you to guide others. Whether you’re struggling to land the right job or recovering from a project setback, adopting a mindset that values curiosity and learning from failures is essential. Embrace these experiences as opportunities for growth and share your insights to help others navigate similar challenges. This approach not only enhances your resilience but also establishes you as a thoughtful and resourceful professional.
The journey through design isn’t just about harnessing creativity and mastering tools — it’s about weaving the fabric of your career with threads of resilience, empathy, and foresight. Each lesson shared here is a testament to the multifaceted nature of growth in the design world. From embracing your unique qualities to the pragmatic balance of passion and practicality, these principles aren’t just strategies; they are lifelines that can guide young designers through the tumultuous seas of their careers.
As we venture forward, remember that the design industry thrives on continuous learning and the generous exchange of knowledge. It’s about more than individual success; it’s about building a community that uplifts every member, creating a legacy of mentorship and support that outlives temporary trends. Let’s strive to not only be successful designers but also stewards of a culture that champions innovation, inclusivity, and, most importantly, humanity.
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