2. Balance Intake vs. Output<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
One of the major benefits of being a designer in this age is the wealth of inspiration we have at our fingertips. Places like Behance, Dribbble, From Up North, FWA, Awwwards, etc. all showcase some of the best design work in the world \u2014 updated and refreshed by the minute. But if we spend a disproportionate amount of time intaking others\u2019 work, we aren\u2019t really learning and growing. That happens by doing; trying new things, techniques, styles, and processes. Look at what the best in the world are doing; then go create, work hard, and strive to get there. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n This seems obvious, but whatever hopes, ambitions, and big hairy audacious dreams you may have for your career will always stay floating out there in the future if you don\u2019t roll your sleeves up and hone your skill every day. Growth is never-ending, software is ever-evolving, and client needs are always shifting. Find one thing, and strive to do it better than anyone else in the world. If you\u2019re going to sell the sizzle, you better bring the steak.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Convention is usually in place because it worked for someone, or perhaps a group of people, for a time. It feels safe and predictable. But if you\u2019re not careful, it\u2019s exactly what will cause you to end up looking and feeling and talking like everyone else. At times, embrace it. But there must be times where you question it, challenge the status quo, and take a creative risk by trying something new. It\u2019s the only path to innovation.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n As designers, we can master the deliverables pretty quickly. Output can be memorized. But what makes something truly distinct in the marketplace is the story behind the product. To emotionally engage people \u2014 and if you want to influence them you must reach them on an emotional level \u2014 craft a story to bring your <\/span>Why<\/span><\/i> to life. People don\u2019t just buy products. They buy what the product makes them feel. <\/span>Why<\/span><\/i> adds girth to your <\/span>What<\/span><\/i>. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n This is related to #2, but it\u2019s important to focus on the process of doing, not just the polished end product. People can say they want to be anything, but if they don\u2019t enjoy and embrace the process of becoming that thing, they\u2019ll never be it. Inspiration is fleeting \u2014 it ebbs and flows depending on your mood. But if you go to work and get things done, despite your mood or how inspired you may feel, over time that\u2019s what wins the day.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Focus is the antidote to mediocrity. If you want to be great at something, it requires all the focus you can give it. This means saying no to a lot of things so you can say yes to a few. It means choosing your corner and pouring everything you have into dominating it. But it\u2019s important to see it within the big picture of the business workplace. Know the context in which your skills thrive, which other skills they overlap, and how all the pieces are connected and working together. If you\u2019re a designer, you don\u2019t have to know how to code. But you have to know what code can and can\u2019t do, as well as how to talk with developers. Understanding the various roles in the process gives you a stronger foundation for your superpower.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n As creative-type people, we all naturally have an idea in our heads of the perfect project. We think about how if the stars aligned, with the right client and audience and budget, we could create the greatest design the world has ever known. But it\u2019s actually our job to take that approach with every single project. Whatever you\u2019re working on is the most important project. Because for someone it is. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n “Here is one of the few effective keys to the design problem \u2014 the ability of the designer to recognize as many of the constraints as possible \u2014 his willingness and enthusiasm for working within these constraints. Constraints of price, of size, of strength, of balance, of surface, of time and so forth.” \u2013 Charles Eames<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re following the rules of this post, every project will have inherent constraints. Success hinges on our ability to create within them. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n I am continually amazed at the warmth, openness, and friendliness of the design community. I think we all realize that what we do, day in and day out, is difficult and nuanced. Sometimes our work takes a beating, and even though we know it\u2019s not personal, at times it can feel like it. Plus, there\u2019s not one way to design that\u2019s right for everyone. We each have our own eye, process, stylistic preferences, skill level, client base, etc. that sharing what we know with each behooves both parties. We\u2019re on the same team. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n I’ll leave you with a final thought: Being a designer is a blessing. We get to play with color, shapes, type, and imagery to create things for people, and they pay us! That\u2019s pretty incredible. So don\u2019t lose sight of it, enjoy the hustle, and grow patiently. Hopefully, these 10 things help you on your journey.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Some quick tips every designer should take to heart. \t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":141083,"template":"","resource-topic":[1396],"resource-role":[1397],"resource-type":[916],"class_list":["post-139654","resource","type-resource","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"yoast_head":"\n![\"Two](\"https:\/\/getflywheel.com\/layout\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/web-design-prices-5-784x523.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n3. Master your Craft<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
4. Question Convention<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
5. Know the Why, Not Just the What<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
6. Habits Trump Inspiration<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
7. Focus and Specialize, but Respect Peripheral Skills<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
8. Swing for the Fence. Every Time<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"Two](\"https:\/\/getflywheel.com\/layout\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/keep-agency-afloat-how-to-4-784x523.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n9. Embrace Constraints<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
10. We\u2019re in this Together<\/h3>\n\n\n\n