Perfection kills creativity but curiosity kills perfection

Venkadakrishnan Paranjothi
2 min readDec 17, 2024

--

Embracing Imperfection: How I Learned Creativity Through Action

As an aspiring designer, I’ve come to understand that the pursuit of perfection can often stifle creativity. Lately, I’ve noticed a common trend: many people feel the need to understand every detail of a system before they even begin working with it. While this approach might seem logical, it can actually hinder progress and lead to procrastination.

Take learning variables in Figma, for example. Instead of diving into a project to explore how they work, some might spend hours – or even days – watching countless tutorials to master the concept beforehand. However, without a concrete purpose to anchor your learning, this approach often results in wasted time and unproductive cycles. I know this because I’ve been there.

What worked for me was adopting a project-driven approach. Start with a clear purpose – a project that demands the skill you want to learn. As you work through it, the need to solve real problems will naturally guide your learning. Once you’ve grasped the basics of how a system functions, take the next step: play with it, break it, and learn through trial and error. Mistakes, after all, are some of the best teachers. The lessons you learn while troubleshooting tend to stick with you, creating a deeper understanding of the skill.

It’s much like learning to swim. You won’t learn by standing on the edge of the pool, watching others. You need to jump in. That said, you also need to do so within your comfort zone – start in a swimming pool, not a lake or the ocean. This balance of action and preparation creates the ideal environment for growth.

As designers, this principle extends beyond just tools and systems. To solve problems creatively, we must cultivate sensitivity and curiosity. Where others might say, “That’s just the way it is,” we must ask, “Why is it that way? Can it be improved?” Noticing the unnoticed and questioning the status quo are essential to unlocking creativity and effectively addressing design challenges.

In the end, creativity thrives on action, curiosity, and the willingness to embrace imperfection. Instead of striving to know everything upfront, let the process of exploration guide you. Dive in, experiment, and let the mistakes you make become stepping stones toward mastery.

--

--

Venkadakrishnan Paranjothi
Venkadakrishnan Paranjothi

Written by Venkadakrishnan Paranjothi

Passionate Designer on a Mission to Create Positive Impact Through Design ✨ | Exploring the Beauty of Art and Functionality | Let's Craft the Future Together 🎨

No responses yet