Adapting throughout my design career
Life as a designer: reflecting back on the building blocks that have resulted to a passion-lead career within the design industry.
Recently I randomly crossed paths with an old university colleague, who amongst the normal chit-chat asked me:
“So, what do you do for a living?”
For one, I never know how to answer this — as the design industry is constantly evolving; the digital world, new technology, new ways of working, new situations (i.e. Covid accelerating digital commerce / forcing businesses to have an online presence and so on).
I kept it fairly top level and replied “I work in design”.
She was shocked. In a good way.
In awe would be a better way to describe it.
Because I was one of a handful that actually followed through from university and go on to work within the industry that I studied in.
Only then did it kinda dawn on me.
Because it’s not something you would think about regularly.
We just tend to get on with it. With living.
Being an over-thinker, this moment forced me to dive into some self reflection.
I’ve been head down, grinding away.
For a long time.
For over 15 years.
I’ve seen the internet come into existence. Pre-Google and Facebook. When Altavista and Yahoo were the big chip players.
When websites were basic HTML text on a screen.
When having a customised Myspace page was all the rage.
When Flash websites meant you can tween things in and off the screen (Game changer)
Dial-Up. Napster. Facebook. Blogging. Google. Responsive Designs. And so on…
I really do love what I do for a living.
From the off I didn’t comprise on that goal or passion for being creative.
There were no Plan B’s.
I did question it at times but my perseverance meant I stuck with it.
Looking back now I’m so grateful.
Back in school I never knew what I wanted to do or ‘specialise’ in.
I went with an open mind into everything and picked what I enjoyed doing the most, regardless of difficulty.
Or when forced to ‘select one’.
I knew I liked being creative in different ways, studying the human body, the mind.
I didn’t like being boxed in to just one.
So I did them all.
Art. Graphic Design. Technical Drawing. Motion. Digital (or Multi-media design as it was called in the 00's). Biology. Psychology.
In hindsight they fused together to contribute to how I design today, and what the industry now calls ‘User Centered Design’.
University educated me with tools and methodologies for an industry that was ever changing. So for the most part what I spent studying for over 5 years essentially got thrown out the window when I started my first actual design role.
Again in hindsight, it wasn’t a waste.
The key lesson here was how quick I had to adapt.
A lesson that’s fundamental throughout any career (or life in general) once presented with changes or challenges.
“You must Improvise. Adapt. And Overcome.” Conor Mcgregor
I’m ever so fortunate that I work in a career that I love and enjoy. For the most part it’s never felt like “work”. More like I’m providing a service that is helping other people / companies fulfil a vision.
I simply just focussed on me: improving my craft, and design execution.
How I did that was an approach of:
1. Learning:
As many different styles to designs as possible. Exploring. Experimenting. Graphic Design. Brand. Print. Digital. UX. UI. Even coding. I soaked up like a sponge. As well as reading as much as possible.
2. Adapting
Staying current, knowing what is useful, what is not and applying my own. Being empathic to others. Being open to the way you problem solve. Taking data and insight into consideration where possible. But also going into the unknown.
3. Designing with passion; especially in the detail
Be proud of what you do, and do it with heart. It’s all or nothing. But know when to be passionate and when to be precious. Know when / how to take feedback and when to stand your ground.
The by-product of this is not only having a growth mindset: learning, adapting and enjoying what you do, but also getting paid to create and fulfil a service to others. Especially on projects where you know the outcome will directly impact users greatly.
I get to be empathetic; looking at things from others perspective.
I get to problem solve.
I get to tell stories.
I get to make the digital world (and the world itself) a better place one website / app / product at a time.
Don’t get me wrong, the journey hasn’t come without its fair share of challenges and is far from over.
There is still a ton of stuff I want to achieve and learn.
But in the midst of day-to-day work and grind, I’m just taking this moment to peak my head up.
Breathe.
And look back at how far I’ve come.
“If you don’t know where you’ve come from, you don’t know where you’re going…” — Maya Angelou
There’s a new breed of designers; breaking the barriers of mediocrity and stepping up to the field.
There’s more effort being used to tackle bigger problems with “design thinking” such as accessibility and sustainability, as well as more becoming more user or human centric.
The UX field is expanding to no-end.
More corporations are employing and embracing design leaders having a seat at the table.
Recognising the value.
The evolution of design is on the edge of changing once again; who knows if we go full-circle back to skeuomorphic designs or embrace a new hybrid path of Neumorphism or Glassmorphism?
Pressure makes diamonds. Seeing how I adapted along every step of the way is quite astonishing. I’m proud but still hungry like I yet have something to prove.
I’m excited about where the digital design world goes next.
Thank you for reading.
Let me know what your thoughts are.
This story was written by Kultar Singh Ruprai.
Your friendly neighbourhood designer.
