Staying relevant as a Designer.
The lifelong learning journey of a Designer and how to stay ahead of the game.
In today's fast-paced and ever-evolving digital landscape, staying ahead of the game requires a commitment to staying informed and up-to-date on the latest tools, trends, and techniques in the industry.
However, this journey can be challenging at times, and designers often face common obstacles that can delay their progress. In todays issue, we will discuss how to stay ahead of the game and level up your learning game as a designer.
Continuous learning is a vital aspect of being a successful designer.
One of the most important reasons to prioritize continuous learning as a designer is to maintain a competitive edge. The design field is constantly evolving, and new technologies and techniques are regularly being introduced.
Keeping up with these advancements allows designers to bring new and innovative ideas to their work, which in turn can help them stand out in the job market.
Another key reason to focus on continuous learning is to stay relevant. Design trends and preferences change frequently, and designers who are able to adapt to these changes are more likely to be in demand.
Be pragmatic and intentional
Sometimes designers make the mistake of becoming experts in one specific tool and don’t take the time to learn the new and upcoming ones.
Remember when Sketch was the standard tool for UI? When Figma came along, some designers adopted it, some didn’t pay enough attention. Guess what happened to those who ignored it?
Now Figma is the new standard tool and although is not mandatory for succeding, a simple LinkedIn job search will show that being experienced in Figma is far more advantageous than knowing how to use Sketch.
My point is: Don’t be a romantic. Keep an eye on new tools and learn on the way to keep yourself competitive.
Learn it like you mean it
One effective strategy is to consistently set aside dedicated time for learning and professional development. Abraham Lincoln said:
“Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.”
However cliché you find this quote to be, it stays relevant for us designers.
Setting time to learn and train your design skills is essential for a healthy long-term career in the field.
This can include attending workshops, conferences, and seminars, reading industry publications and blogs, and participating in online design communities.
Also, it’s important to stay open to new ideas and perspectives. This means being willing to step out of your comfort zone and explore new design styles, techniques, and technologies.
Everything counts
Design is about humans, emotions, provoking thoughts, experiences and really everything. With that in mind, it’s important that you also learn outside the design space.
Learning about psychology, human behaviour, marketing, code, politics, anything really, can help you become a better designer.
It also means being open to feedback and constructive criticism, and using it to improve your work.
Having a side project, pro bono or otherwise, is a great way to experiment those new techniques, learnings and styles. Such experimentation can not only lead to new and exciting design solutions, but also can help designers to discover new ways of working and thinking about design.
For example, I’m writing about design and business. And I’m learning a lot along the way. I’m not only becoming a better Designer, but also a better writer and human.
In summary
Never settle for where you are right now. It doesn’t matter if you have one year of experience or ten. The moment you stop learning, your career starts to end.
In conclusion, continuous learning is an essential aspect of being a successful designer. Staying informed and up-to-date on the latest tools, trends, and techniques allows designers to stay relevant, and maintain a competitive edge.
By dedicating time for learning and professional development, staying open to new ideas, designers can prioritize continuous learning and stay ahead of the game.
Thank you for reading!
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See you next week