🤔 How to know if I'm a good designer? · The Bunker #48

Well, then, what now?

Am I good or not good?

It's a very good question that I believe we all ask ourselves in this field. We all doubt whether we are truly good designers or if what we do is a waste of time.

Do you know why many of us have these doubts?

Because it's something we can't measure. How can we determine if we are good or bad?

I have given you a little hint already. The problem is that we can't measure it.

Something that has helped me as a designer is, in fact, trying to find ways to objectively measure the quality of myself as a designer or my work. This way, I make sure that my worth doesn't depend on people's words or my own thoughts, but on something measurable and undeniable. In other words, something objective.

In this way, we can combat the imposter syndrome in a different way.

Over the years, I have found certain aspects that justify the quality of you as a designer and your work, objectively:

1. Empathy with the client: A good designer puts themselves in the client's shoes to understand their needs and goals. Actively listening and considering their preferences is essential to deliver a design that fully satisfies them.
2. Effective communication: The ability to communicate your ideas clearly and persuasively is crucial to obtaining approval for your designs and working effectively with other professionals.
   
   Disclaimer: Being clear doesn't mean being rude. There's no better way to respect your time and that of the client than being clear.
3. Good project management: If you can efficiently manage design projects from planning to final delivery, you demonstrate valuable skills in organizing and executing tasks.
   
   Efficient means having a clear goal and executing without delays or distractions, basically.
4. Learning from other disciplines: Exploring areas related to design, such as color psychology, marketing, or typography, provides you with a broader perspective and makes you a more well-rounded designer.
   
   The willingness of a designer to learn from other disciplines speaks volumes about them. A designer with limited skills who is interested in many things will become better over time.
   
   The niche is important, but one thing is your specialization and another is your interests. If you're interested, it means you like it, and therefore, you'll be good. Period.
5. Collaboration with other designers: Participating in collaborative projects with other designers exposes you to different styles and approaches, helping you grow and learn from your colleagues.
   
   A designer who has experience working in a team with other designers develops skills that not everyone has.
6. Ability to give and receive feedback: In addition to accepting feedback, learning to provide constructive feedback to other designers is essential for a creative and collaborative work environment.
7. Effective presentations: The ability to present your designs convincingly to clients or your team is fundamental to obtaining their approval and support.
   
   Remember, a good design doesn't need to be explained; it speaks for itself. If you've been in a situation where you presented something without the need for extensive explanations, it means you've created a good design.
8. Overdesign: Many will tell you that your time is the most valuable and that you should monetize it. Correct. One thing doesn't exclude the other.
   
   I recommend always trying to deliver more than what you've been asked to do (if time allows it, of course). For example, if you have to design one blog section, try designing three. You might not want to deliver all three to the client, but you keep one for yourself. This will push you further.
9. Ability to simplify: Knowing how to simplify complex designs without losing their effectiveness is a valuable skill that demonstrates clarity and precision in your work.
   
   Remember, a design has to be simple.
10. Attention to details: Thoroughness is essential in design, as small details can make a big difference in the final quality of the project.
    
    If you are a designer who pays attention to the little things, you are likely good without realizing it.
11. Handling constructive criticism: Learning to handle criticism positively and not taking it personally helps you improve constantly and maintain an open attitude towards growth.
12. Passion for design: If you love what you do and are passionate about design, it will reflect in the quality of your work and keep you motivated in your career.
13. Recognizing and learning from mistakes: Mistakes are opportunities to learn and grow. Recognizing them and seeking solutions demonstrates professional maturity.
14. Participation in design communities: Joining design communities, either online or in person, connects you with other professionals and keeps you informed about the latest trends.
15. Celebrate your achievements: Recognize your accomplishments and celebrate your successes in design. It's important to value your progress and feel satisfied with your professional growth.
16. Achieving your goals: I recommend setting small goals that help you measure your success. For example:
    
    - 1 client per month, then increasing to 2 clients per month and so on.
    - Design 1 website per week for practice.
    
    Ask yourself questions such as:
    - After finishing a project, did the clients leave satisfied? Were there any issues during the process?
    - Have I had few clients, but all of them had positive outcomes?
17. Set clear and achievable goals: Define specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound goals (SMART methodology) to evaluate your progress and success in achieving those objectives.
18. Develop relevant skills: Identify key skills needed to achieve your goals and seek opportunities to develop them. You can measure your progress by quantifiable improvement in these skills.
    
    For example, in web design, it's important to have:
    - A good sense of animation
    - Good use of color
    - Good use of typography
    
    Maybe it makes sense for you to become obsessed with typography.
19. Gather feedback from others: Ask for constructive feedback from friends, family, mentors, or colleagues in key areas of your life. Their perceptions can offer an objective perspective on your strengths and areas for improvement.
20. Listen to what they say: A common mistake is to ignore reality. You probably are already good but insist on not paying attention to it. I understand that you need objective things, but when you already have those objective facts, you decide not to listen, like to the comments of people around you.
21. Make informed decisions: Evaluate your decisions and their outcomes based on data, analysis, and consideration of alternatives. This will help you make more informed choices in the future and measure your ability to make informed decisions.
22. Become an efficient problem solver: Evaluate how you approach and solve problems in your daily life. If you can identify and solve problems effectively, you demonstrate valuable skills in measuring your overall success.
23. Create a balance between work and personal life: Evaluate how you handle the balance between your professional and personal responsibilities. A balanced approach can be an objective indicator of your ability to maintain a satisfying and fulfilling life.
24. Help others and contribute to the community: Evaluate your ability to assist others and make meaningful contributions to your community or causes you believe in. Your positive impact on others' lives can measure your success as an individual.
25. Measure your growth over time: Keep a record of your progress in different aspects of your life, such as skills, relationships, health, and emotional well-being. Comparing your current situation with the past can provide an objective view of your personal growth.

In conclusion, measuring success in life is not just about external achievements but also about how you feel about yourself and how you positively impact the world around you.

These tips will help you gain a more objective view of your progress and identify areas in which you can continue to grow and improve.

A person who earns a lot of money, has many clients, and is doing well financially but is unhappy or feels exhausted is not a successful person. They might have achieved demand, but not success.

On the other hand, a person who has few clients (maybe not enough to make a living) but handles their work sustainably, with energy and enthusiasm, is much more successful.

By the way, you should be the one to determine what success means to you; don't adapt to others' definitions.

Let me emphasize that you are probably better than you think you are, but you insist on not paying attention to reality.

Until next time,

Cheers, Jordi Espinosa.