Quiet designers lead to bad products. But designers are afraid to speak up either because they are new to their role or because they are afraid of offending someone. The perceived “subjective” nature of design leads to those who are bold being viewed as tyrants.
Thread
Designers over 40: what are some important things you’ve learned about yourself and the industry in your time?
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Your point about “quiet designers” is on point but I wonder if we are thinking about the same thing. How would you describe what the opposite of “quiet” looks like?
Trust your instincts. Be adaptable. Collaborate with and listen to different perspectives. Balance work and life to maintain creativity. Mentoring younger designers is rewarding. Diversity and inclusion are essential for impactful design. Always be learning (and kerning).
1. Listen, and ask questions. 2. Everything is a cycle. The same problems exist today that existed when I first started. The problems simply have a different coat of paint. 3. Own up to your failures, and speak about what you learned.
Great observations in this thread so far. I’d appreciate more reposts and shares…I want to hear more!
Criticize in private, praise in public. You tend to get better results when you celebrate good behavior than when you punish bad. I saw a list of these somewhere, but this one stood out to me!
👀 don’t mind me just here to copy down the answers and get a few years head start
That everything changes: the things we design and build, the people we are, what we believe in, what design is, and the good we can do.
