Considering my 12 years of experience in the graphic design
industry, I consider myself fully qualified to grant advice to those designers
who find themselves ruled by their egos.
I don’t consider myself a great designer, I am lacking the artistic
genius that very few designers truly posses. I do believe that my attitude towards clients and criticism
ensures that my customers believe I am a great designer, which in the end is
really all I need to be successful.
Through the years I have come in contact with thousands of
customers, each requiring a different version of myself in order to
successfully complete a design project.
Some customers prefer a designer that will create what they have already
envisioned, and if the designer strays from that vision, the customer may shut
down completely. Other customers
give designers free reign to create a design from scratch, however at times
those customers who give that freedom might take it away if the designer goes
too far with the design.
Not only do designers have to read customers in order to be
successful, they must also, at times, put their egos aside and accept the fact
that not everyone is going to like what they create. I have always said that to be a good designer means you have
to have a very thick skin. Being able to accept constructive criticism, without
lashing out in response, is not easy.
I have found myself biting my tongue all too often, but have rarely lost
my composure. I have heard
horror stories from customers of designers who refuse to work with them due to
the designer’s inability to accept the criticism in the right manner. I have also been on the receiving end
of criticism from customers who are not schooled on how to properly convey
constructive criticism making their suggestions seem degrading and harsh. Harsh criticism can really bruise a
designer’s ego if they have put their heart and soul into a design.
As The Design Shrink, I hope to help designers cope with
projects that have gone awry, with customers that don’t say the kindest things
and with their own egos that can sometimes bring a design to ruin.
As I mentioned in the lecture, student’s subject defenses are usually a better bio than their autobiography. The only thing the audience cares about in your biography is your credibility. Why should we trust you and your writing?
ReplyDeleteYour autobiography is full of doubt. It is good to open up to your audience, but you don’t want to be self-indulgent. Going on about your lack of interest is not very engaging. Neither is talking about your passion.
We will see your passion when you talk about design or any subject passionately.
Which brings me to your subject defense. As intended, it does focus on your credibility, but it doesn’t get off to a great start.
I don’t consider myself a great designer, I am lacking the artistic genius that very few designers truly posses.
This isn’t exactly inspiring either. If design is your passion, than let’s hear about it, regardless of your skill level. Talk about what does inspire you. Talk about your strengths.
Again, it’s good to share your mistakes and open up to the audience, but we still want a voice with confidence.
I do believe that my attitude towards clients and criticism ensures that my customers believe I am a great designer, which in the end is really all I need to be successful.
That is more like it. You clearly are the Design Shrink. You want to talk more about your clients’ psychology and interactions than their design needs.
And that is intriguing. The Design Shrink is a curious idea. I’m interested to hear more. But be confident in the knowledge you have to share.
Let’s look at your language. Considering my 12 years of experience in the graphic design industry, I consider myself fully qualified to grant advice to those designers who find themselves ruled by their egos.
Considering… I consider myself… Not exactly poetry. Get rid of "myself."
When you start to edit your work, you will be amazed at how often you say things that are completely unnecessary. We all do it.
Through the years I have come in contact with thousands of customers, each requiring a different version of myself in order to successfully complete a design project.
“I have thousands of clients. They demand different designs and different types of designers. To be successful, I have to play every role.”
Or something like that. Don’t be afraid to break up your sentences and give each thought its due. Don’t make a sentence do too much at once.
You make a very interesting point. It is the major concept behind "The Design Shrink." Make it as clear as possible.
Good work.
I agree, my writing has been ruled by my lack of confidence and it really shows. That was the first comment my husband said after reading this post. Even in the last few posts, I can't seem to get away from doubting my own abilities. I seem to be writing for my own therapy which isn't quite what I intended! I think I am having a hard time figuring out the right way to give the advice. Should I be telling stories? Or should I just strictly analyze the best way to accomplish a design? I got stuck on this "ego" thing too. Do you think it is too over-the-top? I have never actually written creatively for a long time, at least not since High School (quite a long time ago), and I don't think that I ever learned the proper way to go about it. I am sorry about the late assignments last week, I am never late with assignments and have no good excuse for it either! I will be on time from here on out.
DeleteDear Design Shrink,
ReplyDeleteI admire your candidness. You wrote freely about both the pitfalls and pleasures of working for a client. It seems that as you wrote, your confidence grew stronger. I hope you might consider a testimony or antidote from one of your many customers as the semester goes on.