Why Good Designers Suffer From Imposter Syndrome

[@nafimulabir]

This video hits home. I spent 2 years of my life not doing any real client project because of this syndrome. I was just going back and forth with logo design, poster design, branding etc instead of focusing on one thing. Now I'm willing to work and I'm building my portfolio, but the imposter syndrome still lingers in my brain. Thank you Alex, I needed this!

[@milanaomo]

I agree, the feeling of never being good enough can push you to do great work, but it becomes not that easy to do any work at all if it's really bad, like in my case. I go to work and do the design stuff I have to do while I'm still learning, but when it comes to private freelance stuff I have such high standards for others and myself plus so many ideas at once that I end up sitting in front of my laptop and doing nothing or the bare minimum because i'm just so frightened and overthink everything. this has been the issue for my whole life actually. I'm really tired of it and wish I could just CREATE and not pretend like I do.

[@designthescenes]

this comes down to something basic as caring so much about what others think of your work or you. Design and being a designer is being vulnerable. You exposed your ideas, your craft and anything inside you to others, of course you will be critized. But if you want to do anything of value in life you need to accept that some people won't like it. Its better to dont be liked by some and do something meaningful than being neutral and being ignored by everyone. So maybe you need to explore the vulnerability part and how to confront that fear - that by the way MANY designers face, or in fact any creator face the same fear, the point is to grow stronger anytime you expose yourself.

[@xnajx]

Love your videos, Alex. Yesterday whilst I was sitting at my computer all day without a break trying to meet deadlines I listened to all of your videos, one after each other. It was good listening and you speak many truths. It's just good to head people with different opinions compared to Chris Do, who reckons you can charge an arm and a leg for a project. Keep it up! 👍

[@designthescenes]

Thank you Nathan! Chris Do has done lots of good for the community, and I am thankful for it. But it seems since the last few years his content is more about business, epic negotiation, agency models or the like, not really on designers who are starting or learning. He shifted from learning designers to something where he could make money too, I don't blame him for it.

[@lalapashayeva1107]

Chris Do is a little overwhelming for people who are just starting & people with low self esteem in graphic design field.

[@lalapashayeva1107]

Chris Do is a little overwhelming for people who are just starting & people with low self esteem in graphic design field.

[@erm1410]

I agree with this a lot, I think I suffer from this while in school and my work tends to reflect that unfortunately

[@designthescenes]

it is part of the process erm, totally normal... at least you are not one of those with the reverse syndrome ; )

[@jefflau7124]

That's totally me all the time !!! Still trying to overcome it till this day. Have a good day Alex ✌

[@designthescenes]

You got this Jeff! Have a good day!

[@lalapashayeva1107]

In my case, I'm a corporate graphic designer in a 250+ people company related to the hotel business. I am always worried that this corporate stuff is lowering my creativity and my ability to think bigger than i do at the moment, But on the other hand, improving my quick skills in the software and most importantly my speed at work. Im very fast lol. because you know, following a brandbook every day is a little overwhelming, and if comparing this type of work i do now (I'm 24 btw) to the work we used to do at school, its very different. i don't get to be as creative as i want. I try my best though being creative in millions of ways in corporate design work. Can you like make a video about different graphic design paths that are to take? i am on my corporate path atm, and i know that this is NOT what i wanna be doing all my life, cause I'm looking for much more creative things to do with my vision. Also, coming home after my creativity being squeezed in the 9-5, i really have no energy to even start working on the portfolio. But i will i promise. :) thanks

[@designthescenes]

Thank you friend, just read all your comments... and in the next weeks I am posting videos about what other types of jobs you can get as alternatives to ad agencies. That corporate job will get a bit dull and my recommendation is for you to start looking elsewhere more creative, otherwise you will feel stuck soon-ish.

[@jaywalker.]

Alex, I know you mentioned that early in your career you struggled with being the slowest designer among your peers. I feel like I'm in the same position and I'm curious what recommendations you have for someone trying to become faster.

[@designthescenes]

Practice and patience is the only way to really grow, shortcuts don't really exist. I was the slowest but I turned out very efficient and one of the few ones living out of being a designer, so I guess being patient paid out. Take your time, observe, practice, and educate your eye, this only happens with time ; )

[@gainseytuts768]

Great Video!

[@matthewsmith1547]

It’s not possible to always do better than you last design as every customers needs are going to be different and subjective.

[@designthescenes]

You can always do better, for yourself - as in improving a little bit with every iteration. You need to always learn something, the result of the design itself doesn't matter, what matters is that you took some lessons with you onto the next one. That's the attitude that brings you far.

[@panospar]

Opposite of imposter syndrome is narcissism 😂

[@yco67]

i want to quit graphic part design and do something else..

[@designthescenes]

You mention ad agencies are toxic...true.. but there are other places to work, dont just quit if you love design

[@yco67]

@@designthescenes thank you for your response.. other places like design agencies you mean? i dont know why i feel like i need something radical..

[@houseofrosesnthedark8875]

This is so me lol