Things No One Told You About Becoming a Designer

Becoming a designer is a thrilling adventure, but like any profession, it comes with its own set of surprises that no one prepares you for. At 22 years old, I’m still early in my career, but I’ve already learned a lot in these first few years. If you’re on the path to becoming a designer or have just started, here are some things I wish I had known when I began this creative journey.

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‍1. It’s Not Just About Creativity—It’s About Strategy

‍While creativity is a huge part of design, being a designer is much more than just coming up with cool ideas. You have to think strategically about how your design solves a problem. Whether it’s a logo, an app interface, or packaging, each design serves a purpose, and learning to balance aesthetics with functionality is key.

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‍2. You Won’t Always Be Designing

‍Surprise! You won’t spend every day sketching or playing around with layouts. In fact, a large part of the job involves communication, project management, and sometimes even educating clients. Whether you’re responding to emails, presenting your ideas, or tweaking a brief, design often means being part of a bigger process.

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‍3. Feedback Isn’t a Bad Thing

‍It’s easy to feel attached to your designs, but feedback is inevitable—and it’s a good thing. You’ll quickly learn that design is subjective, and clients or teams will always have opinions. Learning to accept constructive criticism and make revisions without taking it personally is crucial for growth.

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‍4. Deadlines Will Keep You Up at Night

‍Deadlines are relentless. They can spark creativity but also pressure you into working faster than you’d like. Balancing quality work with tight deadlines is one of the hardest but most important skills you’ll develop. Sometimes “good enough” is better than perfect—especially when the clock is ticking.

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5. Designing for Clients Is Different Than Designing for Yourself

‍When you’re working on your own projects, you have total creative freedom, but client work is different. You’ll often have to design within constraints—brand guidelines, target audience preferences, and client requests that don’t align with your personal style. The real skill is delivering results that meet the client’s needs while maintaining your creative integrity.

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‍6. The Learning Never Stops

‍The design world is constantly evolving with new tools, trends, and technologies emerging all the time. Just when you think you’ve mastered something, there’s something new to learn. Whether it’s a new design software, a change in user behavior, or emerging design trends, staying updated is essential.

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‍7. Creative Block Happens More Than You Expect

‍You might think that designers are always bursting with creative ideas, but the truth is that creative block is very real. There will be days where inspiration feels miles away. Finding your go-to methods to reignite creativity—whether it’s going for a walk, looking at other designers’ work, or even stepping away from your computer—is important.

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‍8. You’ll Wear Many Hats

‍Especially in smaller companies or freelance gigs, you’ll find yourself doing much more than design. You might end up being part marketer, social media manager, or even copywriter. While this can seem overwhelming, it also gives you a better understanding of how design fits into the bigger picture of a business or brand.

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‍9. You’ll Be Your Harshest Critic

‍Designers often have high standards for their work, which can sometimes lead to overanalyzing and second-guessing. Learning when to stop tweaking and be confident in your work is one of the hardest parts of the job. Remember, perfection is elusive, and sometimes the best work comes from embracing imperfections.

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‍10. It’s a Business, Not Just Art

‍As much as design is about creativity, it’s also about business. Understanding budgets, contracts, timelines, and the value of your work is crucial. Whether you’re freelancing or working for a company, knowing how to navigate the business side of design will save you a lot of headaches.

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Though I’m still young and have a lot to learn, these are some of the biggest lessons I’ve picked up so far. The journey to becoming a designer is full of unexpected twists and turns, but each challenge offers an opportunity to grow. The more you embrace both the creative and strategic sides of the job, the more rewarding it becomes.