Originally I titled this article Designers’ Ego, but ego seems to have a negative connotation so I switched it to confidence even though I prefer to use the term ego instead. In the article I will use them interchangeably so please don’t think ego is the mean, pig-headed bully that we conjure up in our imaginations. It’s more the voice that picks you up off the ground and dusts your shoulders off so you can try again.
Do you ever come to the point sometimes when you are designing and the design is just simply not working so you begin to wonder why you are even a designer or could even claim to be one? This used to happen to me, but then I would just surf the web and see somebody else’s ugly site and became instantly re-inspired to push forward. In the field of web design there is always someone worse than you that helps you to believe that you are at least decent and there is always someone better that makes you curl up into a ball. Now I am wise enough to understand that if I really need a great design job done I hire someone else to do it.
So many people enter web design because they believe that designing a website is easy. Unfortunately, they are wrong. Building a website is easy, designing one takes skill. This is where confidence (ego) kicks in. There are two key qualities that designers should possess and they both relate to criticism.
Give Criticism
The first one is that you need to be your own harshest critic. Believe me, this is extremely hard to do on the web since there are many people out there who are quick to point out how wrong your design is. When you think you are done with a design, take a step back and look at it. Could you do better? If you think you could, but can’t figure out how then just step away for a bit. If you don’t think you could do better then either you are right, or you just don’t want to push yourself further.
It’s human nature to believe that something we created is at least decent because we are proud of the work we have done. It’s okay to be proud of your work, but being satisfied with it is a completely different tale. Can you really look at your work and dissect what is wrong with it? Can you already see points of improvement?
Hopefully you don’t think your design is done because it looks like another popular site. You cannot call yourself a designer when all you do is steal other people’s designs. Sort of like thinking you can draw by placing a paper over a picture so you can trace the lines. It is okay to take the design elements of others to help with your own designs, but your ability to self-critique cannot develop until you have your own style. Your style may be similar to someone else’s, but at least when you design something you know that you designed it.
Receive Criticism
The second important aspect of being a designer is knowing how to take criticism. I am fortunate to have an audience that gives excellent criticism without being too harsh or demeaning. Many times I do not agree with what people say, but I have learned to listen to them because maybe in another design their ideas could work. Every once in a while you may get some jackass telling you how horrible everything looks. Why is he saying this? Who knows and who cares. When taking criticism there is always going to be signal and noise to deal with. Filter out the noise. Listen to others. Grow as a designer.
This is more important than ever now because the field is getting crowded. The usual designers who just happened to pick up the profession will troll the design galleries to see what they can pick up and emulate, emulate and emulate till they become just like the person they are emulating. Their ego tells them that they designed it when they didn’t. You need an ego that pushes you to do better with each passing design. You need an ego that accepts the praise and also laughs at it because you know you still have room to grow.
Eventually you might get to a point where you know how to do the right things to make a design look good, but that doesn’t mean it works. Large type, some gradients and the right color choices can get you in your gallery of choice, but is it the right design for the job? Is it what is needed? Did you actually design the site or did you just put on the right decorations? Depending on how your ego is developed will determine your answer.
Even when your ego is too big to fit on screen and you think you are the best around or people tell you there is no one better, there is always a way to learn and get better. Every website on the web has something to teach you. Be it something good or something bad, but from every design it is possible to take some knowledge away with you. If you want to be a designer then be one. You must have an ego or else you wouldn’t be doing it (unless you just do it for fun). Just make sure to keep it in check.
Do designers need an ego to be successful?
I asked on Twitter if designers need an ego to be successful and here are some of the responses:
- “Yes when it leads to confidence and presence. No when it translates to belligerent refusal to continually learn and listen” — @GregMolyneux
- “I’d say no. Confidence, yes; ego no. Ego can prevent you from fixing problems and improving” — @futuraprime
- “As ego provides a sense of self, yes. Avoiding being egotistical and leaning towards altruism is the key” — @ritchielee
- “I would have to say, yes. If there wasn’t any ego, no one could ever support their design decisions” — @kumailht
- “Ego, no; but a tough exterior and a love for what you do couldn’t hurt…” —@LeaBotwinick
- “No, but all successful designers have egos” — @worldobyrne
- “A certain confidence and drive is definitely needed to be a designer, but I’d say the ego needs to be left at the door” — @henrytapia
The above article was written by Paul “Srivs” Scrivens of the fairly new design blog, Drawar. Why I’ll don’t ask many for guest articles on The Design Cubicle I was immediately drawn to Srivs writing style. With his thought-provoking, well-researched, and sometimes “touchy” (see “You are not a designer and I am not a musician”) subject matter, Paul’s articles are often entertaining and enlightening while showcasing his unique voice and perspective.
Paul’s links:
- Subscribe to Drawar
- Follow Srivs on Twitter
- Check out his Inspiration Gallery and Community Link archives
I think a designer needs a good amount of Ego/Confidence in their design skills – especially when it comes to explaining your design to the client. If you are timid and meek the client does not have a reason to trust your expertise. Act like you know what you are doing – because most likely you do.
In terms of design critique – I think designers need to have their confidence balanced by humbless and openness to new ideas.
Another thing I learned pretty quickly as a design student is not to take things personally. Yes you may have poured your heart and soul and hours you should have been sleeping into a design, but a harsh critique of the design has nothing to do with you personally – its just work, its just design.
Great article Brian!
Or rather… Paul :)
One thing I’m learning as a design student is how important design rationale is. I used to think of my work in terms of “pretty” and “ugly”. When I look at my work now I think in terms of “why” and “how I am solving the problem” or accomplishing a goal. If you look at your work that way you’ll have less ego and more solid design choices. Good critiques will ask those questions. Plus being able to clearly articulate your design rationale helps you sell your idea to the client :)
If you have proof, you don’t need an ego. Objective, research-driven design is what I have found to be most successful:
audience + desired actions/tasks + user research + industry comparison = objective research-driven design solution
It’s like my 6th grade teacher used to say, “Jono, you have to show your work.”
Thanks Niki. As you mention when it comes to criticism one has to be able to separate personal from business. If you are receiving a critique take it as reflection of your work and not you personally. It can be hard to hear others say what they don’t like about your design just as much as it does when the person you like doesn’t like you back, but it comes with the territory.
You sure do need confidence whether this come across as arrogance is another matter, I’m frequently annoyed by clients asking me to change a lovely design because they “want it all above the fold” or want a flash intro… now if I was rich enough I might tell them where to go!
The problem in this visual media is that everyone is a designer, everyone takes joy form aesthetics in one way or another… what I have realised over the years is that visuals are only one aspect of being a designer and the average client doesn’t understand eye tracking surveys or general usability… and its on those points I make my stand!
You’re right that there is always someone better (yay for role models/mentors!) and someone worse out there (yay for learning by other’s mistakes!) But sometimes it is hard for me to find the confidence I desire when I truly am my own worst critic. I guess it takes time and experience to achieve the balance you describe in your article. This has given me much to think about – thanks!
Interesting Read. Confidence is helpful in every part of life but too much or too little will get you in trouble.
I get frustrated with my clients at the moment because they are too restrictive and think they know “design” by knowing terms like white space and typography. I think my frustration comes from having the passion of design without the confidence in my own work to back it up.
“Do you ever come to the point sometimes when you are designing and the design is just simply not working so you begin to wonder why you are even a designer or could even claim to be one?”
Absolutely, Scrivs. Especially since I’m just getting started. I prefer considering myself a ‘visual web developer’ or ‘front end web developer’ until my skill and knowledge of design catch up to everything else I know.
But Jeffrey Zeldman had an interesting tweet the other day: “If you don’t look at your past work and feel shame, you’re not growing” (paraphrased)
As what they said , all the successful designers have ego .
so if you think you may compete with them , then you should being egotistical.
There is a fine line when it comes to confidence. I have found that being over confident in what I can do leads me into trouble, but sometimes not backing myself enough can cost me time and money in the ling run.
Great post!
Cheers,
Lee.
This article brings up an excellent side point about the term ego. The ego is not bad in and of itself. It has to do with personal identity, self-esteem, and confidence. There is a balance with ego like everything else. Keep it in check by constantly gauging it by your own standards and the standards of other folks whose judgements you trust.
Do not “leave your ego at the door”. If you do, who/what else will guide you? A bland and directionless person who will be swayed by the slightest persuasion. Your ego is a big part of you personality, which is your unique offering to any project. That is what separates you from other designers and everyone else.
However, being egotistical is letting your ego run wild and unchecked. This will cause unending problems and ultimately damage your ego.
As Scrivs said, there will always be someone better than you and someone worse than you.
Another great article—Thanks Scrivs!
I agree on the paragraphs about Critisism, I have learned that it’s better just to be up-front and even blunt about what is good and what is not. The client/peers are always better off that way, it’s hard to take critisicm but it helps so much in the end.
I do however feel that critisicm must be in a constructive way and not just “bashing” someone, that is what many people miss when it comes to critisizing work.
Do designers need an ego to be successful?
Ego is a part of every human consciousness. Creativity and decision making are really important features of human consciousness. They build ideal designers objects. But customers could have their own perception of design products. They are as independent in treating design as a designer who tries to be creative. But success in this case means the possibility to implement the ideal vision of a customer.
[...] take the profession of graphic or web designer, your friends and family w… 3 Tweets Designers’ Confidence Building a website is easy, designing one takes skill. This is where confidence (ego) kicks in. [...]
I think you would need confidence so that the customer feels confident using your services. As far as bring prideful, i say no. Show confidence that you can handle the work and get it done, avoid being overly prideful as that tends to turn people off.
Wonderfully, brilliant article. Thank you.
[...] ~Paul Scrivens (http://www.thedesigncubicle.com/2010/03/designers-confidence/) [...]
[...] Designers’ Confidence [...]
“You need an ego that pushes you to do better with each passing design. You need an ego that accepts the praise and also laughs at it because you know you still have room to grow.”
This is key. I read a controversial blog post on enlightenment lately, and basically what it is. The comments basically concluded that personal growth is never-ending, you’re always in a process of growth.
I used to arrive at the conclusion that I’m quite “thorough” in my field – graphic / web design. Every time I used to come to this conclusion, I surprised myself with the quantity of knowledge there is to absorb. I spend time acquiring design knowledge as much as possible now. I learned that I am best at my own style, and although others have styles that I can incorporate ideas from, it’s best to demonstrate a more unique style instead of replicate another’s.
Cheers for the post
“Designers must wear hard hats and have thick skin.”
I read that in a book by Robyn Williams years ago. Being a designer has taught me to stop taking things personally. What a gift!
My confidence/ego serves me in the presentation and defense of my designs. I do find it helpful to take my ego out of the revision process because, usually no matter how absurd, feedback from clients pushes me to take the design to the next level and better serve the goal of the piece, to find a better solution. Removing ego also prevents me from coming across as arrogant to non-creatives (read: clients).
When I first began designing I became terribly upset with any perceived criticism. Since then, I have learned to enjoy the collaborative process of getting feedback from other designers…and clients, too!
Great article, Paul!
Although you seem to be writing specifically regarding website design, I think this is valid in print design as well. I used to work in a job where my art director was clearly afraid to tell me when he didn’t like something I had designed. It made my job that much harder, and my design that much weaker. Collaboration, and therefore, the ability to accept criticism, is necessary in the design world. As creatives, I think we need to value both our own opinions (i.e. have that ego!) and the opinions of our peers.
[...] Designers’ Confidence [...]
I’ve recently wrote a post similar to this where it was the opposite in that some designers and artists don’t show off their works or designs because they see all the other good designers on the web and around them.
Confidence and just having the “balls” to just show your work out there is what’s needed. No need to say, “Oh I’m better than this person”. You design towards your goal not some other designer’s.
Egos are annoying.
Of course you have to have a high degree of confidence..even ego ’cause the next guy that is designing with a high level of confidence is going to make better designs than you.
Mmm, there we have a very interesting read. Confidence in general may be very helpful in every part of life, but too much (or too little will) get you in trouble, that’s for sure !
Designer absolutely need some Ego. But it must be productive Ego of perfectionism.
great post as usual!
I’ve always found myself to be a harsh critic of my own work but have always seen that as a positive. Good article, well worth the read.
There is a thin line dividing ego and arrogance. I have seen many a designers failing because they became too arrogant about what they designed. Creative criticism was the last thing that they were looking for and this is where they called it a day for themselves.