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What can I do to motivate myself?
I want to become a designer, but idk if I’m creative enough for it. #design #designer
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9 answers
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity => Self-Actualization.
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James Constantine’s Answer
Dear Rocsteve,
Igniting Your Creative Flame: Empowering Yourself to Embark on a Designer's Journey
Snapshot
The key to personal advancement, especially in a creative profession like design, lies in motivation. To flourish as a designer, you need to nurture your creativity and sustain a robust desire to learn and evolve. This response will equip you with a variety of strategies to fuel your motivation and help you achieve your ambition of becoming a designer.
Unearth Your Design Passion
Start by connecting with your authentic love for design. Realizing why you're attracted to this field can ignite your motivation and guide your endeavors. Reflect on these questions:
What about design stirs your enthusiasm?
Which facets of design captivate you the most - visual aesthetics, problem-solving, or innovation?
Are there certain design sectors or specialties that pique your interest? Responding to these queries can help you pinpoint your passion and bolster your resolve to become a designer.
Discover Creative Channels and Inspiration
Immersing yourself in diverse creative channels and sources of inspiration can boost your creativity and feed your inner artist. Here are some suggestions:
Create an inspiration board: Gather images, textures, typography, and other visual elements that speak to you. Use platforms like Pinterest or a physical board to compile ideas. This can help you discern themes and patterns in your work and foster creative exploration.
Experiment with varied mediums: Dabbling in a range of artistic activities like painting, sketching, or photography can flex your creative muscles and widen your artistic horizon. These experiences can enrich your designs by offering novel perspectives and inventive methods.
Join workshops or online courses: Hone your skills by attending workshops or online courses centered on design techniques or methodologies. These educational experiences can refine your talents while networking with other fervent designers in the community.
Follow design influencers: Keep abreast of industry trends by following designers, agencies, and thought leaders on platforms like Instagram, Dribbble, or Behance. This will enable you to witness their creative processes, learn from their journeys, and uncover new techniques that can stimulate your work.
Engage in local creative events: Participating in local meetups or conferences can offer invaluable networking opportunities while exposing you to fresh ideas and methods in the industry. Involvement in these events can also broaden your support network of peers with similar interests and aspirations.
Track progress: Monitor your progress by consistently documenting sketches, prototypes, or final designs in a portfolio or journal. This will allow you to reflect on your journey and identify areas for enhancement - providing vital insights as you continue to grow creatively.
Set attainable goals: Set short-term targets that correspond with long-term goals - such as finishing specific courses or initiating new projects - as these will help sustain motivation while ensuring consistent progress towards becoming a professional designer. Regularly revisiting these goals will also foster self-reflection and encourage continuous learning throughout the journey.
Stay Resilient: Embrace Challenges as Learning Opportunities
Confidence is vital in any career pursuit; however, doubts about one's creativity may surface occasionally on the path to becoming a designer. To stay motivated despite these hurdles:
Embrace imperfection: Accept that mistakes are a fundamental part of learning; every misstep is a chance for growth, not a sign of failure or lack of creativity.
Practice self-compassion: Treat setbacks with kindness instead of self-criticism; realize that everyone encounters obstacles when chasing their dreams.
Seek feedback from trusted peers: Share your projects with mentors or colleagues who can provide constructive feedback; this will help affirm your strengths while pinpointing areas that need improvement.
Maintain perspective: Compare past works with current accomplishments; recognize the progress made over time as proof of growth and advancement towards becoming a more proficient designer.
Remember success stories: Draw inspiration from successful designers who faced similar challenges early in their careers; reading biographies or watching interviews can reassure you that persistence leads to eventual success in the field.
Authoritative References Used: 1) “The War of Art” by Steven Pressfield 2) “Designing Your Life” by Bill Burnett & Dave Evans 3) “Steal Like an Artist” by Austin Kleon
Blessings,
JC.
Igniting Your Creative Flame: Empowering Yourself to Embark on a Designer's Journey
Snapshot
The key to personal advancement, especially in a creative profession like design, lies in motivation. To flourish as a designer, you need to nurture your creativity and sustain a robust desire to learn and evolve. This response will equip you with a variety of strategies to fuel your motivation and help you achieve your ambition of becoming a designer.
Unearth Your Design Passion
Start by connecting with your authentic love for design. Realizing why you're attracted to this field can ignite your motivation and guide your endeavors. Reflect on these questions:
What about design stirs your enthusiasm?
Which facets of design captivate you the most - visual aesthetics, problem-solving, or innovation?
Are there certain design sectors or specialties that pique your interest? Responding to these queries can help you pinpoint your passion and bolster your resolve to become a designer.
Discover Creative Channels and Inspiration
Immersing yourself in diverse creative channels and sources of inspiration can boost your creativity and feed your inner artist. Here are some suggestions:
Create an inspiration board: Gather images, textures, typography, and other visual elements that speak to you. Use platforms like Pinterest or a physical board to compile ideas. This can help you discern themes and patterns in your work and foster creative exploration.
Experiment with varied mediums: Dabbling in a range of artistic activities like painting, sketching, or photography can flex your creative muscles and widen your artistic horizon. These experiences can enrich your designs by offering novel perspectives and inventive methods.
Join workshops or online courses: Hone your skills by attending workshops or online courses centered on design techniques or methodologies. These educational experiences can refine your talents while networking with other fervent designers in the community.
Follow design influencers: Keep abreast of industry trends by following designers, agencies, and thought leaders on platforms like Instagram, Dribbble, or Behance. This will enable you to witness their creative processes, learn from their journeys, and uncover new techniques that can stimulate your work.
Engage in local creative events: Participating in local meetups or conferences can offer invaluable networking opportunities while exposing you to fresh ideas and methods in the industry. Involvement in these events can also broaden your support network of peers with similar interests and aspirations.
Track progress: Monitor your progress by consistently documenting sketches, prototypes, or final designs in a portfolio or journal. This will allow you to reflect on your journey and identify areas for enhancement - providing vital insights as you continue to grow creatively.
Set attainable goals: Set short-term targets that correspond with long-term goals - such as finishing specific courses or initiating new projects - as these will help sustain motivation while ensuring consistent progress towards becoming a professional designer. Regularly revisiting these goals will also foster self-reflection and encourage continuous learning throughout the journey.
Stay Resilient: Embrace Challenges as Learning Opportunities
Confidence is vital in any career pursuit; however, doubts about one's creativity may surface occasionally on the path to becoming a designer. To stay motivated despite these hurdles:
Embrace imperfection: Accept that mistakes are a fundamental part of learning; every misstep is a chance for growth, not a sign of failure or lack of creativity.
Practice self-compassion: Treat setbacks with kindness instead of self-criticism; realize that everyone encounters obstacles when chasing their dreams.
Seek feedback from trusted peers: Share your projects with mentors or colleagues who can provide constructive feedback; this will help affirm your strengths while pinpointing areas that need improvement.
Maintain perspective: Compare past works with current accomplishments; recognize the progress made over time as proof of growth and advancement towards becoming a more proficient designer.
Remember success stories: Draw inspiration from successful designers who faced similar challenges early in their careers; reading biographies or watching interviews can reassure you that persistence leads to eventual success in the field.
Authoritative References Used: 1) “The War of Art” by Steven Pressfield 2) “Designing Your Life” by Bill Burnett & Dave Evans 3) “Steal Like an Artist” by Austin Kleon
Blessings,
JC.
Updated
Samantha’s Answer
Do little stuff each and every day that help you to your goal. Those little wins will get the ball rolling and you will start getting motivation.
Updated
Hugh’s Answer
I agree with some of the other answers but I would add that building confidence is a great way to find motivation. Often, the best way to build confidence is to demystify through experience. I would do whatever you can to build that experience, even if it is not exactly what you are looking to do. You don't need to start with a paying job if you don't feel ready. You might consider interning or volunteering to do creative/design work for a non-profit you care about.
Good luck!
Good luck!
Updated
Lucie’s Answer
Motivation is the key to be successful at any endeavor and design is not different.
Creativity is a very subjective topic, and self doubt is totally normal because there is not much to compare yourself to out there. There is only one you! I think a bigger question could be, do you like design? do you see yourself doing it for a long time? Does it make you happy?
You can also look for inspiration in a few sources:
- Podcast: Listen to designers talk about what they do, how they do it, and also how is this field evolving, what are the big trends.
- Books: How to be a graphic designer, how to use graphic design.
- Network: Look into your network or to build a network to help you define what it takes to be a graphic designer. There must be nuances in creativity!
- etc.
All in all, this will help you hopefully lift some of your doubts and helps you stay motivated to work towards your goal.
Hope this helps,
Cheers
Creativity is a very subjective topic, and self doubt is totally normal because there is not much to compare yourself to out there. There is only one you! I think a bigger question could be, do you like design? do you see yourself doing it for a long time? Does it make you happy?
You can also look for inspiration in a few sources:
- Podcast: Listen to designers talk about what they do, how they do it, and also how is this field evolving, what are the big trends.
- Books: How to be a graphic designer, how to use graphic design.
- Network: Look into your network or to build a network to help you define what it takes to be a graphic designer. There must be nuances in creativity!
- etc.
All in all, this will help you hopefully lift some of your doubts and helps you stay motivated to work towards your goal.
Hope this helps,
Cheers
Updated
Mario’s Answer
hi Rocsteve,
creativity has various definitions - or may i say various perceptions. some people think it's only gifted for few, others think of it like if it is magic, etc...
i am currently reading a book titled "Creative Approaches to Problem Solving: A Framework for Innovation and Change"; it is helping me to define creativity into its correct frame; i really recommend that you read it. good luck!
creativity has various definitions - or may i say various perceptions. some people think it's only gifted for few, others think of it like if it is magic, etc...
i am currently reading a book titled "Creative Approaches to Problem Solving: A Framework for Innovation and Change"; it is helping me to define creativity into its correct frame; i really recommend that you read it. good luck!
Updated
Vero’s Answer
Hi Rocsteve,
I recall taking some aptitude tests when I was in high school and all stated that I would be great in the medical field. According to the results, I had an aptitude for it. But I did not feel excited about the prospect, there was no drive pushing me to that career path.
Instead, I wanted to pursue a career I would feel passionate about, work that I would enjoy, be interested in; work I would want to go to every day (or at least almost every day!) I decided to study int’l relations and communications, a field that would allow me to help people from different cultures to understand each other better. In the process, I’ve faced challenges, even supervisors and teachers that considered the fact that English is my second language as an issue – but I leaned into mentors, worked hard at improving my skills and turned my English-as-a-second-language into an advantage, a trait that allowed me to create communications relevant to more audiences, from multiple backgrounds.
I encourage to ask yourself if designing is what drives you, if you see yourself doing that for long periods of time, if you enjoy it, if you’re naturally interested in learning how it’s done. If the answer is yes, then go for it. If the answer is maybe, then explore it more, ask questions, seek an internship with someone in the field.
Choosing to do what I loved, over what I was ‘good’ at, was the best choice I could have made. After almost two decades, I feel the same drive to start the day and tackle the next project as when I started.
Here an article that might be helpful as well: https://stunningmotivation.com/why-passion-is-important/
I recall taking some aptitude tests when I was in high school and all stated that I would be great in the medical field. According to the results, I had an aptitude for it. But I did not feel excited about the prospect, there was no drive pushing me to that career path.
Instead, I wanted to pursue a career I would feel passionate about, work that I would enjoy, be interested in; work I would want to go to every day (or at least almost every day!) I decided to study int’l relations and communications, a field that would allow me to help people from different cultures to understand each other better. In the process, I’ve faced challenges, even supervisors and teachers that considered the fact that English is my second language as an issue – but I leaned into mentors, worked hard at improving my skills and turned my English-as-a-second-language into an advantage, a trait that allowed me to create communications relevant to more audiences, from multiple backgrounds.
I encourage to ask yourself if designing is what drives you, if you see yourself doing that for long periods of time, if you enjoy it, if you’re naturally interested in learning how it’s done. If the answer is yes, then go for it. If the answer is maybe, then explore it more, ask questions, seek an internship with someone in the field.
Choosing to do what I loved, over what I was ‘good’ at, was the best choice I could have made. After almost two decades, I feel the same drive to start the day and tackle the next project as when I started.
Here an article that might be helpful as well: https://stunningmotivation.com/why-passion-is-important/
Updated
Gonzalo’s Answer
1. Set goals. When you set a goal, you make a decision to act in a way that will help you achieve what you want. Goals give you a direction to focus on – one that’s measurable and has an endpoint. This can help you to stay motivated.
2. Choose goals that interest you. You’re much more likely to stay motivated if you’re working towards something that you genuinely want to do or achieve, rather than what other people want for you.
3. Find things that interest you within goals that don’t. Sometimes other people set goals or tasks for us that we don’t find interesting or want to do. So, try and find something within that task that does motivate you. For example: ‘I find maths challenging, but it’s going to help me become a builder, which I want more than anything.’
4. Make your goal public. If you tell someone – or write down – your goal, you’ve essentially made a promise to keep your word.
5. Plot your progress. When you’re working towards something, it can be really motivating if you can see evidence that you’re making progress. Draw or create a visual representation of how you’re coming closer to achieving the goal you’ve set yourself.
6. Break up your goal. Start with easier tasks and work your way up to bigger challenges. Breaking up a task in your mind into achievable chunks helps build confidence.
7. Use rewards. Promise yourself some sort of reward each time you complete a step/task.
8. Don’t do it alone. Join a class, or find a teacher or someone you can share the experience with. Other people’s encouragement to keep going can be a big boost to your motivation, particularly when you’re doing it tough.
2. Choose goals that interest you. You’re much more likely to stay motivated if you’re working towards something that you genuinely want to do or achieve, rather than what other people want for you.
3. Find things that interest you within goals that don’t. Sometimes other people set goals or tasks for us that we don’t find interesting or want to do. So, try and find something within that task that does motivate you. For example: ‘I find maths challenging, but it’s going to help me become a builder, which I want more than anything.’
4. Make your goal public. If you tell someone – or write down – your goal, you’ve essentially made a promise to keep your word.
5. Plot your progress. When you’re working towards something, it can be really motivating if you can see evidence that you’re making progress. Draw or create a visual representation of how you’re coming closer to achieving the goal you’ve set yourself.
6. Break up your goal. Start with easier tasks and work your way up to bigger challenges. Breaking up a task in your mind into achievable chunks helps build confidence.
7. Use rewards. Promise yourself some sort of reward each time you complete a step/task.
8. Don’t do it alone. Join a class, or find a teacher or someone you can share the experience with. Other people’s encouragement to keep going can be a big boost to your motivation, particularly when you’re doing it tough.
Updated
Darcy’s Answer
If you're unsure if your creative enough then I would try doing a few rough designs and getting feedback on them, ask yourself if you enjoy having to make the changes suggested and whether or not it drives you to see it to completion. Motivation for me has a lot to do with not only what I enjoy doing, but finding how to apply it to something I care about. Hopefully combining those two will give you that drive, if it doesn't then maybe try exploring something else - but don't be afraid to try different approaches first.
Updated
Luz Alba’s Answer
Hi Rocsteve,
Design doesn't ONLY have to do with creativity, as you may discover later, there are many type of designers that express themselves through different mediums.
Design has to do also with: Getting to know your users, understand the context, analyze what others are doing to finally design products or services that will connect people, solve pain points or inspire and for that you will need to connect with people, more than to be creative.
In my day-to-day job, we say that users are the ones who finally give us the inspiration to design.
Design doesn't ONLY have to do with creativity, as you may discover later, there are many type of designers that express themselves through different mediums.
Design has to do also with: Getting to know your users, understand the context, analyze what others are doing to finally design products or services that will connect people, solve pain points or inspire and for that you will need to connect with people, more than to be creative.
In my day-to-day job, we say that users are the ones who finally give us the inspiration to design.