design imposters

I'm a designer, but I don't think I'm very good one. I never did art in school, never wanted to either, I don't think I was ever visually perceptive in any way, except for my impeccable sense of style :) But I did love English and received a degree in literature.

I went on to study design having no real understanding of what I was letting myself in for. I soon realised that I needed to be able to draw. I tried hard but I still really struggle with it and when I watch the creative director where I work drawing up quick sketches I just marvel at his ability and flair.

I found that I have always approached problem solving in design in a completely different manner than other designers that I have worked with, just because I have to. Sometimes it's successful and sometimes its spectacularly unsuccessful.

Often I feel like a mathematician who can't add and a complete fraud, yet I have (what I would consider to be) a good job in an advertising agency. I'm just wondering what you 'real' designers think of someone like me, am I the death knell of the designer industry? Or are there room for designers who haven't come from a traditional art and design background?

Marguerite,
Ireland.

Part of All Request Thursday

Comments

[Zwitter]

Don't worry - there are many of us who feel the same. Training or degree courses can't give someone the all-important 'eye' for design.

You're either born with it or you aren't. If you're holding down a good job, and producing work you like, then you're not doing bad at all!

Never let yourself believe that you don't deserve to be where you are. If it wasn't meant to be then it wouldn't be.

[Richard]

"I have always approached problem solving in design in a completely different manner than other designers" is a pretty good starting point.

[litherland]

There is room for designers who don't come from a traditional art and design background. It enriches the profession.

And not all designers can draw. Not well, anyway.

You marvel at your creative director's ability to draw a thumbnail sketch; your creative director may very well marvel at your approach to solving problems.

Rock on.

[Steve O]

What they said! If you're there, you must have some ability.
I get downgraded in people's minds because I went off doing other things for 10 years before coming back to design full-time, but I find that my viewpoint is different in a way that helps make up for direct experience.
Design is NOT about qualifications.