5 Lessons I Learnt While Building a Design Career

I’ll define design as a touch point to solve problems. The role of a designer is critical in the most basic things we see in our environment. Our thoughts and behaviours are deeply influenced by design, and it’s little wonder that when events happen around us, it seems they have been designed to happen. Indeed, God is a designer. 👑

Because design matters so much, I’ve paid close attention to what this field really is and how it can be applied effectively to my daily life. Reflecting on what saw me through the early stages of my career, I see every reason why starting off the right way matters. Here are five things that have helped me navigate my path better.

1. Never lose your creativity

They say the more you use creativity, the more vast you’ll become, so your creativity cannot be used up. Creativity is synonymous with innovation, and this vital recipe will always set you apart from your peers.

The only thing that sets you apart from every other thinker is your ability to make something out of almost nothing.

If you strive for creativity always, it will open up new terrain.

2. Pay close attention to the environment

The same way you find a mentor in any chosen field, learn from the universe. You’ll find out how much inspiration you can draw from the environment when you choose to experience everything nature has to offer. This is close to the next lesson, but it is worth understanding what having the universe as a mentor will do for your career.

3. Feed your subconscious

Feeding my subconscious has been a great growth tool. 90% of my phone’s memory is filled with research material: screenshots, apps from different sectors, books, and many things that fascinate me.

Learn from everyone and everything, and visit new places. Our subconscious memory is virtually perfect. It works as a data bank that stores and retrieves information without our noticing. See new things. It works like magic.

4. Start somewhere, start small

We always have that dream of starting something big that will change the course of human history.

The only thing stopping you from that dream is starting.

This is a major challenge for most designers starting out, and even seniors feel the urge to get things done perfectly. We think, think and overthink, until even thinking is tired of our thoughts.

Starting small is a lesson I learnt the hard way. It was the wrong motive to start something hoping it would impact the whole world immediately. I don’t even expect this first post to go viral. I just want to touch a few people, even if I have plans of reaching more, because I believe that one begets many.

5. Stay consistent

Whether you’ve just started using Figma for product design or just started reading books, the first few days, weeks or even months might be challenging. I’m still learning the act of always showing up, because I hope to keep impacting.

I have developed a formula that has helped me in the past, and I’m prepared to use it whenever I feel like quitting.

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These five lessons grew out of my first steps in my career, and have turned into many others that I look forward to sharing in later posts.

I’m Ayodeji Osindele, and I’m on an impact journey. Let’s connect in the next episodes of impact.