Your Failures Don't Define You
Share my reflections on my design journey
We have two lives, and the second begins
when we realize we only have one.
Hey there,
From your perspective, I don’t know, what is fear of losing your job or being told that by your design director that you can't pursue a design career without formal education? Do you apply for jobs and don't hear back or are you being told that you're not the right fit?
Looking back over the past few years, you find yourself successful in your work! Does this mean that you were a failure all along? Absolutely not.
I've been there every step of the way, never giving up.
In this newsletter, I want to share my reflections on my design journey and provide some insights and tips that have helped me along the way.
Failure is a blessing and key to success
I used to be far from where I am now. I have experienced numerous failures and disappointments, but what's important is that I recognize those failures as opportunities for improvement and growth. I think it was in 2016 when I first started sharing my work on Instagram from 0, In the first two years of sharing my work, I didn't earn any money and I failed multiple times. Never give up.
What helped me was creating a plan and overcoming challenges, whether by learning a design system or winning a proposal. What matters more is how you approach failure and the actions you take.
Create your unique journey
I often receive messages asking, "How to become a designer?" I understand the aspiration but ask yourself why you want to pursue this path. Is it because a friend is a designer, someone praised your skills, or do you feel an inner calling?
Whatever you want to become, the most important questions to start with are:
Why do you want to become a designer?
What is your goal?
Whatever your answer is, maybe you want to become a UX/UI designer, and now it's time to create a path and stick with this.
The Right Approach Matters
Have you ever wondered why some designers share everything except their work and then complain about not getting clients? The answer lies in their approach. Posting content should have a purpose, whether it's building a following or attracting clients. If I were in your shoes and my goal was to earn more or work with 10 clients, then I would only care about sharing my work to attract clients, not followers or anything else.
Remember, you get what you give.
Trust the process & document
As a designer, what's most valuable to me is my work and experience. People want proof of your skills, and the best evidence is your work. They will find you based on your work, and then ask about your skills. Early in my career, I started sharing my regular work online - whether it was for my official job or client work. This helped me find more clients faster. Think of your work as a magnet that attracts new clients. It's proof of your skills.
Remember - your work speaks for itself. Focus on creating and sharing great work, and the clients will come to you.
In short, don't give up when you fail. Chase your passion and build recognition. Take steps according to your priorities. Always document your process.
Link Highlights
Handpicked links worth sharing.
"Hooked" and "The Win Without Pitching Manifesto" — These two books have really helped me become a better designer and think more like a businessperson. I highly recommend them to you.
7 Practical Tips for Cheating at Design — This is by far my favourite article, and it will guide you on improving your designs with practical tactics.
Grid Layout Kit — The ultimate grid system for websites, portfolios, dashboards, and app designs. It has everything you need to craft award-winning & pixel-perfect designs.
My Resources — I have listed the tools and apps I use. Everything is here, in case you want to know about my tools and resources.