I def don’t fit in with a lot designers and it did make me question if there was something wrong with me or if this field wasn’t the right fit. But now, while I do call myself as a designer (for branding and advertising purposes mostly), I see myself more as a creative, which encompasses a lot more than just UX design (although now I want to add ‘misfit’ at the end of that). My purpose isn’t living in Figma and trying to create the best prototypes, I want to be a creative asses to my communities and be able to express myself and help others bring their visions to life.
This 100%! I’ve always described design as being the closest fit for me but was never the best fit, for all the reasons you listed. So glad others feel the same!
this really hit home, Maureen. the brick-and-mortar analogy is such a great way to think about it. And I love your take on AI—not as a threat, but as something that could free us up to focus on the human side of design. Excited to keep following your writing—thank you for sharing this! 😊
I used to be a brick designer (given how I grew up with rigid academic path) until I started working in early stage startups I find myself more of a mortar designer. I call myself multidisciplinary designer because I’m interested in too many things, seems like mortar designer fits as well
I def don’t fit in with a lot designers and it did make me question if there was something wrong with me or if this field wasn’t the right fit. But now, while I do call myself as a designer (for branding and advertising purposes mostly), I see myself more as a creative, which encompasses a lot more than just UX design (although now I want to add ‘misfit’ at the end of that). My purpose isn’t living in Figma and trying to create the best prototypes, I want to be a creative asses to my communities and be able to express myself and help others bring their visions to life.
totally resonate with this <3
I’ve always been a rebel if I do say so myself. Thanks for this read, this puts things in perspective.
Also, soft skills is a misnomer: https://www.forbes.com/sites/danpontefract/2023/03/27/its-about-time-we-abandoned-the-term-soft-skills/
interesting article - thanks so much for sharing!
Love the blog banner and such an amazing read! You might like this piece from Luis Ouriach too: https://read.cv/disco_lu/craft
Thanks for sharing this!
ah, great read! thanks so much for sharing!
This 100%! I’ve always described design as being the closest fit for me but was never the best fit, for all the reasons you listed. So glad others feel the same!
I've been reading comments here and on LinkedIn and turns out: many people feel this way! It's quite a relief - cheers <3
this really hit home, Maureen. the brick-and-mortar analogy is such a great way to think about it. And I love your take on AI—not as a threat, but as something that could free us up to focus on the human side of design. Excited to keep following your writing—thank you for sharing this! 😊
I used to be a brick designer (given how I grew up with rigid academic path) until I started working in early stage startups I find myself more of a mortar designer. I call myself multidisciplinary designer because I’m interested in too many things, seems like mortar designer fits as well