4 Things They Don’t Tell You About a Career in Design

Deciding to pursue my interest in design is one of the best decisions I have ever made. Along the way, I have gleaned some insights worth sharing about the journey.

Most people hear “designer” and think “artist” or “product design” or “UX” or “graphic design” or “interior design.” Human-centered design is generally not top of mind. Because there are so many different design disciplines, people may not quite understand what it is you do or how to help. People also might not know how best to support you. The good news is that there is a tribe of fellow designers out there just like you.

As someone with a MA in Design Leadership, I advocate for designers to have more seats at the table and have more of a voice in leadership conversations. The vision, strategy, and overall conversation will always be different with human-centered designers involved because we tackle challenges from atypical perspectives. Let me make incorrect assumptions. The work of design leaders will always speak for itself.

While there may be some overlap, being a human-centered designer is different from being a graphic designer. In organizations who do not understand design as a strategic approach to problem-solving, you might be asked to design in a silo and create journey maps, personas, PowerPoint slides, and infographics more than you are asked to provide input on the overall strategic visioning and design process.

Because there are so many options for career paths, it may not always be clear what your calling is or what steps to take next. Also, the journey will likely be messy and have plenty of ups and downs. However, with courage and persistence, you can build the design career of your dreams and create space for you to thrive.