As someone who has called himself a designer for the better part of my existence, I’d like to share 26 things that have helped me hone my craft, expand my understanding of design, and grow both personally and professionally in the field.
Of course, there are more than 26 things that should be included in a list like this. These may not even be the most groundbreaking things to pay attention to. But for the sake of making a nifty A–Z list that is click baity enough to spark interest on this platform—and also gets to feature my wife’s beautiful artwork—this will have to suffice.
After nearly 15 years in this industry, it has become quite apparent to me that design has a problem we rarely talk about. Access. It is the unspoken entry ticket to the design world — a baseline that’s often taken for granted by those already practising in the field. Let’s talk about the basic requirements to even enter this industry; A functioning laptop, decent software, a stable internet connection. While these might seem basic to most of us, they represent the first barrier between talent and opportunity, and they are unfortunately things that are still inaccessible to millions of people.
Beyond tools and technology, access to people, networks, and institutions shapes what opportunities even appear on your horizon. If you’re a young designer, take stock of the access you currently have and consider how you can expand it — whether through seeking out mentors, resources, or communities that can help open doors or provide opportunities to learn and work. If you’re a seasoned designer, think about how you can expand access for those who lack it.