This week's newsletter is dedicated to Self-Taught Designers.

Self-taught designers are like fearless surfers riding massive waves. No fancy curriculum or hand-holding mentors. You rely on your gutsy determination to absorb knowledge and hone your skills. I'm a big fan!

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Here are 8 things for a self-taught designer to feel, think and work better:​
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🌻 Feel Better: Self-Discovery and Personal Growth​
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1. As a self-taught designer, being adaptable is key. You've gotta be able to switch gears and handle whatever comes your way. Staying open-minded is essential to managing the challenges that come with complex and critical thinking. And let's not forget about the relentless commitment that's needed for continuous learning.
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So, if you've ever taught yourself something new, give yourself a well-deserved pat on the back. You're doing great! 👏🏼

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2. Here's a list of some influential designers who never went to D-school.
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​🧠 Think Better: Perspectives, Mind Hacks and Brain Boosters

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3. Your job is not to make things pretty, but to find well-designed and thought-out solutions that work.
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4. Freelancing straight away may seem tempting, but consider an internship or organizational role for exposure to advanced design intellect. It's where learning truly materializes. 🤓
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5. I read this somewhere," EGO is a small 3-letter word that can destroy a big 11-letter word 'OPPORTUNITY.'" Being self-made can induce an inflated ego, blocking constructive criticism. Pay attention to it.

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​⚡️ Work Better: Tips and Strategies for Work Optimization

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6. Design has been around a lot longer than Photoshop. It's crucial to dive into the fundamentals. Begin by exploring the Gestalt principles of design and study historical art movements that changed design. While software skills are essential, they truly shine when built upon a strong foundation of design knowledge.
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7. When formal education isn't the conventional route, pursuing relevant, credible and advanced certifications can fill the skill and knowledge gaps through structured learning.

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8. Your portfolio will get you jobs. Take it seriously and show it to the world. To begin, I suggest building your portfolio on platforms like Dribbble or Behance, rather than rushing to set up your own website. These community-based platforms provide a greater chance of getting discovered by fellow designers and potential clients.

Social media platforms can be helpful too. An independent website is great, but it takes continued effort to build a large reach and audience. I know it's tempting, but let's wait :)

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👉🏼 Bottom line

There are moments in the self-taught journey when you feel like giving up. It can be frustrating and make you question if this path is worth it. But here's the thing: it's totally normal!

Becoming a proficient designer takes perseverance, patience, and time. It needs continuous practice and hard work.

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Remember, everyone has the will to win, but only a few prepare to win. 💭

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Lastly, in case you haven't already downloaded it, here's a link to The 35 Creative Blocks Cheat Sheet!​

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I promise to be back with fresh ideas next week! 🎈

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Stay creative,
Apeksha
Right Brained Human