​

Hey Right Brained Human 👋🏼 !

Welcome to another week of Being Right Brained – Inspiration and ideas for designers and creative folks to work, think, and feel better. (In case you missed my last newsletter, see the full archive of past editions here)

🎈A small request: If this email landed in your "Promotions" tab, please take a moment to drag it to the "Primary" tab. This will ensure that it reaches you on time and doesn't disappear into the abyss of emails.

The last few weeks have been pretty hectic! On the plus side, we got a new puppy 🐶 and spent a lot of time with our family. On the other hand, there are unfinished tasks, pending projects and I'm not moving as fast as I'd like.

And I started to wonder if I'm really good at what I do (you know, the feeling of being an imposter). This made me think about what makes a good designer

Sure, a great portfolio, good clients, and a strong network are important. But what struck me was that a good designer is someone who is resilient.

It's about being adaptable, learning from experience, and pushing through the ups and downs. And to be clear: Resilience isn't about being tough, it's about having the will to find a way.

I know resilience isn’t standard discourse in the design industry, but today I want to share with you 10 ideas on how to be resilient as a designer - How to survive and thrive in this fast-paced profession, how to turn setbacks into stepping stones, and how to feed your creative fire to feel, think, and work better!

9 Ideas on How to be a Resilient Designer 👇🏼

#1 Designers have a unique skill. They have to turn data points into a visual narrative. Not everyone can do that. To be a resilient designer, focus on nurturing and appreciating this uniqueness and not get emotionally attached to your work.
​
This helps in moving on gracefully when a project ends up being different than your original vision.

​

#2 When we go above and beyond the defined scope without additional compensation, it’s not resilience; it’s a sign of weak boundaries.

​

#3 In the late 1990s, Apple was on the brink of collapse. Amidst financial turmoil and internal conflicts, Jony Ive remained dedicated to his craft. With a daring spirit, he and his design team conjured the iMac, a technicolor revolution that gave Apple its groove back. But this tale isn’t just about triumph; it’s about resilience taking center stage, propelling innovation that reshaped the world.

​

#4 The pace of your creative pursuits will never slow down. And your to-do list will never get completed; if anything, it will only increase. When tasks pile up, it gets stressful.

To tackle and get through this, start by writing down just three things you can really get done today – like finishing a presentation, sending an important email, or getting client feedback.

In a nutshell, being honest with yourself about what you can do sets you up for success. So when the day ends and you close your laptop, you’ll feel good about what you’ve done instead of feeling bad about what’s left.

​

#5 I found a quote that explains resilience like nothing else

​

#6 A resilient designer uses ‘reframing’ as a tool. When things get tough, they don’t get stuck in frustration or disappointment, but mentally adjust their view of the situation.

For example, when dealing with a difficult client, they view the situation as an opportunity to demonstrate their expertise, gain the client’s trust, and ultimately produce exceptional work. Similarly, when faced with harsh feedback, they don’t take it personally and also see it as an opportunity to improve.

​

#7 In the creative industries, it’s not uncommon for plans to change and initiatives to stall. The bitter truth is that much of our work is never delivered, built, or presented.

Such situations are tough and can quickly turn into frustration and self-doubt.

Taking it with a pinch of salt and seeing it a little selfishly can help. Appreciate the value, learning, and wisdom it has brought you personally, and consider how you can use it to your advantage in the future.

​

#8 ’I need help,’ ‘I don’t know this,’ ‘I’m wrong,’ and ‘I want to learn this’ are some powerful phrases that make you resilient.

​

#9 Before the pandemic, when my team and I were dealing with tough client calls or tricky vendor stuff, we’d share a funny joke and all of us would crack up! It helped ease tension and gain a little perspective.

Injecting healthy humor during tough times is a secret ingredient to resilient designers.

👉🏼 In short, remember it's a long game!

Approach it like an explorer rather than an expert, connect with people, build relationships that support you, and offer support in return.

Acknowledge that it's hard and celebrate all wins, big or small. Most importantly, trust yourself and strive for growth.

Over to you now! ✨

p.s. - I am curating a list to guide aspiring designers and other creatives toward their ideal workplace. Can you help me spotlight individual contributors, design studios, and creative agencies in India and beyond? Here's the link to the form, it will take less than 4 minutes to fill ⚡️
​

In case you previously missed the 35 Creative Blocks Cheat Sheet, here you go!

​

Stay creative,
Apeksha
Right Brained Human

Note: In order to limit the information overload and to ensure that I share only the most valuable ideas and insights with you, I will be adjusting my newsletter frequency to twice a month instead of weekly.

​Unsubscribe | Update your profile | WeWork, Udyog Vihar, Gurugram, Delhi 122001