Imagine yourself at a masquerade ball. You’re wearing a beautiful ornate mask and an absolutely stunning outfit that everyone keeps complimenting you for. However, despite the compliments and the fact that you look the part you can’t shake the feeling that you don’t belong here. Inside, you’re convinced you’re just pretending and that someone will soon unmask you as a fraud. This sense of being out of place and unworthy, even when others see you as successful, that’s the vicious cycle that is imposter syndrome.
Imposter syndrome is incredibly prevalent in the design world. Go do a search for imposter syndrome and design and you’ll get back hundreds of articles, videos, and talks about it. So many of us seem to be asking “am I actually good at this?” We feel as if we’re undeserving of our achievements and esteem. That we aren’t as intelligent or competent as our colleagues and bosses seem to think we are.
This can stem from many different places for different people. Age, seniority level, gender, ethnicity, or even our basic mental health can all contribute to this feeling.
Why Designers Are Vulnerable to Imposter Syndrome
Designers are particularly susceptible to this phenomenon because our skills rely heavily on how creative we can be and are judged subjectively. Unlike being an accountant where proficiency can be objectively measured through clear metrics, the value of design is far harder to quantify. On top of that, the industry is in a constant state of change and evolution that we’re all trying to stay on top of. This makes it very easy for designers to feel unsure about their abilities and worthiness, even when their talents are evident to everyone else.
Imposter syndrome doesn’t just manifest as a fear of being exposed as a fraud; it can impact designers in several serious ways. The anxiety of failing and being “found out” can seriously undermine a designer’s confidence, making them hesitant to speak up with ideas or to take on challenging projects. This same fear can stifle creativity, leading to uninspired work and a reluctance to explore innovative solutions. The additional stress all of this can compound the already existing stresses of the job, often resulting in exhaustion and burnout.
I’ll be completely up front with you. I’m sitting here writing this article feeling like I don’t belong here (which might explain why this article is late). It isn’t everyday that I feel this way and some days are worse than others but it is something I struggle with more often than not. Over time, though, I’ve found a few ways to deal with it in the moment and a few ways to boost your confidence in your abilities in general.
Acknowledge the feeling
It’s easier said than done but allowing yourself to acknowledge the way you feel will allow you to recognize the feeling earlier on in the process and utilize some of the following techniques. If you don’t realize what you’re feeling until you’re deep in a panic or depression, it will be that much harder to get yourself back out of it.
Talk about it
As mentioned at the beginning of the article, more designers feel this way than don’t so talking with your co-workers about it can do a lot to alleviate the feeling of inadequacy. Not only unburdening yourself but hearing others do the same can help you to see that a lot of us are in the same boat. Surely we can’t all be frauds.
Get Feedback
Anxiety only grows when there is an unknown so getting feedback frequently can help to let you know where you stand. This can be overall feedback on how you’re doing from your boss or specific feedback on work you’re doing with co-workers. Either way, the more information you have on how people see your work, the less likely that creeping doubt will return.
Remember why you’re here in the first place
Most of us didn’t accidentally find ourselves in this profession. Most of us got here because we love design. Remembering that can help get you out of the spiral of anxiety that leads to feeling like a fraud.
Keep Learning
The more you know about the work you’re doing and how to execute it well, the more confident you’ll be. Take an online course, read a design book on a topic you feel like you could improve on. Do anything to increase your knowledge and your confidence level will improve.
Be Nice to Yourself
Imposter Syndrome can lead to a lot of negative self-talk like “I’m not good enough” or “my colleague’s work is better than mine.” When this happens stop, take a step back or a step away from your work, observe what’s happening around and with in you, and then ask yourself “was any of that actually true?” Doing this might seem silly but it gives your brain something else to latch onto for a few minutes which a lot of the time is enough to short circuit the negative self talk fairly quickly.
In the design world, where subjective judgment and creativity are essential, imposter syndrome can feel particularly intense. But it’s important to remember that these feelings, while difficult to deal with, are something that are experienced by many in the design industry.
Addressing imposter syndrome involves both understanding how it affects you and actively working to build an environment where you are supported both by your colleagues as well as yourself. Engaging in conversations with peers, seeking regular feedback, and reconnecting with your initial passion for design can provide valuable perspective and reassurance. Additionally, committing to ongoing learning and practicing self-compassion can bolster your confidence and counteract self-doubt.
For most, these strategies won’t completely remove imposter syndrome. It will be something that you need to work on consistently. But, if you allow yourself to embrace your achievements and foster resilience and self-compassion within yourself, you can navigate these feelings and thrive in your work.
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