3 Steps to Get Over the Designer’s Imposter Syndrome
By: Akshatha Nidharak
Tags: Design Thinking, Self Improvement, Self-awareness, Imposter Syndrome, Designer

How often have you felt feelings of severe inadequacy and self-doubt as a designer? Have you ever feared that you will be exposed as a “fraud” in your workplace? Well turns out you are not alone! Several high achieving people like Emma Watson and Michelle Obama have been vocal about going through this feeling!

What’s the syndrome all about?

You may feel you don’t belong to the design field or aren’t a good enough designer or only got this far by luck. Your experience of doing well does little to change your belief. This vicious cycle of self-doubt and self-sabotage can lead to constant anxiety. This syndrome isn’t confined to the design community alone; any working or social being can go through this experience.

You may feel those around you have better knowledge than you. The pressure to achieve in a competent and ever-growing field can get to you. Design as a discipline can get very demanding, challenging, and complex. And oh, you are surrounded by supremely creative designers and heads.

Chances are you feel your experience and abilities are no match.

Moreover, the subjectiveness of the field and vortex of personal opinions may have you palpitating at your desk!

Well, you are not alone dear friend! More than 70% of the population has experienced this at least once in their professional life.

Studies have shown that when you hear that someone around you has been in the same boat as you at some point in their life, it helps you conquer your fears.

So let me go ahead and share one of the many instances of this nerve-wracking syndrome.

I was in a transitional phase in my career. I had decided to move on from being an entrepreneur to taking up full-time employment with a company. And as chance and luck could have it, I took this decision when the Covid pandemic had just broken out. Stability became the need of the hour for me! And… You guessed it right, I had a severe case of Imposter Syndrome.

Browsing Dribbble and Pinterest, reading the foot-long job descriptions, and going through some kickass portfolios only added fuel to the fire. Add in a dollop of the pandemic situation and it was just a little too much to take in.

I was so scared that I am not ready for the job market, that I worked twice as hard on everything I was doing to prepare for the job search.

I started compensating for my lack of confidence by reading UX blogs, learning new tools and techniques, books and videos. Turns out, I ended up learning a lot. And I learned faster than ever.

My feeling of not being ready for the industrial standards helped me be more focused and driven.

Until that day arrived where I not only bagged multiple offers, I had positive post-interview feedback. People wanted to hire and work with me. And since this sense of being grounded and a forever learner got imbibed in me somewhere down the line, it helped me transform into a humble, passionate, and meticulous designer!

So I would like to pen down my top 3 tips to help you not feel like an imposter:

1. There is no such thing as perfectionism

Image source : Dilbert comics

Mistakes are an inevitable part of life. As preachy as it sounds, it is what it is. Nobody is perfect!

Learning to accept that not everything is in your control and things can go wrong will give you mental strength and a sense of self-esteem.

2. Know you can get up after a fall

Source: giphy.com

Let’s face reality. You will falter at some point. It’s inevitable when collaborating or working with people. So get up, dust yourself, and move forward.

Actual failure is when you stop believing in yourself.

You are where you are because someone believed in you, could be your team lead or your client, or the hiring manager. They saw something in you that led them to make you a part of their team, organization, or project. Always remember that.

3. Own and celebrate achievements

Even the small victories should call for a celebration. Treat yourself to your favorite meal, movie, or pamper routine. Whatever makes you happy and relaxed. It will help avoid burnout, give a feeling of contentment and boost your self-confidence.