What does it mean to be a mature designer?
Mature designers aren’t satisfied with superficial designs. They are user-centered. They might be good at visual design, but they know design isn’t just beautiful mockups.
Mature designers strive for meaningful solutions. They value creativity and innovation. They spend time figuring out the right problems to solve.
Mature designers think broadly. They don’t just look at what competitors are doing and do the same thing. They won’t feel compelled to create something similar just because the competitor suddenly makes a move to change to their design. They have a clear vision that allows the product they design one-up their competitor’s.
Mature designers don’t just fix their eyes on the titles. They put design above self-promotion. They don’t see each presentation only as a chance to get exposure and to peddle visuals. They don’t see themselves as Steve Jobs about to release an Apple product. They care about substance, not empty words.
Mature designers don’t create a productive facade for themselves by hiring contract designers, outsourcing design work to them and then taking credit of their work, or other designers’ work, when things are done.
Mature designers know that hierarchy sometimes can promote groupthink and stifle creativity. They pay attention to how easy it is for creative ideas to bubble up.
Mature designers don’t see design critiques as opportunities to show off seniority. They don’t have an inflated ego or a false sense of superiority just because the product they designed is used by millions of users in the world.
Mature designers don’t blindly agree with those who are more senior than them.
Mature designers care about good designs, and thrive in a down-to-earth design team.
