🤔 Being a "Different Designer" · The Bunker #76
Should I be different? But how? But why? Alright, let's talk about that.
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A Newsletter in which we talk about UX Design and the Freelance Journey, dedicated to those who are starting out in both worlds and who feel identified.
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Have you ever heard the phrase "Be yourself"?
We are often told that we should be original and unique. But, is that really what we do?
In reality, we tend to reward those who follow the beaten path, those who do the same as everyone else.
Those who follow the known path, the ones capable of saying "this is the right one, this is the good one".
This is because we tend to feel comfortable with the familiar and the predictable
And this happens in design, how many times have you been told "this is not a good idea, or this is too far from what we are looking for."
So, despite what we say, many times we reward the "clones" instead of the innovators.
In short, what they are telling you is to make the same interface with the four simple boxes that are already known
And in a way, I understand it, taking risks sometimes means investing in time and resources
But then how do they expect us to be different designers, or to break the barrier above the common, if they themselves make us go back to the common or the known
And over time, with the comments we have been receiving, even we as designers don't waste time innovating
After all, we already know the answer, so we unconsciously go for the safe option
The Paradox of Conformity
The paradox here is that, although we say we value originality, social structures often favor conformity.
This is reflected in many areas of life, from education to work, even in music.
But if a point came where all the songs were the same
People who dare to be different often face resistance and challenges.
This can lead to a lack of recognition and opportunities for those who wish to follow a less conventional path.
Sometimes they are even subject to comments like "this won't work." "Don't get carried away"
Sometimes without even having given the opportunity
Reasons behind this paradox
So, why do we continue to reward clones instead of innovators? There are several reasons behind this.
First, social pressures and the need to fit in can lead us to settle for what is accepted by the majority.
Additionally, people often fear rejection and being different, which can lead them to choose the safe path.
Also, the industry and the market often bet on what has already worked before, making it difficult for original ideas to succeed.
How many times have you heard the phrase "let's do this because it works." "Don't reinvent the wheel, if something already works."
Breaking the cycle
So, how can we change this and start rewarding originality?
The first thing I would say is to recognize the importance of supporting those who dare to be different and brave in their choices.
This implies rewarding diversity of thought and above all, celebrating people who challenge established norms.
Also, as designers, we must dare to be authentic and follow our own paths, even if that means being different.
Also, a doctor will always tell you that by nature there are no two identical brains. Therefore, there are no two identical people either.
Therefore, if there are no two identical people, there are no two identical designers either.
That is, we are born as different designers. But it is us on the path that end up homogenizing ourselves with the rest.
You are born different, but you make the effort to be the same, but then you complain about how you can be different. But if you already are by nature. (?)
And the big question of all: Is there really a need to be creatively different?
Hm, no. I don't think so.
I also think that there is a very unnecessary pressure to try to make every designer different, and I don't think it is necessary at all.
I am one of those who believes that everything has already been invented
But I am also one of those who believes that you have to contribute something different every time you do something
I am one of those who says: You are as good as the good references you have
You can copy the other, but try to bring something new to what you copy.
And over time, you will do it more automatically and you will identify certain patterns in your designs that will end up determining your "own style":
Conclusion
In short, society often says that we should reward those who are different, but we often end up rewarding those who follow the crowd.
Breaking this cycle requires a change of mindset and a willingness to support those who dare to be original.
So, the next time you see someone standing out for being different, remember that it is precisely that originality that deserves to be rewarded.
I’m thrilled to announce that I can finally announce Koala UI. Koala is the project I have been working on for the past 8 months.
Koala UI is a Design System built for users who are looking to create uniquely beautiful websites with highly converting structures and SEO optimization.
Download now: koalaui.com
If you are interested on making a living with Content Creation, I’m thrilled to announce that I’ve recently release my book: From $0 to $10.000 on client projects with only 10.000 followers on Instagram”.
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📕 The Ultimate Guide to Choose the Right Typeface · Workbook
🧠 Second Brain for Creatives · Free Download
📕 Typography is for everbody™ · Free Download
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