10 Uncomfortable Truths Every Designer Should Hear

Contributor - Bhavana Ramesh
November 21, 2024
6 min read

The Real Talk Every Designer Needs to Have with Themselves

The Honest Side of Design

Every designer has been there: staring at a project that, despite its elegance, just doesn’t quite work. Behind every breathtaking piece of design is a journey of trial and error, growth and realization. Design is more than a job; it’s a series of revelations and uncomfortable truths that push you to be better. If you’re ready to see design from a new, rawer perspective, here are ten messages you need to hear. They might sting, but each will get you closer to the heart of what truly makes a great design.

1. Design Is Not Just About Aesthetics

It’s a common misconception: people see design as purely decorative, an add-on to make a product or space look good. In reality, design is about solving problems, enhancing usability, and creating solutions that work seamlessly. Imagine a sleek coffee machine that doesn’t show when it’s out of water—looks great, but fails in usability. Apple, renowned for design, is about more than just beauty; the intuitive layout, ergonomic shape, and efficient functionality of the iPhone set it apart, proving that aesthetics are only half the equation.

Key takeaway: Aesthetic appeal is essential, but design exists to serve a purpose. Don’t get lost in the look; keep your design grounded in usability.

2. Less Is Often More

Simplicity is powerful, yet challenging. Adding more is easy; stripping away what’s unnecessary takes discernment. The Bauhaus movement revolutionized design by championing minimalism with the mantra “form follows function.” Overloading a webpage with flashy animations and intricate fonts might seem exciting, but it overwhelms users. Google’s homepage remains iconic for its clean, almost barren look, putting all the focus on search. This simplicity allows users to navigate intuitively, emphasizing the purpose without distractions.

Key takeaway: Embrace minimalism and restraint in your designs. Each element should serve a purpose, enhancing the design rather than cluttering it.

3. Your Design Isn’t for Everyone

We live in a world where hyper-personalization is king. Yet, many designers still fall into the trap of trying to appeal to everyone, resulting in diluted work. Design isn’t about universal appeal but targeted resonance. Airbnb’s rebranding, for example, wasn’t intended to cater to all but focused on connecting travelers with local hosts in a personal, community-driven way. The resulting aesthetic attracted their specific user base without trying to capture everyone.

Key takeaway: Design with a specific audience in mind. Understand the users and make intentional choices that resonate deeply with them rather than trying to please everyone.

4. Feedback Is a Gift, Not a Criticism

As designers, we tend to get emotionally attached to our work, so critique can sting. But feedback is one of the most powerful tools for growth. Pixar famously uses “braintrusts”—open, feedback-heavy sessions where anyone can comment on a project, offering ideas and critiques. These sessions have helped create some of the studio’s most beloved films. When you shift your perspective to see feedback as an asset, it can push you toward a better version of your work.

Key takeaway: Embrace feedback as a tool for improvement. Let it push you to refine your designs and reach new heights.

5. Perfection Is the Enemy of Good

How many projects linger in the “almost done” phase? The quest for perfection can be paralyzing. The process of refinement is essential, but knowing when to release a design is equally important. Think about startups and their “minimum viable product” (MVP) approach—launching quickly with a good-enough version and iterating based on real-world feedback. Some of the most successful digital products—like Instagram—started as MVPs and improved with time and user feedback.

Key takeaway: Strive for excellence but know when to release. Perfection can hinder progress, while iteration breeds growth.

6. You Don’t Know Everything

No matter how experienced you are, there’s always room for learning. The design world evolves quickly—new technologies, materials, and user needs emerge constantly. IDEO, the global design company, champions a “beginner’s mindset,” a philosophy that encourages curiosity and humility, even among senior designers. It’s through this openness that IDEO has innovated on everything from healthcare solutions to sustainable products.

Key takeaway: Stay open to learning and collaboration. The best design ideas often come from diverse inputs, not solitary expertise.

7. Design Is Not Always Linear

Design isn’t a straight line from idea to execution; it’s a winding road filled with twists, dead-ends, and surprises. Projects rarely go as planned, and sometimes the best designs come from iterations and unexpected turns. Consider the design process behind the early Mac computers. The team at Apple went through countless prototypes and discarded ideas before landing on the final, groundbreaking design. Instead of fearing non-linearity, see it as an opportunity for creativity.

Key takeaway: Embrace flexibility and iterative design. The journey itself can spark ideas that lead to even better solutions.

8. Your Design Choices Have Consequences

Every choice a designer makes has real-world effects, from user accessibility to environmental impact. Designing a new app interface? Your color choices could either include or exclude those with color blindness. Creating packaging? The materials you choose impact the environment. IKEA has embraced eco-conscious design by creating sustainable furniture and committing to renewable resources. Designers hold immense responsibility; your work can either aid inclusivity and sustainability or overlook them entirely.

Key takeaway: Design with awareness of ethical and environmental consequences. The impact of your design reaches far beyond the user.

9. You’re Not Always Right

Humility is an invaluable trait in design. In a field driven by ideas and feedback, no single viewpoint should dominate. Designers who acknowledge that they may not have all the answers are more receptive to insights that can enhance their work. Take any great design firm; they’ll tell you that collaboration and openness to critique are foundational to success. Good design comes from listening, not just leading.

Key takeaway: Cultivate humility. Being receptive to new perspectives strengthens both you and your designs.

10. Design Is Hard

Design can look effortless in the final product, but make no mistake: it’s challenging work. Each project comes with its own set of constraints, requiring intense focus and problem-solving. Designers at Dyson, for instance, spend years testing and iterating vacuum prototypes. The result? Products that feel intuitive and nearly perfect. Great design doesn’t just happen—it’s forged through hard work, experimentation, and resilience.

Key takeaway: Persevere through the challenges. Design may be hard, but the rewards of successful, impactful work make it worth the effort.

Embracing the Hard Truths of Design

These ten truths are the unpolished, real-world lessons every designer encounters. They remind us that design isn’t about creating pretty things but about thoughtful, impactful work that solves real problems. Embracing the complexity of design—its ethical implications, iterative nature, and challenges—is what sets good designers apart from great ones.

Collaborate with Bang Design

At Bang Design, we understand that the path to great design is paved with insights, learning, and tough truths. If you’re ready to partner with a team that values the depth and complexity of design, let’s work together. Bring your vision, and we’ll bring our expertise, commitment, and a shared belief in design’s power to transform.

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