Like many other industries, the design profession has experienced significant change over the past decade. As someone who chose this career on a whim and experienced its numerous hurdles, I can confidently tell you that the future of the design profession hinges on accessibility and the industry’s ability to nurture newcomers.
The landscape has shifted dramatically towards design democratization and creating a more vibrant and inclusive professional community. However, systematic gatekeeping has deluded progress across multiple layers of the industry. Gatekeeping is limiting or restricting access to information, resources, or opportunities. In the context of creative professions, it is knowledge hoarding to maintain a competitive edge, creating barriers to entry that prevent newcomers from entering the industry or other exclusionary practices. This conduct is not only counterproductive and harmful to the industry; it is entirely reprehensible.
The Need for Inclusive Design Education and Mentorship
Debbie Levitt’s “Let’s Talk About Gatekeeping in UX” addresses a contentious issue in the UX industry. The perception of senior-level designers as gatekeepers, especially towards newcomers, is prevalent. Levitt argues that the real problem lies in the flawed state of education. Many learning systems fail to provide the necessary skills and knowledge, leading to a flood of unqualified individuals in the market.
However, Levitt emphasizes the importance of standards in the industry. While everyone should be able to enter the field, not everyone might be suited for it. Instead of gatekeeping, senior designers could use this opportunity to better equip and guide newcomers.
Effective education and resources are not just about imparting skills; they’re about building a community. A community where seasoned professionals guide novices, where collaboration supersedes competition, and where every design, regardless of its origin, is valued. When teaching holistic design, the systems used must be intuitive and accessible. Traditional design education fails to exemplify either of these principles. Streamlining these processes or creating new, user-friendly methodologies can bridge the gap between novices and experts, fostering collaboration and mutual growth.
In her article “Breaking Barriers in Design,” Arielle Wiltz highlights a startling statistic: only 20.1% of designers in the U.S. are people of color. This disparity is even more alarming, considering that by 2040, over half of the U.S. population will be people of color. Wiltz’s experiences as the only black person in her college design classes further underscore the biases and challenges designers of color experience.
Gatekeeping in design is a formidable barrier for underrepresented groups, perpetuating a cycle of exclusion and limiting the diversity of perspectives in the industry. When opportunities and resources are restricted based on arbitrary criteria, it disproportionately affects those from marginalized backgrounds. For instance, designers of color, women, or those from non-traditional educational backgrounds might find their skills and contributions undervalued or overlooked entirely. This not only stifles individual potential but also deprives the design community of fresh, innovative ideas that arise from diverse experiences. Over time, this exclusion leads to a homogenized industry, where designs lack the richness and depth that come from varied cultural, social, and personal backgrounds.
Mentorship, accessibility, and inclusive design education are crucial for our industry’s long-term relevance and societal impact. Wiltz is just one of many other designers rallying for the community to proactively build a diverse and inclusive environment. If creative professionals want the value and principles of good design to be widely shared and respected, that wisdom must be open and available to all. Design is an inherently human craft that few have the time or ability to master, yet all should be afforded the opportunity to understand and appreciate its profound impact.
Balancing Design Excellence & Democratization
Tobias van Schneider’s “The Threatening but Beautiful Democratization of Design” sheds light on the evolution of designers from being mere digital artisans to leaders in tech companies. Democratization is a double-edged sword. While it has expanded the design market, it also impacts its overall effectiveness and quality. The value offered by design experts seems diminished when platforms offer similar services at a fraction of the cost. Yet, as van Schneider points out, this democratization provides vast opportunities for those willing to adapt and evolve.
Even so, design should not be restricted to a select few. Design democratization is necessary for the continued vibrancy and relevance of these professions. While tools like Canva and Adobe Express have made design more accessible across business environments, tools alone are not enough. Access and adoption of good design methodologies will be key to the success of democratization.
Many grapple with the challenge of equipping their teams to create design assets without diluting brand integrity. Enter Canva, a tool that, when used strategically, can democratize design while preserving the brand's essence. To the designers, marketing directors, and other stakeholders apprehensive about this shift, embracing such platforms is not a threat but an opportunity.
Streamlined Brand Kit: Canva's brand kit feature allows businesses to set and lock specific brand elements like logos, color palettes, and fonts. By centralizing these elements, you ensure that any design created aligns with the brand's visual identity. This not only maintains consistency but also simplifies the design process for non-designers.
Templates: Canva is widely known for its vast library of customizable templates, but its greater strength is the ability to offer pre-branded templates. Experienced designers can craft a range of approved templates for various use cases – be it social media posts, presentations, or brochures. Staff can then adapt these templates to their needs, ensuring the core design remains consistent with the brand's aesthetic.
Approvals and Collaboration: Canva's collaborative features allow for real-time feedback and edits. Furthermore, admins can restrict the output of materials made in Canva by requiring approvals before users attempt to share their work. These features allow you to review, comment, and guide non-design staff in refining their creations. This collaborative approach ensures quality control, reduces iterations, and fosters a culture of learning and knowledge sharing.
Freeing Up Designers for High-Level Tasks: By empowering non-design staff to handle routine tasks, designers can focus on more strategic, high-level projects. This doesn't diminish the role of designers; instead, it elevates them to positions where their expertise can have a broader impact.
Democratizing design systems with tools like Canva doesn't threaten the sanctity of a brand or the role of designers. Instead, it harnesses the collective creativity of an organization while maintaining a consistent brand voice. By setting clear guidelines and avenues for collaboration, businesses can ensure their brand integrity remains intact while enhancing responsiveness, efficiency, and innovation.
Shared Knowledge is the Heartbeat of Progress
It’s easy to forget the value of shared knowledge. We often find ourselves in a race to be the best, to know the most, and to keep our secrets close to our chest. But the key to unlocking creativity and innovation isn’t what you keep to yourself but what you share with others.
The true hallmark of a great designer lies in their willingness to share and foster a sense of community. When seasoned designers take the time to impart their wisdom, they're not just teaching a skill; they're ensuring the industry's longevity.
I recently had the privilege of attending a workshop hosted by Dribbble featuring the iconic Aaron Draplin. Known for his vibrant designs and larger-than-life personality, Draplin delved deep into his process for logo development and project organization. The insights and techniques he shared were invaluable, providing attendees with a fresh perspective on design. But what set Draplin apart wasn't just the content of his workshop; it was his genuine love for the design community and the willingness to support his peers.
After the formal session concluded, Draplin stuck around for several hours. He answered questions, critiqued portfolios, and provided insight and actionable feedback. This wasn't just a professional sharing his expertise; this was authentic mentorship. Such gestures might seem small in the grand scheme of things, but they have profound benefits such as:
Mutual Confidence: When professionals generously share their time, they build community trust. Attendees don't just see them as industry leaders; they see them as approachable mentors who genuinely care about their growth. For new designers, these interactions build confidence within themselves and with those who have more experience.
Collaborative Excellence: Design thrives on collaboration. Taking opportunities to share knowledge and insights reinforces the pivotal role of community in the design process. It's not just about learning new techniques; it's about honing our creations against the collective viewpoints, values, and ethics of those around us. Our best work comes from collaboration, not isolation.
Continuous Learning: The design landscape is ever-evolving. When seasoned professionals share their insights, they emphasize the importance of continuous learning and adaptation in the field. Designers need to fuel their sense of wonder and curiosity that allows them to establish connections between things that others may not. Like any other craft, practice produces unique and inspiring work.
Collaboration is more than just working together; it’s about building on each other’s strengths, learning from their experiences, and pushing boundaries together. It’s about recognizing that the collective brainpower of a group is always greater than an individual’s. A technique you’ve mastered might be the missing piece for another designer struggling with a project. By sharing, you’re helping others and setting the stage for innovation.
How Can We Enhance the Sustainability of the Design Profession?
Embrace a Growth Mindset: Understand there’s always something new to learn and ideas worth exploring.
Expand Your Connections: Participate in groups, workshops, and organizations beyond your field of expertise. Engage and share insights with individuals from diverse fields and backgrounds.
Celebrate Your Peers: View your peers as collaborators, not competition. Celebrate their success and learn from their experiences.
Stop Gatekeeping: Document your knowledge and share it with the world. Why? Because creativity thrives on collaboration, not exclusion.
References:
Arielle Wiltz. (2019). Breaking Barriers in Design.
Tobias van Schneider. (2020). The Threatening but Beautiful Democratization of Design.
Debbie Levitt. (2020). Let’s Talk About Gatekeeping in UX.