It’s a constant source of discussion in our industry. The two words often make it into the same sentence – for all the wrong reasons.
“Ego” and “Designer”.
Over and over again, there’s negativity and skepticism attached – a sense that because designers are opinionated (let’s not forget – it’s part of the reason they are as good as they are) they appear to some to be holier than thou.
Design, in any medium or form, is a sign of individual tastes which (again) are influenced by any number of factors ranging from, but not limited to, a natural predisposition to upbringing and education. It is particularly difficult to work for a living in any design-oriented field as clients and associates will often have opinions and suggestions that run contrary to your own vision as a designer. It need not matter if these critics possess the training or the skill to spot good kitchen and bathroom design from bad; the mere fact that design produces an emotional response also causes them to be opinionated.
Not all clients are perfect; but the goal must be to seek out clients who can share your vision and engage in a relationship where there is mutual appreciation for one another.
But what about those who have shown bald-faced boldness for the norm and the views of peers alike, yet have succeeded? I certainly don’t deny these individuals exist and, in some instances, they produce brilliant work which is universally admired. But they are the rare exception, not the standard towards which a designer should stridently aim. A someone quite rightly said, it is like aiming to be Picasso: many have tried, most have starved!
Despite what may have been paraded around previously, ego-driven design is hardly successful – in business, or in creative zest. Learning to manage your ego plus recognising there are no absolutes in design and everything is open to interpretation and change are the hallmarks of a good designer.
Ego, controlled ego, is a good thing. It’s when rampant and unnecessary opinions and actions rise above the individual’s design ability, then we find a situation where the ego has become bigger than the talent.
Any thoughts?
