Can you design ‘creative confidence?’
“You can’t become a designer because you don’t know how to code”
“If you started a YouTube channel, it would probably fail”
“You seem to think you need to be senior” “just stay at your level”
“You’re not a graphic designer, how will you do UX”
…
When I was told these things, verbatim, I began to reflect on confidence as a topic, and why women (and others), can struggle to build it. After all, there are an abundance of books, courses and resources on the topic.
In my view, evaluation of others (and oneself) in hierarchies has always been part of human society. Given this history, I’ve developed a theory on how we can design a new system so that everyone — regardless of background, can feel more confident in their own abilities and their work.
👇 Here’s my theory 👇
Acknowledge that the global system is messed up
Designers think about the system in which a problem sits — whether they are graphic, UX, industrial etc. What bigger issue will this new logo solve? What bigger goal will this feature contribute to?
In this case, the problem is someone lacking confidence. However, I think we need to ask what bigger systemic issues contribute to someone lacking confidence? How were their forefathers treated by society? Are all senior-level stakeholders white men? Can this be overhauled, rather than blaming the individual, who is already set at a disadvantage?
While this won’t happen over night, we need to at least acknowledge it.
Seriously.
And redesign what you can control
On a more micro-level, you can design your environment to be more supportive of your achievement through asking yourself questions about the people and things around you. Does your manager or partner talk down to you? Do your friends talk down to you? Can you find a more inclusive workplace or partnership? Are you sabotaging yourself deliberately by staying in these dynamics? How can you be kind to yourself as you work to get out of these situations?
But also look inward
Most people have issues from childhood that carry into their present day experience. Like the beginning of the article, a lot of words from childhood bullies, parents, teachers and friends can really sting and stick with you for far too long. I learned the importance of wins tracking from the confidence coach Tiwa (LOVE her podcast). I’ve designed a Trello board where I write down all the kind things people have said to me, and great things I’ve accomplished everyday. Also, I’ve made a habit of journalling daily and going to therapy. Therapy helps with gaining perspective over the unkind words of others in the present, which can trigger issues from the past.
And realize its also normal to not be 100% certain all the time (and no one should judge you for that)
If I’ve learned anything in this life, it’s that no one is 100% sure of themselves or of anything regardless of what they tell you. Even if you do all the user research in the world, your project could still produce unexpected results.
Additionally, ‘confidence’ tends to build after completing a task numerous times through practice. If you are trying something new or challenging, you feel unsure not because you hate yourself, but because you are a sane human. Embrace it and keep going.
And that arrogance is not confidence (its insecurity)
And to those who boldly state things with no knowledge of a topic, refuse to ask questions, can’t handle feedback? Those who believe their learning is ‘done’ once they reach a certain level, and that they will never need mentorship again? That’s arrogance.
Confidence, is believing you can do something, and that even if you mess up you will figure it out. Arrogance, instead, is believing you are too good to acknowledge your own flaws as a human being who is infact not an AI.
And that people who say mean things are just mean
The phrases said to me at the beginning of this article are from people who are scared and insecure themselves. If you change, if you become more confident, this warps their entire perception of reality. Through changing, you are challenging them to be better too, and a lot of people don’t have the strength to become that.
This week…
I challenge you to think about one of these areas of your life. How can you redesign your confidence in it?
Let’s continue the conversation over on LinkedIn 👋
