12 Things I Learned My First Year of Design School
I recently finished my first year of design school and let me tell you, it was a whirlwind. I can’t help but look back in awe and gratitude for the memories I made and the challenges I had to overcome. I’ve grown leaps and bounds in just one year, but it wasn’t easy. Through every single project and class, the traits of a designer were drilled into me. Time management became my secret weapon, imperfection turned into a hidden gem, and my inner critic slowly faded away as I learned to think like a designer. Now, whether you’re a seasoned pro, nodding your head in agreement and thinking, “Oh, the lessons I’ve learned,” or an aspiring designer, eagerly anticipating the rollercoaster ride ahead, this one’s for you. Here are the 12 most important things I learned during my first year of design school.
1. Perfection in Unachievable
Picture this: countless late nights spent in the studio, a sea of empty coffee cups, and the relentless urge to perfect every single detail. Despite the well-meaning advice from professors and TAs, I found it nearly impossible to resist the allure of chasing perfection. Being a perfectionist, it’s tough to know where to draw the line. The truth is, there will always be more to add to a project, another layer to apply, and lines to darken. But here’s what I learned: finding that delicate balance between refinement and completion will keep you sane and help you keep your priorities in order.
2. Taking Breaks is Important
I am no stranger to blank canvas syndrome and task paralysis. There were countless times where I felt stuck and out of ideas. It was in moments like these that I realized the best thing I could do for myself was to step away for a bit or find a different environment to work in. Whether that meant going to grab a cup of coffee, working on another assignment, or simply spending time with friends, it helped me feel energized again. One of my favorite memories was when I brought my picnic blanket and sketchbook to the tennis courts to ideate while I watched my roommate play tennis. I did it mainly to make good use of time, but that calming environment led me to some great ideas that turned into one of my favorite projects to date. One of the main causes of feeling your creative well run dry is creative burnout, so it’s good to take a step back sometimes. Of course, we all know that deadlines have their own sense of urgency, but whenever possible, consider allowing yourself to think about something other than design for a moment. After all, haven’t we all heard the expression to “look at something with fresh eyes”?
3. If You Want to Grow, You Have to Put Aside Your Ego
Let’s address something that many of us struggle with—putting our egos aside and embracing the support of others. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Your peers, those fellow design enthusiasts sitting beside you, can often be your greatest allies. They might possess knowledge and expertise in areas you’re still exploring. And guess what? You have the potential to be a source of assistance for them when the need arises. Remember that everyone in that classroom shares the same position as you. We’re all on this journey of growth together, and it’s through fostering camaraderie and exchanging knowledge that we’ll thrive. So, let go of that ego, embrace vulnerability, and see what happens when we support and uplift one another.
4. If You Can’t Take Criticism, Design Might Not be For You
Is it easy to listen to people tell you everything you did wrong on something you spent weeks on? No, but it becomes easier as you start to understand how that criticism will help you. Like I said earlier, perfection is elusive. There will always be room for improvement. Professors and mentors are there to guide us, to shape us into the best versions of ourselves as designers. It’s essential to understand that it’s okay to be wrong, to stumble and make mistakes—we’re all in this constant state of learning. We can’t possibly be expected to get everything right on our first try. So we have to put aside our pride and take notes when people give us constructive criticism. Taking notes and absorbing insights when people offer suggestions on how we could have approached things differently becomes a valuable part of the design process. It’s through this embrace of constructive criticism that we unlock new levels of growth.
5. Intentional Efforts + Practice = Rapid Growth
There was a period where I found myself doing renders and sketches only to turn them in. I was so stressed about my other classes and deadlines that I wasn’t allowing myself to be intentional in my efforts to improve. Looking at my first marker renderings and my current ones, it’s evident that I’ve come a long way, mainly due to practice. I just can’t help but wonder how much further I could have progressed had I been more intentional in my efforts? Nothing truly changes unless we consciously direct our focus towards creating that change. It’s about purposefully setting aside time for deliberate practice, honing our skills, and pushing the boundaries of our creativity. While external factors and demands might sometimes sway us, it’s important to prioritize our growth when we can and to make space for intentional improvement.
6. Design Isn’t for Everyone
We lost about 10% of my freshmen Industrial Design class after our second semester. Many of them felt the stress was too much or realized they weren’t as interested in design as they thought they were. It was hard to see them go, but my whole cohort was happy that they were strong enough to make the decision to leave. So, if you find yourself questioning your journey in design, embrace the path that resonates with your deepest passions, and trust that wherever it leads, there will always be growth, fulfillment, and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact.
7. You Won’t Learn Everything in Class
Unfortunately, design school can’t teach us everything and if it did we probably wouldn’t graduate until 2043. I discovered that a significant amount of my learning happened through watching YouTube tutorials, reading how-to articles, or observing the skills of my talented peers. In my first year, we had just one lecture on rendering, leaving the rest up to us. It was amazing to see my classmates produce stunning renders through their own research. Yes, it takes time and patience, and frustrations may arise, but trust me, it’s all worth it.
8. Always, Always, Always Ask for Feedback
Every time I sought feedback, I saw something I hadn’t seen or thought of before. Now, don’t get me wrong—I understand that not all feedback will align with your vision, and that’s absolutely okay. Opening yourself up to feedback means opening yourself up to the possibility of improvement. It can feel daunting, especially if you lack confidence in your design to begin with. However, embracing feedback can actually help build that confidence over time. I realized that in my first year, I sometimes hesitated to ask for feedback because I felt I was falling behind or not meeting the expected milestones. I didn’t want to draw attention to myself. But I quickly learned that my professors cared far more about my growth, process, and final product than where I stood in comparison to others. While your experiences may vary depending on your professors or school, I can confidently say that seeking feedback has consistently proven to be fruitful in my own journey.
9. Design is Messy
After my first semester I had fallen in love with the design process. It’s messy, collaborative, non-linear, and just all together beautiful. I recently came across an analogy that perfectly encapsulates the essence of design—it’s like a game of tennis. Back and forth we go, exchanging ideas with peers, professors, and ourselves, in an effort to create the best version of a product that we can. It’s a process that demands flexibility. We might need to return to the drawing board, scratch ideas entirely, turn things upside down, and think outside the box to bring our visions to life. It amazes me how an idea, born from nothing, will go through hundreds of stages before it becoming reality. So don’t ever think your sketches have to be perfect from the beginning or be scared to change your mind, it’s all a part of the beautiful, messy process.
10. Not Everyone Understands Design, Some Might Never
Not everyone respects design. As a student in a tech school dominated by engineering and computer science majors, I frequently encounter individuals who don’t hold the same appreciation for the arts. A lot of these people who don’t respect design, have simply never been exposed to design or it’s importance. We can’t expect people to respect something they’ve never heard of. Most people will gain some respect for it after you explain it to them, but not everyone will. So be prepared to deal with those kinds of people. On another note, there will be people who express concern for us, especially during our first year. The long hours spent in the studio, the sleepless nights, and the tunnel vision on our projects can be intense. However, I find comfort in knowing that it tends to get better with each passing year. It’s important to be prepared for the occasional pity party thrown by our non-design major peers. While they may not fully understand the intricacies of our workload, their recognition of the hard work we put in is appreciated.
11. You Can’t Dedicate All of Your Time to Design Classes, Remember You Have Others
I made the mistake of focusing too much on my design classes and neglecting the others. As much as you’re a design student you’re also a regular college student on top of that who has to take classes unrelated to design. Those core classes matter too. So, don’t make the same mistake I did. Don’t let yourself slip in those other areas. Finding that equilibrium will save you from unnecessary stress and help you excel both as a design student and as an all-around superstar in your academic pursuits.
12. Comparison is a Trap
Comparison is an energy draining trap. I am a firm believer in people growing at different paces and that when something it meant to happen it will. It’s natural to find yourself comparing your progress to others from time to time, but don’t get caught up in it. Those people you’re comparing yourself to may have had access to better opportunities or are dedicating all their time to that one specific class. Instead of letting comparison bring you down, use it as a motivator. Don’t let comparison steal your joy or hinder your progress. Embrace your individuality and trust that things will unfold when they should and with the proper amount of effort.
I hope you related to this on some level. If you know someone who’s about to embark on their own design school adventure, I encourage you to share these insights with them. Hopefully they can find comfort knowing that they are not alone in the challenges and triumphs that await them. Design is not just a career path; it’s a way of thinking and creating that has the power to shape the world around us. As I continue my design education, I am filled with excitement and gratitude for the lessons learned and the creative adventures that lie ahead. Thanks for reading!