I blog a lot about clients - client relations and just the crazy stuff that I do in my life. But what about the people in my industry? I have had many conversations with fellow web gurus and designers a like and we have always noticed a trend.
I remember when I was a newer designer I looked at other designers as the enemy. That I was better at design than them, I could create files better or do better for my clients. I didn't want to talk to them because I just knew more - ah to be young again right?! But then you realize that we are all on the same side. That working together creates better designs - get 2 designers on one project and see what happens, absolutely beautiful things. I think that the old saying is true, 2 heads are better than one. And that really goes for all industries.
Now, I don't have to state to treat others as you want to be treated, however it might be appropriate for this particular blog. I will say that in all my adolescence of freelance work I still never talked bad about another designer, put down their work or how they did it and never turned on them. I felt that they always had good reasoning - my line to my clients is that it's not bad design just not what I would do. I put my clients to ease to, it's never a good feeling when they feel they were taken advantage or and most time they really work it was just a design marriage that didn't last.
But here are a few things to never do to your fellow designers (or anyone in your particular industry)
- Never put down their work and say that it's bad - you know it's really not, but as a designer we have a competitive, tortured artist nature that we want to always just be better.
- Never slam other designers. Its all about being a professional no matter how hard you want to - bite your tongue. If you are telling others how bad someone else's work is - you are the one that looks bad and catty.
- Never say they built the files wrong or incorrect. I have to do clean up jobs - but was it really a clean up job or just getting the files to my liking and my style, most likely option 2.
- Never make judgments when you hear only one side. Your client is going to be in your ear complaining, take the high road, be understanding but don't say anything. There are 2 sides to every story and the truth lies in between. Unless you have talked to both sides and can think for yourself, just move on from that conversation and get the job done.
Truth be told - never be disloyal to the people in your industry. I will always back designers, not speak ill about their work and never steal work from someone else. I will never name names, use social media as my own playground to put others down and I will always be a professional. Karma comes back to bite you and you will be forever known as that designer that when the going gets tough you will turn on them, steal their work and put their craft down - now how long do you think you'll last in my industry?
The thing is, is we are all on the same side and we all working towards the same goal in just different ways. As humans we aren't always nice and we don't always watch what we say - we are human. But in the world of design, it's all about professionalism and ethics. I design so much better when I'm not carrying the emotions of others or judgments on others.
To success,
Angelina
NThreeQ Media, LLC
Phoenix Graphic Design
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