Why you have imposter syndrome
Imposter syndrome is that internal experience of doubting your own accomplishments or feeling like a fraud.
If you find yourself feeling like this it's probably for one of these reasons.
1: Lack of experience
If you're a new designer, you may have limited experience and feel unsure of your abilities. This can cause you to feel like an imposter.
What might help:
Pushing yourself to start working on projects - this will 100% help boost confidence over time (and yes it will be scary to start)
Do some free projects for friends or family as a start, where the pressure is lower than with paid clients
Be patient and recognise that experience takes time to accumulate
2: Inadequate education/training
If you haven't done any formal training or education in design you may struggle to meet the demands of the profession and feel like a fraud.
What might help:
Take online courses or workshops to fill your knowledge gaps
Attend industry events and conferences to stay up to date with trends and best practices
Consider obtaining a relevant qualification or degree
3: Lack of talent
Although it's hard to admit, it is possible you may lack the necessary talent or skillset required to succeed as a designer.
What might help:
Invest in education or training programs to develop your design skills
Seek mentorship from experienced designers
Practice and refine techniques through personal projects or free projects for friends or family
Seek critical feedback from others on how you could improve
4: The stress of the industry
Working as a designer is a high stress, competitive and demanding environment. There are constant high expectations for creativity and originality and the need for close attention to detail at all times. This pressure may be too much for certain people and exacerbate feelings of imposter syndrome.
What might help:
Set realistic expectations for yourself and avoid overcommitting
Develop healthy coping mechanisms for stress, such as exercise or meditation
Improve your time management skills - e.g. create a schedule and break larger projects into smaller, manageable tasks
5: Focusing too much on others
With social media we are constantly being exposed to 'perfect' looking designs and successful designers. This can lead to you doubt your own abilities and feel like an imposter.
What might help:
Limit social media consumption
Create more than you consume
Focus on your own personal growth rather than competing with others
Learn from the success of established designers without comparing yourself negatively
Remind yourself that every designer's journey is different and success takes time (more than most people think!)
6: Fear of failure
The fear of not living up to expectations, making mistakes or receiving negative feedback may cause you to feel like an imposter.
What might help:
See failure as a learning opportunity and part of the creative process
Seek constructive feedback and be open to making improvements
Develop a growth mindset and focus on continuous learning and development
Imposter syndrome is very common and even people you admire have it (I still feel imposter syndrome from time to time when I push myself out of my comfort zone). For designers, it can be especially tough given the creative and often subjective nature of our work.
The good news is that you can manage and mitigate these feelings through a variety of strategies - whether it's by gaining more experience, educating yourself, seeking mentorship or simply adjusting your mindset.
Accept that setbacks and failures are a natural part of any learning process, not an indication of your worth or talent. Focus on your journey, the skills you're building and provide as much value to others as you build your business. In doing so you’ll not only combat imposter syndrome but also feel good about providing value into the world.
Even the most accomplished designers didn't know everything from day one and it’s okay not to have all the answers right now, as long as you are committed to finding them.
Thanks for reading and catch you in my next post :)
Clare x
Dr Clare Le Roy
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