INTRODUCTION
So, basically, graphic design is a field in which talent alone is not enough. In this field, mindset also matters, which means your way of thinking.
The Two Types Of Mindset
FIXED MINDSET
GROWTH MINDSET
And, we will see how this shapes a designer's life in different ways.
WHAT IS A MINDSET?
Let us take an example to get the point!
Rahul: Rahul says, "I do not know how to draw, I am not naturally creative, and that is it." This is a Fixed Mindset, meaning thinking that whatever talent one has, it comes from birth and cannot be changed.
And now: the second student, Priya, says, "Right now, drawing feels a little difficult for me, but if I practice, then I can get better." This is a Growth Mindset, meaning believing that any skill can be learned through hard work and practice.
This concept was introduced by an American professor, Carol Dweck, and it perfectly fits in graphic design.
WHAT TO DO IF A CHALLENGE COMES
Fixed mindset designer: If they get a tough project, like redesigning a company logo, they try to avoid it. They think, "What if the client rejects it? People will think that I cannot work properly." So they only do the work that they already know how to do: the same old minimalist design, the same safe style.
Growth mindset designer: When they get the same project, they get excited. They think, "This is a good challenge for me. From this, I can learn something new." They sketch a rough design, then they test that, and again change that. If the client rejects the mood board, then instead of getting frustrated, they think, "What exactly did the client want that I missed?"
Thinking About Hard Work
This point is very important, especially in our Indian mentality, where people say someone is a genius because he works very well.
FIXED MINDSET: "If I am naturally talented, then why should I work so hard? Real professionals do it easily!" So such a designer will keep making generic templates and will not spend time on custom illustrations.
GROWTH MINDSET: "Hard work is the only path to mastery!" A designer who wants to learn kinetic typography will watch After Effects tutorials at night, will feel tired, but will think, "This tiredness means that I am growing!"
How Should We Handle Criticism, Meaning Feedback?
Feedback is also important in design. The client says, "This typography does not look right." Now what will you do?
Fixed Mindset Designer: Meaning, "I am good for nothing." He will become defensive and may even stop replying to the client's emails. He only wants to hear praise and is afraid of criticism.
Growth mindset designer: He will ask, "How does the typography look off? Is there a kerning problem? Or is it not readable on mobile?" He will take feedback from peers on Dribbble or Behance, will do A/B testing, and will make the design better.
What is Your View of Success?
Fixed mindset: Thinks that if any big agency selects me, it means I am talented. And if a friend became successful, then he will get jealous. "He got lucky, or he had connections; he did not actually have any talent."
Growth mindset: Thinks that if any big company selects me, it means I worked hard for that, I deserve that, I will do more for that company, and I will gain more knowledge from that. And if any friend becomes successful, then I will never get jealous, and I will congratulate them.
HOW THEY HANDLE FAILURE
To be honest, failure hurts everyone. Being rejected by every client after revising a logo 20+ times hurts. But two types of minds are split apart completely.
GROWTH MINDSET DESIGNER THINKS:
"What went wrong here?" They research why the client rejected that, what the client wants to say, and what their mistake was. They go back. And they come back stronger than before.
FIXED MINDSET DESIGNER THINKS:
"I am not made for it, I cannot do that, maybe the client is unfair, I should quit," or it is because of bad luck, instead of looking inward.
DAILY HABITS TO BUILD THIS MINDSET
The good news is this mindset can be built. It cannot change overnight, but with daily practice, it can.
Daily practice: Give 30 minutes to learn something new every day. Note your progress in a notebook. What you are actually doing will be revealed by tracking your progress. Do that every day.
Ask for feedback early: Do not wait for the project to be completely perfect. Ask people for feedback; through feedback, you can see mistakes that you could not see before.
Learn from the pros: Follow Behance case studies. Pick one project a month, try recreating it yourself, and note what you would do differently.
Track your wins: Keep a small "growth journal." Write down every skill you master.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Building a growth mindset is a lot like the design process itself: tweak, test, and improve. There is no magic shortcut. You have to work hard, you have to learn something new every day, and make yourself productive.
Do hard work, but not only hard work; try to do smart work too, because smart work and hard work together can save your time.
So whether you are designing on Canva right now or dreaming of working at a top agency someday, start with your mindset. That is the real foundation of everything.
