As creators, we often strive for perfection, but sometimes it’s the flaws that make our work truly unique and beautiful.
The pressure we often put on ourselves to create “The Perfect” design.
Many of us have experienced that critical inner voice whispering, ‘It’s not good enough’ or ‘You’ll never make it’.
But guess what? Perfection is subjective, and it’s time we shift our perspective. Instead of seeing imperfections as failures or mistakes, reframe them as opportunities for exploration and learning. Yeah maybe now it’s not good enough, but it will be.
Embracing imperfections doesn’t mean we settle for mediocrity; it means acknowledging the beauty and growth that can come from embracing the unexpected.
One way to embrace imperfections is by giving ourselves permission to make mistakes.
Analyze what went wrong, understand why it happened, and use that knowledge to improve our work. Recognize that even the most successful designers make mistakes along the way, and it’s through these experiences that they grow and evolve.
Embrace experimentation.
Allow ourselves to explore different ideas, techniques, and styles without the fear of making mistakes. Give ourselves the freedom to try new approaches and be open to unexpected results that may arise.
Incorporate imperfections intentionally.
Sometimes imperfections can add character, charm, and a human touch to our designs. Purposefully incorporating elements like hand-drawn illustrations, textured backgrounds, or asymmetrical layouts can create a unique aesthetic and make our work stand out.
Embrace the iterative nature of the creative process.
Understand that design is rarely perfect on the first attempt. It might not even be “Good”. Iteration allows us to refine and improve our work over time. Embrace feedback from peers, clients, or users to iterate and strengthen our designs.
The concept of ‘happy accidents’.
Some of the greatest discoveries in art have come from unintended mistakes. These unplanned moments can open up doors to unexplored ideas and techniques. Just a couple of days ago I was creating a pattern and I accidentally clicked the wrong shape modes and guess what, the pattern turned out to be better than what I had planned.
So, don’t be afraid to let go of control and allow the creative process to surprise you!
I want to say it’s the imperfections that make our design, and indeed our lives, truly remarkable. But what really is that tomorrow you are going to find your design from today sucks anyway. Might as well embrace it.
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