To be a professional in the creative industry, there are several things that you have to have. Obviously, you will need the necessary technical skills and the talent. However, to be successful in your craft, there are other skills that you need to learn – like soft skills. In this article, we will be talking about what soft skills designers should have.
So, what are soft skills? Soft skills are basically interpersonal skills. They pertain to characteristics that you use to relate with people and to help you achieve success career-wise. Designing is a technical job. However, there will also be times when socializing is necessary to climb up the career ladder. Soft skills are also needed to build relationships with your teammates and future clients.
Soft Skills Designers Should Have
Communication
Communication is an essential soft skill anywhere you go – in social scenes, work, school, and even in your own home.
As a designer, facing clients and working with teammates comes with the job. Which is why learning how to communicate effectively is very important to learn. You have to learn how to articulate well both in verbal and written forms of communication. Having great communication skills projects an image of confidence, reliability, and a good attitude overall.
Once you learn how to communicate well, you will be able to pitch ideas and collaborate well with your clients, as well as with your team, with ease. Moreover, being a great communicator also prevents misunderstandings and conflict – which improves teamwork and productivity.
Flexibility
There will be times when you and your client won’t be on the same page. Your ideas won’t be the same as their ideas, or what you visualize is very different from what they want. However, remember that you are designing for your client, and not for yourself. Your designs should cater to your clients’ requirements.
Don’t get too attached to your designs. To be flexible is to provide multiple designs, and discuss with your client which designs will work best. Of course, this does not mean that you should sacrifice the quality of your work. You have the know-how in designing and you are there to make your client’s visualizations a reality. Find a design that you and your client can work with together.
Another thing, always take note of your clients’ (as well as teammates’) feedback on how you work, and take them into consideration.
Creativity and Resourcefulness
Being creative is an essential skill to have as a designer. Being creative means to constantly think outside the box. It also means to be resourceful, especially when you have limited options or resources. It is only when you constantly challenge yourself that you are able to think of innovative and great ideas. Never get comfortable with your current skillset and always strive to improve.
Time Management
Time management is another important skill in the workplace. As a designer, it’s to be expected that you’ll probably handling multiple projects at once. Besides projects, meeting clients are also a part of the job. If you’re working for a company, you probably have other responsibilities as well.
In order to fulfill your responsibilities and at the same time, not sacrificing the quality of your work, time management is an essential skill. An effective time management strategy is when you are able to work on projects efficiently and you don’t feel hassled at the end of the day. You get work done and you still have time to relax. To master this skill, just know that practice makes perfect.
Problem Solving
As mentioned before, there will be times when you will have disagreements with clients, your superiors, and even with your team. However, this does not mean that you should just leave it be. People who have great problem-solving skills are able to think of solutions in a calm manner. When you remain calm despite problems, it actually helps in solving it quickly. It also prevents unnecessary fights that could lead to more problems.
Moreover, employers like employees who take the initiative to offer solutions. This tells them that you are constantly thinking of ways to improve, and that you will be a valuable asset to the team.
Dependable
In this industry, meeting deadlines are very important. Moreover, designing is a long process which involves brainstorming, creation, and revisions. Which is why being dependable is an important trait to have as a designer. Clients (and bosses) need to be constantly reassured that you’re getting the job done.
If you’re a freelancer, being known as dependable to your clients will build trust with them. This can mean that they’ll be regular clients, and there’s also a chance that they’ll refer you to people they know. Either way, being depemdable means you will attract more work. On the other hand, if you’re working for a company, being known as dependable will help you climb up the ladder.
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