The path to mastery is anything but linear. I've been on my journey towards "mastering design" for nearly a decade, and if there's one truth I've realized, it's that design is an endless journey of discovery and rediscovery. Allow me to speak my mind and, perhaps, offer some peace of mind to those who, like me, find themselves consistently dissatisfied yet insanely (prob too much) passionate about the craft of design.

A Journey Undefined by Stages

You might think learning design is like following a neat little pathway: information architecture → wireframing → UI design. Spoiler alert: it's not. My journey from a 13-year-old Photoshop junkie to a senior designer has been more like a drunken stumble through a design funhouse.

There's no clear-cut progression here. It's a messy dance of learning, unlearning, and relearning. Every project, every encounter with someone who makes you feel like an idiot, every spectacular fuck-up – they all push you forward, but rarely in the direction you expected.

Liberation of Perpetual Dissatisfaction

The realization that learning design is not a linear process is insanely liberating!

It means you don't have to perfect one area before moving to the next. Nor should you wait to feel fully satisfied with your current skill level before tackling new challenges. If anything, the constant state of dissatisfaction — the relentless pursuit of better — has been my greatest motivation.

Throughout my career, I've encountered moments of imposter syndrome, days where I look back at my work from the previous week and can scarcely believe I considered it up to my standards.

Embracing the Discomfort

To the newcomers in design..

Whether you're a bright-eyed student, a dreamer looking to make your mark, or a "professional" still battling self-doubt – it's okay to feel lost. That discomfort you're feeling? It's not a sign that you suck. It's a sign that you're growing.

I've learned that providing value — whether to clients, users, or even within my community — matters more than the pursuit of perfection.

Carve Your Own Chaotic Path

Imposter syndrome will always be that annoying voice in your head. But your relentless effort to learn and improve? That's the real proof of your dedication to this crazy craft.

The design field is a wild, ever-expanding universe. The only real direction is forward – even if "forward" means faceplanting into a wall of new challenges. So here's to the non-linear, messy, mind-bending adventure of learning design. May we always find joy in the beautiful chaos.