The highest award for a designer: finished work, payment, and client bragging
While prestigious design awards like Red Dot are sought after, the true milestones in my designer’s career are always more practical: getting shit done, getting paid, and, above all, having a client brag about your work.
- Getting Shit Done
Completing a project shows that your work is valued by both you and your client. It represents a journey of collaboration and mutual effort, and for a designer, there’s nothing more rewarding than seeing a project come to life. - Getting Paid
Exposure is nice, but true recognition comes when clients are willing to pay for your skills as soon as you issue the invoice. Fair compensation shows that your design has real value and that your hard work is acknowledged and respected. - Client Bragging
The ultimate reward is when a client proudly showcases your work. This means your design didn’t just look great — it was effective, resonated with its audience, and exceeded expectations. Word-of-mouth from a satisfied client is priceless, as it validates both your talent and the impact of your work.
While formal awards were once the goal, true success for a designer now lies in these real-world achievements: a finished project, getting paid, and satisfied clients.
Don’t miss the next essay. Signup for our newsletter
⸻ Newsletter signup
Ai killed the lorem ipsum
When you love Lorem Ipsum, it feels strange to realize that we have reached a point where much of the content we consume is generated. Does this mean we are no longer creating anything new? Is content the first domain where originality is fading?
Do What You Don’t Know
If you know exactly what you’re doing, you’re not creating — you’re repeating. Experience can be a beautiful curse. After 25 years in this field, I’ve learned how easy it is to hide behind what you already know. You get faster, smoother, safer — and slowly, you stop being dangerous.
AI-Generated content should be in the public domain
There is no stopping the Ai; questions about the ownership and copyright of AI-generated content are something we all talk about. I support the argument that such content should belong to the public domain and it cannot be copyright restrictions.
There Is Only One Right Way to Publicly Commission Design
A transparent process for commissioning design services that respects both the profession and the public interest. This way of working aligns with best practices in design and public procurement.
How to Be a Real Designer
Every project begins with trust. Behind every brand we work with is a person — someone with vision, doubt, hope, and ambition. Design, for us, starts with listening. It’s not only about creating; it’s about understanding.