Designers Don’t Gatekeep

Fellow designers, I'll admit: a few years ago, I don't think I could have hopped on this trend.

In high school, I knew I wanted to be a designer; but back then, I was protective of my craft. Even in college, I viewed anything other than one's own hard work and creativity as easy— a shortcut version of the career I spent hours and thousands "perfecting". Fast forward to my senior year of college. I realized something important while talking with my professor (shoutout Ryan Miller!). I told him, "I want to teach the world how to design."

That's when it hit me: design is a team sport. I was going to design school with the goal of infusing impactful design into the world, and that’d be impossible if I kept my designs to myself.

The true power of design lies in how we share it with others. The real challenge for creatives is balancing the need to protect our work with the responsibility to pass on what we’ve learned. That’s where stewardship comes in. Creatives, don’t be afraid to stand your ground and be proud of how you got to where you are. Your individual style, systems, and strategies are irreplaceable. But also— as leaders and as followers— teach, mentor, and create space for others to grow.

This journey taught me an important lesson. Design is about more than personal success— it’s about being proud of our own paths, while creating a tangible and vulnerable environment for others to find theirs.

Is gatekeeping necessary? I say yes. I’m thankful for those that let me figure it out on my own.

Is stewardship necessary? I say yes. I’m thankful for those that let me in and show me the ropes.

Are designers (emphasis on the plurality) necessary? 100% yes. I’m thankful for you.