As a designer , Is being a generalist the way?

Identifying my niche was one piece of advice I received while I was still a design student. I’ve also heard and read in podcasts and posts that having a specialty offers you an advantage. To be honest, given the state of the industry right now, I believe that being a generalist can be a more constructive approach, particularly for an entry-level designer.

I have witnessed many individuals who started as generalists and have achieved great success in their careers by transitioning from traditional design roles.

Why Generalist?

As an entry-level designer, you may feel pressure to specialise in a specific area of design to be more competitive and attractive to potential employers or clients. However, being a generalist, or having a broad range of skills and knowledge across different domains, can be more beneficial for your career development and growth.

Being a generalist enables you to work on different types of projects and challenges, explore your interests and strengths, and discover new ones. It helps you adapt to changing needs and contexts, as design is constantly evolving and responding to new technologies, trends, and user expectations. You can also develop your style and voice, express your creativity and personality, and find your niche.

While being a specialist offers a clear career path and allows you to establish expertise in a particular field, embracing a generalist approach can provide a unique set of advantages. It creates a sense of curiosity that helps you excel at seeing the bigger picture and connecting the dots across various domains. Moreover, it helps you adapt to rapidly changing industries where a hyper-specialized skill set might become obsolete or less relevant if the industry evolves in a different direction.

There are numerous examples of successful generalist designers who have shown the perks of being a generalist. Among them is Don Norman, a usability engineer and cognitive scientist who has worked on a variety of goods, including computers, appliances, automobiles, and doors. On subjects including design, psychology, technology, and human aspects, he has authored books and articles. In addition, he founded and provided consulting services for IDEO, Apple, and Hewlett-Packard. He is renowned for his ability to close the gap between theory and practice and for taking a user- and human-centred approach to problem-solving.

Taking on a variety of challenging projects, working with and learning from people with different backgrounds and perspectives, keeping up with new tools, technologies, trends, and best practices, and exhibiting adaptability and resilience in the face of uncertainty and complexity are all advisable steps to take as an entry-level designer who wants to become a generalist.

Although specialisation provides a distinct and targeted career path, adopting a generalist approach can provide a unique set of benefits. It’s not a question of one being fundamentally better than the other; rather, it’s a reflection of personal tastes, career aspirations, and the demands of a constantly changing industry.