Do you ever feel overwhelmed while navigating the design journey, just like me? Recently, I started to ask myself what I could do to ease the situation. During my search, I came across the 80/20 rule and thought it would be great to share it with everyone. After all, I did promise to share my journey and not keep anything to myself.
Being an entry-level designer can be challenging, especially with the constant influx of new design developments, trends, and innovations. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed or distracted by the endless possibilities. However, there is a simple principle that can help you work smarter and achieve better results: the 80/20 rule that I mentioned earlier.
What is the 80/20 rule?
The 80/20 rule, also known as the Pareto Principle, states that roughly 80% of your outcomes result from 20% of your causes. In other words, a small portion of your actions or inputs will have a disproportionate impact on your results or outputs. This principle can be applied to anything, including design.
For entry-level or junior designers starting their careers, applying the 80/20 rule or Pareto Principle can be especially valuable in prioritizing efforts and maximizing impact.
How do you manage this complexity and ensure focused growth in your career?
Focus on the most impactful and valuable aspects of your work. To do this means you have an idea of what this means for you, and this could be; prioritizing mastering fundamental design principles, tools, and techniques. It could also mean focusing on building a solid understanding of user-centred design principles.
Recognize the primary area of interest within the design industry and concentrate efforts there initially. I use the word initially because I believe that being a generalist has a significant advantage (I will explain this in another article).
Develop a system of continuous learning; these should include both short-term and long-term goals. Break this down into manageable segments, focusing on one skill or concept at a time. Prioritize areas that align with your career aspirations and remember to pace yourself; there is always something to learn.
Instead of trying to cover all design trends, gradually incorporate new skills and styles into your portfolio. Pay attention to quality over quantity.
To excel in your field, you must discover the important 20% of information that can influence your success. This knowledge is unique to you and can only be gained by understanding yourself and your goals. Keep in mind that the design industry is vast, and it’s impossible to know everything.