Why we fall in love with our ideas
Ideas don’t always come easy
It can be really easy to get attached to our ideas when we have shed blood sweat and tears over them.
We get overconfident
Sometimes it happens that our design instincts can kick in and our first idea ends up being the best idea in the end. The only way to know this for sure however, is to sketch out and explore lots of possibilities for ideas that can solve our design problems.
Why we shouldn’t fall in love with our ideas
You become less effective
Designers that can acceptfeedback will 100%, always end up with a better end product.
You look like a jerk
There is another problem with being overconfident when it comes to falling in love with your ideas.
When you are overconfident designer, the problem is that the you have ultimately fallen in love with yourself long before you fell in love with your idea.
Nobody wants to work with a designer like that. We all know those designers or artists who just can’t take objective comments or constructive criticism about their work. I know I’ve had students who I’ve given feedback to and they decided that they know best and end up with mediocre work. We have to realize as designers that there is no one right answer to a design problem and that if you get caught up in your own ego when there is potentially a better solution out there, you will end up looking like a jerk and losing the respect of a lot of people.
You might actually end up with a better idea
Designers who feel less attached to their ideas are able to view them more objectively, respond well to feedback, and eventually create better work than the designer who decided that they just couldn’t change the idea they have fallen so deeply in love with. I’ve written very briefly about not grieving our ideas. That some ideas are meant to die so that better ideas can live. Realizing this can be a life-changer for you if you really embrace that falling in love with the pursuit of ideas is the most fulfilling route to take.
Chase opportunity, don’t get tied down and married to the first burst of creativity that comes your way.
Be patient and take a look around at all the possible solutions to any design problem, without getting lost in them. Instead of falling in love with the ideas you create, become more open to receiving and incorporating feedback and you will end up with much better ideas than you ever thought you would. I would rather follow after an idea with the knowledge that it could morph into something even better than to dig in my heels on an idea that may not work.
The minute we get married to one single idea, we are already on the road to becoming obsolete. Creative innovation requires flexibility and a willingness to change and learn.
So in honor of Valentine’s Day this weekend, I want to remind you to love design. Love the creative process, love the chase and the pursuit of your ideas- and when you catch them, hold them loosely, or they will break your heart. Happy Valentine’s Weekend and happy one year anniversary of this blog!