In case you haven’t stopped by this blog lately, my last few posts here have been focused on promoting new, upcoming and/or lesser-known designers. It has been a wonderful experience getting to meet and interact with other designers that I’ve never known or heard of before, and the satisfaction of creating a forum to raise awareness of their work – and even their existence – has been priceless. It has truly been a joy and it has inspired me to continue finding ways to contribute to the expansion of the design community however I can.
Along the way, however, the inevitable question has come up: am I endangering my own freelance design business by promoting other designers who compete for the same clients? So after thinking about this I thought it would be an interesting post and possible discussion with others in the creative community. So here is what I’ve found.
I ONLY COMPETE AGAINST MYSELF
I am an extremely competitive person. I want to be the best at whatever I do, whether it’s writing, designing, music, sports, being the “world’s greatest Dad and husband”, and on and on. But in recent years I have come to the realization that comparison and competition can be extremely destructive.
Think about it. How much of our life is built around comparison? I am too fat (compared to the ’skinny’ people). I am too short (compared to the ‘normal height’ people). I don’t have enough followers on Twitter or enough friends on Facebook (compared to the more ‘popular’ people). My clothes are out of style, my car is not cool enough, and so on. The entire advertising industry feeds on our insecurities and comparative nature, banking on that within us that is never satisfied with what we have in comparison to what others have. Keeping up with the Joneses is as old as the Original Sin.
But if I will take the time to stop looking around and comparing myself to others, and instead focus on who I am, what I have to offer, and how I am growing, I will most likely discover that I am my own truest competition.
I have high standards for myself. As a designer I want to be creative, original, and unique. As a freelancer I want to be genuine, honest, affordable, professional and helpful to my clients. As a business I want to be able to provide for my family financially.
In many ways I am accomplishing these things. Maybe not as well as others, but I am doing better at every single one of these things today than I was a year ago. By comparing my past experiences and accomplishments with what I am currently achieving I can see that I am winning this competition. On the other hand, if I looked back and discovered that I have not improved or grown at all, I would have to admit my failures and get busy with changing the status quo. Either way, it is obvious that I have the ability to succeed or fail based solely on the comparison of my own past and present accomplishments. Isn’t that enough to go by rather than looking at others in the same field as a measuring stick?
WE NEED EACH OTHER
As I have been discovering the amazing design community that until recently I didn’t even know existed, I have come to realize how invaluable my interaction with other freelancers and designers and bloggers has become. Before this revelation I relied solely on self-education. I am completely self-taught as a designer and in the past I have used the internet and my local libraries to expand my knowledge and abilities. But recently I have increased my learning exponentially at a ridiculously rapid pace thanks to the numerous blogs, tutorials, freelancers and designers that I have been introduced to, primarily through Twitter. The wealth of people and information that my eyes have been opened to has made me a better designer, freelancer, writer and person across the board, and I am experiencing personal and professional growth that is increasing quicker than ever before.
I have come to realize that I am better off looking to others, learning from them, interacting and engaging with them than I was holed up in my own little world. And together the design community is assisting anyone who wants to engage in becoming better at our craft, our business and our lives.
So why in the world would I try to be better than others in that community? Instead I want to encourage their growth and improvements as they support and assist me in mine. In the end, we are all better for it!
I DON’T HAVE TIME TO DO ALL YOUR WORK IF I HAD IT ANYWAY
I am a full time freelance designer. By definition that means I work as much or as little as I choose. I am my own boss. But ultimately I am driven by the need to provide for my family and to continue having the freedom that freelancing can provide. This usually means that I work 10-14 hours per day anywhere from 5 to 7 days per week. I love what I do, so it’s not a stressful atmosphere or something I wish I didn’t have to spend as much time doing. It truly is a wonderful way to make a living.
But if I were in competition with you and trying to steal your clients or at least get them all to notice me, when in the world would I find the time to do your work along with the work I already have?
Yes, the economic state we are currently living in dictates a need to maintain the best financial security possible. But for some reason my client count has increased more in these “hard times” than in previous years. Recent developments in social media and internet services paired with businesses looking for low overhead solutions (like e-commerce) have created an abundant need for web designers, social media managers, and more of the various services I provide. An abundance that is far beyond what I alone could handle.
So in the end, if I were to somehow convince all your clients to migrate over to me, I would have to hire a slew of employees to make sure all the work was completed.
That would pretty much ruin my ability to be a freelance designer, wouldn’t it?
CONCLUSION
In a nutshell, I have learned that I am FAR better off supporting and encouraging and even promoting other freelancers, designers, bloggers, and so on than I am trying to compete against them. I have gained new friends, new clients, new understandings, new education and on and on. It is my hope that I am also helping others to do the same. Together we can only marvel at how society is improved by our refusal to live in comparison and insecurity, and together we can encourage more people to do the same. It’s an idealist pursuit, but why not? I think it’s much better than the alternative. By comparison, anyway.
What do you think?
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Comments ( 73 )
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DESIGNERS: Why I Promote & Support You Rather Than Compete Against You added these pithy words on Oct 05 09 at 4:26 pm[...] Designers: Why I Promote and Support You Rather Than Compete Against You [...]
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100+ Mix of Great Community Links! | Master Design added these pithy words on Oct 30 09 at 9:56 amEnjoyed your article, Brian. I also believe in camaraderie than in competition (although a little is healthy to push yourself).
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nOeL added these pithy words on
Oct 05 09 at
10:59 am
Wonderfully written. It’s so easy to get caught up in endless competition with the people we should be collaborating with. As individuals in “our community”, we are all faced with very similar issues. It’s all about achieving YOUR highest level, not someone else’s.
I also had no idea how massive the community was or its potential for MY growth until Twitter came along.
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bkmacdaddy Reply:
October 5th, 2009 at 3:31 pmThanks for the input & encouragement! There is no doubt the design community is a wealth of potential growth, inspiration and challenge for us all. I am loving getting to discover it!
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theComplex added these pithy words on
Oct 05 09 at
11:06 am
Great point. There’s plenty of work to go around, and by embracing the design community, you build a network that provides support, education and even new friendships. It’s a win.
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Kevin added these pithy words on
Oct 05 09 at
11:14 am
Totally agree, Brian.
Life is too short. Being YOUR best is the goal.
I, too, cannot believe how much the internet has opened the doors to successful collaboration and interaction. 20 years ago the only way to see a great variety of work was to subscribe to every issue of CA–which didn’t include the back story of innovative solutions.
These days, my skills improve exponentially over short periods of time, due to blogs and tutorials.
Thanks again!
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bkmacdaddy Reply:
October 5th, 2009 at 3:34 pmThank YOU, Catherine, for the read and the comment!
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Catherine Azzarello added these pithy words on
Oct 05 09 at
11:23 am
Brian – Thank you.
Thank you for being another designer who has realized the destructive nature of zero-sum thinking. The idea that “If you win I lose”.As a group, we can be more creative, as a group we can protect the profession and bring it to new heights.
You are an inspiration and I hope the attitude passes on and grows.
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bkmacdaddy Reply:
October 5th, 2009 at 3:35 pmThanks Pam! I am realizing that if I have any agenda on social media and this blog anymore it is to perpetuate a spirit of giving, selflessness and community amongst the people I interact with, in the hope that they too will help to spread it. To me, THAT is something that should go viral!
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Pam - Ryvon Designs added these pithy words on
Oct 05 09 at
11:46 am
You are the greatest. That is why I follow you. I love your post!
Danna
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bkmacdaddy Reply:
October 5th, 2009 at 3:36 pmThank you, Danna! I am flattered by your description of me. I’m just trying to be the best I can be.
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InnovinkDesigns added these pithy words on
Oct 05 09 at
11:48 am
I agree with “I ONLY COMPETE AGAINST MYSELF”, there are thousands of web developers out there and there is no way to be the best at everything we do. But to try to improve everyday learning new techniques would make us better developers.
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bkmacdaddy Reply:
October 5th, 2009 at 3:37 pmThanks for stopping by and taking the time to read and comment. I appreciate your input!
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teylorfeliz added these pithy words on
Oct 05 09 at
12:25 pm
Excellent article, Brian. I think you’re right in that we should all be trying to be more of a community than competitors. There’s plenty of work to go around, and helping each other only encourages us to all expand and/or strengthen our skills.
Besides, it’s always a great idea to network with others in your field, especially for freelancers.
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bkmacdaddy Reply:
October 5th, 2009 at 3:40 pmThanks Emily. Just think, had we not branched out and reached out on Twitter and other networks, we would not be enjoying each other’s work right now! How cool is that?
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Emily Reply:
October 5th, 2009 at 4:05 pmThis is one of the reasons I really enjoy Twitter, the quick ability to share things with others (be it your own work or something interesting you found).
I love finding out about more artists and designers with work that I find interesting. It’s nice to see what else is out there, for comparison and inspiration
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Emily added these pithy words on
Oct 05 09 at
12:49 pm
Good article, encouragement is important for growth. I applaud your angle on the exposure of new designers.
Cheers[Reply]
bkmacdaddy Reply:
October 5th, 2009 at 3:41 pmThank you, Janice. No applause necessary. For me, the greatest reward will be to see others share and encourage in the same way. Thanks for stopping by!
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janice added these pithy words on
Oct 05 09 at
1:03 pm
((i thik you have a great outlook on life and work.
We’re all lucky to have such a kind, supportive person on our side.))
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bkmacdaddy Reply:
October 5th, 2009 at 3:42 pmAw shucks, Meg. You flatter me! I just think we’re all lucky to have each other as opposed to trying to do this thing on our own.
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meg added these pithy words on
Oct 05 09 at
1:08 pm
A positive message my friend, as always, you inspire our design community to learn, grow & share.
Thank you[Reply]
bkmacdaddy Reply:
October 5th, 2009 at 3:42 pmThanks for the encouragement – I think we all are doing our part, and hopefully even more will catch the spirit!
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Fun4lilli added these pithy words on
Oct 05 09 at
1:12 pm
Great article – and much the way I feel about the industry. One of my Jeffisms:
“I look at other designers as ‘peers’ rather than ‘competition.’ If you take the ‘competition’ position you will always be looking over your shoulder with concern – and perhaps a dose of panic. Adopting the ‘peers’ attitude brings about sharing, collaboration and inspiration – combined with a focus on the future and moving forward – to better yourself, others and the design industry.”
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts!
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bkmacdaddy Reply:
October 5th, 2009 at 3:44 pmThank YOU for sharing your insight, Jeff. I agree with ‘peers’ over ‘competition’. When we encourage, challenge and inspire one another everyone benefits!
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Jeff Fisher Logomotives added these pithy words on
Oct 05 09 at
1:54 pm
Well put, sir. And the very best of luck in this journey we call design.
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bkmacdaddy Reply:
October 5th, 2009 at 3:45 pmThanks for stopping by, David. I have the highest respect for you, so I am honored that you took the time to read and comment. Cheers!
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David Airey added these pithy words on
Oct 05 09 at
2:52 pm
I agree wit you on this. It’s why I’ve taken the time to interview and feature other designers on my blog as well, and to any of you reading this I wold be happy to feature you if you get in touch with me.
With all the things out their devaluing the design community its great when we can collaborate, share ideas, send each other leads and critique each others work and just add positive energy and action to the community. I think that this is important to succeed and like Brian I compete ONLY against an image of myself.“If you cannot defeat something in reality, imagine a version of yourself that can” is more or less how I approach my design career and my life in general at this point.
I feel that we are all have the ability to enhance each other in life and that we should take the opportunity to do so when ever we can!
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bkmacdaddy Reply:
October 5th, 2009 at 3:47 pmThanks for the input, Roberto. I really like your quote: “If you cannot defeat something in reality, imagine a version of yourself that can”. That’s going into my personal philosophy archives!
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Roberto Blake added these pithy words on
Oct 05 09 at
2:54 pm
Well said. Almost everything you said applies the same to me. Of all social networking tools, Twitter is by far the best and had introduced me to so many other talented individuals & organisations & increased my learning potential no end. Nice post. Keep up the good work
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bkmacdaddy Reply:
October 5th, 2009 at 3:49 pmThank you for the read & the comment! Sounds like many of us are expanding our horizons and connections in the design community through Twitter. I must admit I am hooked on it, and loving all that I am learning and everyone I’m meeting along the way!
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BHMediaMarty added these pithy words on
Oct 05 09 at
3:34 pm
Sharing is a way good thing.
I am so curious about your photos. How many are there of you?
And I love the sharing links code you are using. Did you write that yourself?
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bkmacdaddy Reply:
October 5th, 2009 at 4:33 pmSorry, I’m unclear what you mean about my photos. Please clarify and I’ll do my best to answer. The links code was written by a friend I met on Twitter. I love it too! Thanks for stopping by
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Kathryn Hathaway Reply:
October 5th, 2009 at 4:56 pmYou’ve got at the top of page, a tiny icon photo with a hat here, are they both you?
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bkmacdaddy Reply:
October 5th, 2009 at 6:47 pmThe photo at the top of this page is actually my wife. The icon with the hat here is me. There are also a couple photos of me in my Twitter background (http://www.twitter.com/bkmacdaddy)
Kathryn Hathaway added these pithy words on
Oct 05 09 at
4:21 pm
Great article Brian. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the design community and my main reason for getting into blogging was to give back to a community that had done so much for me.
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bkmacdaddy Reply:
October 5th, 2009 at 6:48 pmYes, I have been greatly inspired by you and Rob’s “giving back”. You are truly major contributors to the growth of the community. Thank you for all you do, Angie!
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Angie Bowen added these pithy words on
Oct 05 09 at
4:40 pm
WOW… these are my same feeling about the design community, collaboration, and the use of twitter as a great tool to network and learn more through self teaching.
I myself am a freelancer, designer & entrepreneur who likes to be challenge and pushed creativity. That one of the main focus’ of my side blog. This article is a great assessment of how good it is to have the confidence in your own work to promote other, while in turn helping yourself. Keep it up
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bkmacdaddy Reply:
October 5th, 2009 at 6:49 pmThanks for the visit and the comment, George! I will definitely be checking out your blog to see what yet another kindred spirit shares and writes about.
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George Garrastegui added these pithy words on
Oct 05 09 at
5:44 pm
I originally had this thought when starting as a freelancer and was told that I would be losing clients. Silly me listened… I should always go with my gut feelings. I just don’t know why I stray.
Thanks for the post! It’s a relief to hear so many others feel the same as I do!
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bkmacdaddy Reply:
October 6th, 2009 at 5:40 amGut feelings are almost always to be trusted – I must agree. Of course, always much clearer in hindsight, right?
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Ambrly added these pithy words on
Oct 05 09 at
11:58 pm
Great article.. I agree with most of whats been said before… Competition is healthy, as long as we know when it becomes un healthy and starts to have a negative effect.
Our industry is very special, there’s not many professions where you see so much interaction amongst competitors.
Owzzz
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bkmacdaddy Reply:
October 6th, 2009 at 5:47 amI think competition with others that drives one to self-improvement but not to fighting for clients is absolutely healthy! That’s where I draw the line, anyway.
Thanks for the input![Reply]
Owzzz added these pithy words on
Oct 06 09 at
4:54 am
Excellent article…
I am a designer, I also teach web design to degree level. As such, I am basically teaching people to be in competition with me and effectively take work away from me, however, even in the quiet part of Scotland where we are, there is still enough work for everyone. I often pass on work as I know I have a great circle of reliable designers.
… and yes Owzzz, we do work in a very special industry
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bkmacdaddy Reply:
October 6th, 2009 at 5:42 amFantastic example! Thanks for the input and expansion on the topic. I think a big reason we can afford to pursue community over competition is the internet gives us all the ability to have a global client base, rather than local business only. This is somewhat unique to our industry and we get the joy of benefiting from it!
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Corinne Reply:
October 6th, 2009 at 11:48 amWow! I’m glad I’m not the only one who enjoys passing on our knowledge to aspiring designers. I’m just a teacher assistant at the moment but I’m enjoying what I do (NOT including grading assignments)! I am hoping to teach the web design in the very near future.
Anyway, great post! I couldn’t agree more.I only hope this altruistic attitude transcends the design community.
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SMITHEREENZ added these pithy words on
Oct 06 09 at
5:18 am
One person can’t be brilliant at everything. That’s why we work in teams. Or outsource
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nOeL added these pithy words on
Oct 06 09 at
8:52 am
There is a principle that two are better than one, and also that if you give, you get it back many times over.
We help ourselves by helping others. If every other designer out there is my competition I’m going to be really lonely. If they’re colleagues, I have community and a plethora of inspiration and ideas.
This is a great post. I’m sharing the link with my design students.
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bkmacdaddy Reply:
October 6th, 2009 at 2:02 pmThanks so much for your encouragement – I’m honored that you’re sharing this with your design students! And I agree – giving is always a catalyst for many returns.
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Alvalyn Lundgren added these pithy words on
Oct 06 09 at
1:44 pm
It’s fabulous to see so many like minded people out in the great blue yonder. It can become deprerssing and physically tiring when designers I work with become grabby over work.
It is only when we work together, supporting each other and farming work out across new and growing networks of friends and colleagues that we have the time to explore what is possible and push those boundaries.
Excellent article and keep up the good work!
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bkmacdaddy Reply:
October 6th, 2009 at 2:05 pm“It is only when we work together, supporting each other and farming work out across new and growing networks of friends and colleagues that we have the time to explore what is possible and push those boundaries.”
GREAT comment! Thanks for adding your insight.
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Babs Rudlin added these pithy words on
Oct 06 09 at
1:55 pm
Just thanks
… for sharing those ideas of Creative Minds because getting connected is the most important think cause only competettion makes everyone better and how to get better if u wont know ur “opponents” sry 4 language but im German and drunk already[Reply]
bkmacdaddy Reply:
October 6th, 2009 at 2:03 pmHaha! I love the thought of you reading and commenting on this blog while you’re drunk! Thanks for stopping by!
[Reply]
Pixeldoc Reply:
October 8th, 2009 at 8:18 amWell not really drunk but had a good Bottle of Wine … anyway keep going on ur awesome.
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Pixeldoc added these pithy words on
Oct 06 09 at
1:58 pm
Great post. Good designers know good design. By promoting other designers we promote good design, getting an edge on the logo farms and website templates. Keep up the great work.
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bkmacdaddy Reply:
October 6th, 2009 at 2:12 pmThat’s a good point – I wasn’t even thinking about the logo farms and website template factories. All the more reason to unite, eh?
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Jim O'Meara added these pithy words on
Oct 06 09 at
2:06 pm
I think as designers in today’s world, we have this tie to both an “artists” culture as well as the webs “open-source” culture and both communities have this attitude that sharing resources and knowledge is what will improve the craft/community as a whole.
It’s what makes you a business person to have *some* competitive nature, but I think what’s different about some of us is our competitiveness being more with ourselves, like what you say… always striving to improve and go above and beyond for our clients. Not cause we want to knock someone ELSE out of the game, but just cause we love the playing the game ourselves!
There is room for everybody and if you can focus more on what YOUR specific specialty is and what YOU have to offer than no one else can offer, that is more valuable that winning by playing dirty.
Sorry for all the sports analogies.. i don’t even *like* sports, I’m a total “inside kid!”
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bkmacdaddy Reply:
October 6th, 2009 at 4:19 pmThanks for the great input, Liz! I think you are spot on with the tie to the more community-spirited cultures of artists and open-source. A great way to look at why we find it natural to work together rather than compete.
Maybe another element you have made me think of is that because we are basically artists, there really is no competition because every single one of us has a uniqueness to that which we create. Therefore we each have a “specialty”, even though it may not necessarily be classified as a “niche” of design.
Very cool thoughts. Thanks for contributing to the discussion![Reply]
Liz added these pithy words on
Oct 06 09 at
2:54 pm
Great post as always. This one really hits home for me in many ways. For one, I’m actually one of the designers you are helping promote : )
Secondly, my whole life I’ve believed in investing in people rather than anything else. Sorta like the hippie karma stuff, but it’s more about being the best person you can be and *”Paying it Forward” or the *”Tao of Steve” if you will.
*movie referencesI know I respect you more for your beliefs. Maybe one day I’ll be able to return the favor.
[Reply]
bkmacdaddy Reply:
October 8th, 2009 at 7:03 pmI have lived my life believing you can never go wrong giving selflessly. Sometimes you will get burned or taken advantage of, and it hurts. But more often you not only experience the joy of giving and the delight of others, but you also get the “karma” or whatever you want to call it. Almost every time that I have given freely it has come back to me multiplied. Thanks for the comment, my friend!
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TheAdamJanes added these pithy words on
Oct 06 09 at
10:02 pm
I totally agree with you.
I really enjoy meeting like minded people and bouncing ideas of them and finding out what their tips are.
I run a blog (D-Lists) where I try to showcase some of the best design work that I find because i appreciate their work.
This isn’t the reason I do it, but I must admit that I have even managed to get some leads through this avenue, which I like to think is down to good Karma.
I really admire your thinking on this matter
[Reply]
bkmacdaddy Reply:
October 8th, 2009 at 7:05 pmI visit your blog often, Michael, and have noticed you don’t tend to repeat what others have done on design blogs or use the same ‘popular’ examples that tend to get recycled a lot. I really appreciate that! Thanks for stopping by and encouraging me (and others) here on my blog. It means a lot!
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Michael Wilson added these pithy words on
Oct 07 09 at
10:14 am
There are a lot of comments here (and deservedly so) and I haven’t read them all, but you’ve nailed it in the post. There is so much more that can be gained from collaboration.
I used to work at a hyper competitive little web design firm and when I moved onto a larger agency I was blown away by how collaboration focused they were and how much it befitted their business. I also quickly learned how much that atmosphere befitted me for many of the same reasons you listed above.
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Brad C added these pithy words on
Oct 07 09 at
10:35 am
I absolutely agree. I am a hugely competitive person and more often than not it can get the better than me but I’m always setting standards and goals for myself. A year ago yesterday I had just started my first design job and from then I’ve learned so much that I’ve managed to improve my work and my life.
Great post, hit a very resounding note with me.
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Jason Stanley added these pithy words on
Oct 07 09 at
11:21 am
In the end their really is enough work to go around to all the quality designers out there. So, you really don’t need to fight everyone else, I think it is better to learn from others and improve yourself and help them improve. This will only help make the industry better.
[Reply]
Mathew Ballard added these pithy words on
Oct 09 09 at
10:28 pm
Thanks for a great article. I too have been learning many things on my own, but I have realized that I cannot learn it all. Sometimes we get buried in wanting to learn it all and lose focus on what we are good at.
After attending local social media clubs, I found that my tech community(South Florida) is flooded with amazing talented people in all fields. My intention now is to focus on my own talents and promote those people that have knowledge in other fields. I believe this is the way to build great community.
And by following you on twitter and seeing your blog, I can find great designers, something I am not good at. So cheers to cooperative sharing![Reply]
Blanca Stella Mejia added these pithy words on
Oct 11 09 at
3:25 pm
I think you are spot on – it’s a continuation of the idea that there’s enough pie for everyone.
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Jeremy Nicoll added these pithy words on
Oct 24 09 at
6:52 pm
This is such a beautifully written post. Before I went back to school for design, being in theatre, I felt nothing but pride for my former classmates who have achieved success in achieving their dream. Now, that I’m taking my career in another direction, I feel that I’m my biggest competition. You never go through life where you stop learning and it’s always great to learn from others. We should never stop.
I think it’s really great that you support your fellow designers. Some may be at different levels but all have a love of the medium in common. Keep up the thoughtful and inspirational posts Brian!
[Reply]
Elena added these pithy words on
Oct 24 09 at
6:54 pm
Add a Comment
bkmacdaddy Reply:
October 5th, 2009 at 3:29 pm
Yes, not to completely eliminate competition with one another from the perspective of pushing and challenging ourselves and each other to new heights. But there’s no point in competing with each other for clients to the point of tearing another down, in my humble opinion.
[Reply]