Over the last 10 years as a graphic designer I’ve come across a few quotes that have stuck with me and actually helped me in my career. They’re about three things that many designers struggle with—perfectionism, insecurity and procrastination—and how to overcome them. Today I want to share these three quotes with you and what I’ve learned along the way. By applying these you can move your own career forward and become a more confident, productive and happy designer.
1. “Done is Better Than Perfect.”
Perfectionism is a big problem for graphic designers and visual artists. We get so caught up in trying to be perfect that we end up paralysed. Instead of finishing projects we hesitate, second guess or even abandon our work. This quest for perfection becomes a convenient excuse – one that keeps us from ever finishing anything or putting ourselves out there.
The truth is if you never share your work you never get the valuable feedback, admiration and connections that come from being part of a creative community. Yes it’s painful to risk negative opinions or harsh criticism but that’s nothing compared to the benefits you get from putting your work out there. Even the most famous artists and designers have a body of work that includes great pieces and not so great attempts. By allowing yourself to create work that’s just “good” not perfect you give yourself the freedom to experiment, grow and become a better designer over time.
This isn’t just for personal art projects – it’s for client work too. Clients hire designers who can deliver quality work on time not those who tinker forever looking for perfection. One way to combat perfectionism is to apply Parkinson’s Law: set deadlines for your work. If you give a project infinite time it will take infinite time. By giving yourself a day, a week or even just an hour you force yourself to focus, finish and move on. Completing projects repeatedly will improve your skills more than polishing one piece of art forever.
2. “A Closed Mouth Doesn’t Get Fed.”
If you want opportunities you have to go out and get them, speak up and show the world what you can do. Early in my career I made the mistake of thinking opportunities would find me – after all I was “unique” and “talented”. Reality hit when I applied to hundreds of jobs and only got back a handful of responses. That taught me if I wanted opportunities I had to create them myself.
Being out there isn’t just for job applications. In today’s digital world being active online and engaging with like-minded communities is key. Show your face as the creative mind behind your work. If you’re not getting hired for the projects you dream of create conceptual or speculative work that demonstrates your skills in that area. Share it publicly. This way potential clients can see your talent and understand the value you can bring to their projects.
This applies to relationships too. Cold emails, DMs and comments – when done genuinely and thoughtfully – can help you build real connections. Some of the best opportunities I’ve ever had didn’t come through a formal application process; they came from friendships, shared interests and mutual respect. Show people your capabilities, communicate openly and don’t wait for others to guess what you can offer. Good work plus good relationships can lead to big projects. Remember if you don’t ask you don’t get.
3. “The Best Time to Start Was Yesterday. The Second Best Time is Now.”
Procrastination can hold you back. We tell ourselves we’re too young, too old, too late, too early – any excuse to delay starting something new. But in nearly every case the sooner you start the sooner you’ll learn from your mistakes and the faster you’ll grow.
I started my graphic design journey in high school feeling both too inexperienced and too ambitious. Yet by starting early I made mistakes and learned from them before I got to the critical career stages. Similarly when I started creating online content I was intimidated, afraid of being judged and unsure if it was too late to get into a crowded field. But pushing past that discomfort was one of the best decisions I’ve made – it opened up opportunities and changed my career in ways I never expected.
Don’t let fear of failure or embarrassment stop you from trying something new. No one expects you to be good from the start. The real shame is in never trying at all. Whether it’s learning a new hobby like rock climbing or diving into freelance design the initial awkwardness or difficulty is temporary. The regret of not starting lasts much longer.
Putting It All Together
These three quotes cover three areas of creative struggle: perfectionism, insecurity and procrastination. By letting go of perfect, seeking opportunities, and starting where you are right now you’ll be making progress towards your goals.
This isn’t about being perfect – it’s about getting better through practice, being open and being brave. Every project you complete, every connection you make and every step you take towards something new shapes your career. If you’ve been waiting for a sign to get going consider this one. Start today, reach out and show the world what you can do.
