How CRI’s director of design tackles fear of change
What makes trying new things so scary? Is it the fear of the unknown? The possibility of failure? Making mistakes? Loss of control?
In the ever-changing world of sustainability, what should be scary is complacency.
This is something I’m thinking about constantly as director of design at CRI. In my role, I lead our team of art directors in creating reports that are visually engaging, compliant with evolving regulations and standards and reflective of the unique brand of each client we work with.
Working in a creative role in a rapidly changing industry means always being ready to adapt. For example, as compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Standards for Accessible Design has increased in importance, CRI has learned how to produce ADA-compliant sustainability reports and websites for our business partners.
This is also true for the software tools we use to create sustainability reports. Adobe and Microsoft are regularly adding new features or releasing new versions of their programs. And most recently, Workiva, a data assurance platform, has come to the forefront of reporting. While daunting at first, it quickly became apparent that we needed to learn how to design and work within this new program alongside our clients. After undergoing comprehensive training on designing in Workiva, my fellow art directors and I learned that we have more design flexibility than we expected and it’s a more collaborative approach to working.
For many people, the biggest roadblock is just getting started. Here are my tips for embracing change, whether you’re learning a new skill or starting a creative project:
Don’t overthink it.
Think about a challenge you have already overcome. For me, it was learning how to make stained glass. I was terrified I was going to mess it up, and I did — until I didn’t. But it’s the messing up that makes it better. This is the same for starting a new design project. The best advice I can give is to get out of your head and start messing around!
Be optimistic.
Block out those negative thoughts. You can do it! I stay balanced and practice self-care while working on big projects by taking daily walks to clear my head, petting my dog and bunnies or grabbing a latte and just taking a break.
Plan for it.
Break it up into small amounts, maybe a little each day or each week. Remember, it’s an ongoing process. Becoming proficient in Workiva required about four weeks of study. The design team got it done (while meeting our other deadlines) by breaking it into smaller sessions a few times a week, with catch-up time in between.
Find a community.
Whether a group of co-workers, a forum, friends or colleagues, a network of support can provide a fresh perspective when you get stuck. CRI’s other art directors and I support each other by talking daily, bouncing ideas off one another on Teams and sharing inspiration. I also keep up with the wider design community through blogs, Instagram and even YouTube.
Practice.
Keep going! The more you practice something, the better you become. Going back to my stained-glass example — when I first started, I couldn’t cut the glass the way I wanted, the pieces didn’t fit together, the foil wouldn’t stick, and the solder lines were a mess. Now, after two years of practice, I still have a long way to go, but I’m no longer afraid to share my work with others and even welcome feedback. That feedback, in turn, makes my work even better.
Winston Churchill once said, “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” By viewing change as opportunity and effort as its own reward, you’ll be amazed by what you can accomplish.
