
Credits
Rami Hage-Obeid
Growing as a Self-Taught Designer
Being a self-taught brand designer has been a rewarding but challenging ride, especially when it came to building confidence. Without formal training or a structured framework, I was figuring things out as I went. Along the way, I ran into a few big hurdles that shaped how I work and think today. Here are three major struggles I faced and how I got through them:
Comparing Myself to Other Designers
At first, it was hard not to measure myself against designers with formal training and years of experience. Seeing their portfolios and technical skills made me question if I could ever measure up. But over time, I learned that everyone’s journey is different. My self-taught path might be unconventional, but it’s mine and valid. Once I stopped focusing on what I didn’t have and started appreciating how far I’d come, I could finally embrace my unique story and the perspective it brings to my work.
Finding My Way
Without a traditional design framework to lean on, building my process felt like a never-ending experiment. At times, I’d wonder if I’d ever figure it out. However, diving into various projects helped me slowly uncover what I loved and what worked best with clients. Bit by bit, I started developing systems that worked for me and the clients I worked with. It turns out that all that talk about the design process paid off in the end.
Learning Client Communication on My Own
One of the steepest learning curves was navigating client relationships. It’s a whole skill set, from handling feedback to setting boundaries and managing expectations. I made plenty of mistakes along the way. But with every project, I learned something new. Over time, those lessons became second nature, and I started feeling more confident in communicating and collaborating.
Building confidence as a designer doesn’t happen overnight, and the self-taught path can sometimes feel like a rollercoaster. But those challenges made me more adaptable, resilient, and open to growth. Every bump along the way pushed me to trust myself a little more and take pride in the journey.
If you’re a self-taught creative figuring things out, know that it’s okay to take your time. Try different things, learn from the process, and celebrate the small wins. Confidence comes with practice and reflection, and every step forward is a step worth taking.