[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"site-settings":3,"blogpost-overcoming-the-impostor-syndrome-as-a-self-taught-designer":76},{"footer":4,"contact_form":6,"chat_widget":11,"accolades":19,"seo_social":67},{"iso_notice":5},"Wolfpack Digital is an ISO 9001:2015, ISO 27001:2013 and ISO 14001:2015 certified company - © _YEAR_ Wolfpack Digital. All rights reserved.",{"budgets":7},[8,9,10],"Under $50.000","Between $50.000 - 200.000","Over $200.000",{"consent":12},{"greeting":13,"title":14,"body":15,"accept_label":16,"decline_label":17,"declined_message":18},"Awoo! I'm Wolfpack Digital's AI assistant. Ask me anything about our services, process, or team, and if you want a project estimate, I can point you to our AI Estimator.","Data Privacy","\u003Cp>Hi there! We would love to talk with you. 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Creative fields are often subjective. That subjectivity can breed insecurity, which can show up as impostor syndrome.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Suddenly you’re in a new environment doing unfamiliar things. You’re using terms you didn’t know a few months ago. You’re training your brain to work in a whole new way.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>I get it. It takes time to get used to sharing your designs and talking about them. It can feel daunting at first. But a safe place can help you overcome it quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>In this article, I’ll share my own experience. I’ll also offer a few tips for beating impostorism.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch2>What is impostor syndrome? 🤔\u003C\u002Fh2>\u003Cp class=\"ql-align-center\">\u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>“Impostor syndrome is an internal experience of believing that you are not as competent as others perceive you to be.”\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp class=\"ql-align-center\">Source: \u003Cstrong style=\"color: rgb(250, 53, 123)\">\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.verywellmind.com\u002F\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">https:\u002F\u002Fwww.verywellmind.com\u002F \u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>To put it simply, impostor syndrome is the feeling of being a phony in some area of your life. You feel this way despite the success you have achieved there.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch2>What is the reason behind it?\u003C\u002Fh2>\u003Cp>In my case, impostor syndrome may have come from two things:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Col>\n\u003Cul>\u003Cli>\n\u003Cstrong>The learning path\u003C\u002Fstrong> – Being a self-taught designer may not give you the same confidence as someone who studied in a more structured setting.\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\n\u003Cul>\u003Cli>\n\u003Cstrong>How we see others\u003C\u002Fstrong> – People tend to compare themselves to the “ideal” figures they see online. They also compare themselves to more experienced coworkers.\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\n\u003C\u002Fol>\u003Ch2>Learning path 👩🏻‍🏫\u003C\u002Fh2>\u003Cp>Have you ever wanted to learn something new but had no clue where to begin?\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>That’s how some of us started our design journeys. You learn a design tool, watch some tutorials, and go with the flow.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>That’s fine. But without a plan, you tend to row in all directions with no end goal.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Then you start real projects and doubt your choices. You may not feel confident enough to show your designs, worried that others will be harsh.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Once you have a solid base, you can build on it easily. Here at Wolfpack Digital, the team helped me see where my knowledge was thin and what to improve.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Being guided by the other designers made me feel safe. Mistakes were not something to fear. They were chances to grow.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Learn about the areas you are passionate about. Learn the ones that help your day-to-day work too. But never assume you are a bad designer just because you don’t know all the industry buzzwords.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Learn as you go. Never fear failure. It only shows you what to focus on next. 🎯\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch2>How we see others 👀\u003C\u002Fh2>\u003Cp>Every day we see people online, or coworkers, who seem to have it all figured out. They seem to have a solution for every problem.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>The reality is that even the best of us can feel like an impostor sometimes. That’s perfectly fine, as long as it pushes you to work harder and grow.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>The goal is not to compare yourself with others. We all evolve differently, and each experience shapes us as people and as \u003Cstrong style=\"color: rgb(250, 53, 123)\">\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.wolfpack-digital.com\u002Fblogposts\u002Fwhere-does-a-designer-fit-in-the-product-development-process\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">designers\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fstrong>.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>We all see the world with different eyes. There’s nothing wrong with having a different perspective. It doesn’t make you any less of a designer.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>I fell into that trap myself in my first design job. Apart from extra stress, it brought nothing to the table.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Seeing everyone else do so well made me wonder if I truly belonged there.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>But I learned to trust myself and the process. It wasn’t simple, yet my colleagues helped me a lot.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp class=\"ql-align-center\">\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fs3-eu-west-2.amazonaws.com\u002Fwolfpack-digital-attachments-production\u002Fckeditor_assets\u002Fpictures\u002F591\u002Fcontent_image1.jpg\">\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>The fact is, no matter how much you know, there’s always more to learn. That’s what makes being a designer so much fun.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Design keeps changing and growing more complex, with many sub-disciplines appearing.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Over the past 20 years, terms like UX Design, Service Design, and Design Thinking have taken the industry by storm.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>So it’s OK not to be an expert in every area of design. There are simply too many sub-disciplines to master them all.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch2>How to deal with it\u003C\u002Fh2>\u003Cp>If impostor syndrome has crept into your work life, it’s important to spot it and manage it. The good news is there are plenty of ways to ease it. Here are some tips you might find useful.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>🧐 \u003Cstrong>Analyze your abilities\u003C\u002Fstrong> – Compare your accomplishments and strengths to how you judge yourself.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Every challenge is a chance to grow, not proof that you’re a fraud. Start with the right mindset, and trust that you can do it.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>🤫 \u003Cstrong>Don’t keep it to yourself\u003C\u002Fstrong> – Sharing it is freeing. If you’re close to your colleagues, talk to them about it.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>I was lucky to have open, understanding colleagues to talk to. They opened my eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>I realised each of us is different, so there was no point comparing myself to more experienced designers. I should focus on myself instead.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Then I started comparing myself to my old self. That really struck me. I could see my progress and how much I’d learned in a short time since joining the pack.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>✌️ \u003Cstrong>Learn to get feedback (yes, that’s a skill)\u003C\u002Fstrong> – Feedback is essential, and we need to be collaborative.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>But be careful: feedback is a double-edged sword. Use it for what it’s meant for. Don’t see it as criticism or a personal attack.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>I was lucky that here at Wolfpack Digital, giving quality feedback is part of the culture. It’s like a gift that benefits both the giver and the receiver. It reinforced my strengths and kept me goal-oriented.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>🙅‍♀️ Stop comparing yourself to others\u003C\u002Fstrong> – When you compare yourself to others, you’ll likely find some flaw in yourself. That flaw fuels the feeling of not being good enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>👀 Take every chance to improve your skills\u003C\u002Fstrong> – If you’re not confident in your work, take every chance to learn more and be better prepared.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>For example, joining design groups can give you valuable insights, useful resources, and a wider network.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Want to step out of your comfort zone? Design challenges might spark your interest.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch2>Conclusion\u003C\u002Fh2>\u003Cp>You can only beat impostor syndrome through discipline and self-awareness. Focus on yourself and start gaining confidence in your talent.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Remember, everyone started as an awkward beginner once. Becoming an expert takes hard work, persistence, commitment, and time.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp class=\"ql-align-center\">\u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>“If you’re surrounded by experts, then you’re in an extremely privileged position.”\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp class=\"ql-align-center\">Source: \u003Cstrong style=\"color: rgb(250, 53, 123)\">\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fuxdesign.cc\u002Fovercoming-not-imposter-syndrome-6d92c71c1751\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">uxdesign.cc\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>They’ve been where you are before. They’re in the best position to help you move forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>That’s one thing I’m super thankful for here at Wolfpack Digital: my fellow designers, who guide me every step of the way. ❤️\u003C\u002Fp>","overcoming-the-impostor-syndrome-as-a-self-taught-designer",[82,85,88,91,94,97,100,103],{"style":83,"url":84},"640","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.wolfpack-digital.com\u002Fstore\u002Fblogpost\u002F208\u002Ffeatured_image\u002F640\u002FCover.webp",{"style":86,"url":87},"768","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.wolfpack-digital.com\u002Fstore\u002Fblogpost\u002F208\u002Ffeatured_image\u002F768\u002FCover.webp",{"style":89,"url":90},"1024","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.wolfpack-digital.com\u002Fstore\u002Fblogpost\u002F208\u002Ffeatured_image\u002F1024\u002FCover.webp",{"style":92,"url":93},"1366","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.wolfpack-digital.com\u002Fstore\u002Fblogpost\u002F208\u002Ffeatured_image\u002F1366\u002FCover.webp",{"style":95,"url":96},"1600","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.wolfpack-digital.com\u002Fstore\u002Fblogpost\u002F208\u002Ffeatured_image\u002F1600\u002FCover.webp",{"style":98,"url":99},"1920","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.wolfpack-digital.com\u002Fstore\u002Fblogpost\u002F208\u002Ffeatured_image\u002F1920\u002FCover.webp",{"style":101,"url":102},"thumb","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.wolfpack-digital.com\u002Fstore\u002Fblogpost\u002F208\u002Ffeatured_image\u002Fthumb\u002FCover.webp",{"style":104,"url":105},"original","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.wolfpack-digital.com\u002Fstore\u002Fblogpost\u002F208\u002Ffeatured_image\u002Foriginal\u002FCover.webp",{"title":107,"description":108,"keywords":109,"contact_form:title":110,"contact_form:cta":111,"og:site_name":72,"og:type":112,"og:locale":73,"twitter:card":113,"twitter:site":74,"twitter:creator":74,"og:title":107,"twitter:title":107},"Overcoming Impostor Syndrome as a Designer | Wolfpack Digital","Impostor syndrome is common among self-taught designers. Adelina shares her experience and practical tips for overcoming it and growing with confidence.","impostor syndrome, impostor syndrome designer, self-taught designer, ux design, ui design, wolfpack digital","contact us","send message","article","summary_large_image","6 min",32,[],"Oct 31, 2022","Impostor syndrome is common among junior and self-taught designers. Adelina, a UX\u002FUI designer at Wolfpack Digital, shares her experience and practical tips for overcoming it.",[120],"wolfpack-life","Illustration of a designer sitting with their head in their hands, surrounded by thought bubbles about work and feedback","2022-10-31T10:37:53.000Z",null,[125,126,127,128,129],"Impostor syndrome, the feeling of being a phony despite real success, is common among junior and self-taught designers.","A self-taught learning path and constant comparison to others are two frequent triggers.","A supportive team, where mistakes are learning opportunities and feedback is part of the culture, makes it much easier to overcome.","Practical tips: analyse your abilities honestly, talk about it, learn to receive feedback, stop comparing yourself to others, and take every chance to improve.","Discipline and self-awareness, not comparison, are what build lasting confidence.",[131,134,137,140],{"answer":132,"question":133},"Impostor syndrome is the internal experience of believing you are not as competent as others see you to be. In simple terms, it is feeling like a phony in some area of your life despite the success you have achieved there.","What is impostor syndrome?",{"answer":135,"question":136},"Two common reasons are the learning path and comparison. A self-taught route may not give the same confidence as a structured education, and designers often compare themselves to idealised figures online or to more experienced colleagues.","Why do self-taught designers often experience impostor syndrome?",{"answer":138,"question":139},"Analyse your abilities against your real accomplishments, talk about your feelings with trusted colleagues, learn to treat feedback as a gift rather than criticism, stop comparing yourself to others, and take every opportunity to learn and improve. A supportive team culture helps enormously.","How can you overcome impostor syndrome as a designer?",{"answer":141,"question":142},"Designers contribute across discovery, design, and delivery. Learn more in our guide on \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.wolfpack-digital.com\u002Fblogposts\u002Fwhere-does-a-designer-fit-in-the-product-development-process\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">where a designer fits in the product development process\u003C\u002Fa>.","How does a designer fit into the product process?","2026-07-08T10:01:36.633Z",false,"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.wolfpack-digital.com\u002Fblogposts\u002Fovercoming-the-impostor-syndrome-as-a-self-taught-designer",[147],{"id":148,"author":149,"short_description":150,"role":151,"avatar_urls":152,"cover_urls":160,"linkedin_link":179,"instagram_link":44,"x_link":44,"meta_tags":180,"last_published_at":122,"same_as":182},56,"Adelina","Adelina is a self-taught UX\u002FUI Designer whose journey into design is as unique as her creative approach. With a background in literature from the Faculty of Letters, she brings a narrative flair to her design projects, crafting intuitive user experiences that tell a story.\r\n\r\nA problem solver at heart, Adelina thrives on creating solutions that make life easier. She is fascinated by how design can simplify complex tasks and enhance the user's interaction with technology. Her design philosophy is rooted in the belief that intuitive products can transform our daily routines, making them more efficient and enjoyable.\r\n\r\nAdelina's artistic inclinations extend beyond her professional work. In her spare time, she enjoys exploring various forms of art and craft, which often inspire her design projects. This creative outlet allows her to experiment with new ideas and techniques, constantly pushing the boundaries of her craft.\r\n\r\nAdelina's dedication to her craft is evident in every project she undertakes. She is committed to continuous learning and growth, seeking new challenges and opportunities to expand her skills. Her ability to combine artistic sensibility with practical solutions distinguishes her as a versatile and innovative designer.\r\n","UX\u002FUI Designer",[153,155,158],{"style":101,"url":154},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.wolfpack-digital.com\u002Fstore\u002Fpublisher\u002F56\u002Favatar\u002Fthumb\u002FDSC03419.webp",{"style":156,"url":157},"medium","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.wolfpack-digital.com\u002Fstore\u002Fpublisher\u002F56\u002Favatar\u002Fmedium\u002FDSC03419.webp",{"style":104,"url":159},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.wolfpack-digital.com\u002Fstore\u002Fpublisher\u002F56\u002Favatar\u002Foriginal\u002FDSC03419.webp",[161,163,165,167,169,171,173,175,177],{"style":83,"url":162},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.wolfpack-digital.com\u002Fstore\u002Fpublisher\u002F56\u002Fcover_image\u002F640\u002FAdelina.webp",{"style":86,"url":164},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.wolfpack-digital.com\u002Fstore\u002Fpublisher\u002F56\u002Fcover_image\u002F768\u002FAdelina.webp",{"style":89,"url":166},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.wolfpack-digital.com\u002Fstore\u002Fpublisher\u002F56\u002Fcover_image\u002F1024\u002FAdelina.webp",{"style":92,"url":168},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.wolfpack-digital.com\u002Fstore\u002Fpublisher\u002F56\u002Fcover_image\u002F1366\u002FAdelina.webp",{"style":95,"url":170},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.wolfpack-digital.com\u002Fstore\u002Fpublisher\u002F56\u002Fcover_image\u002F1600\u002FAdelina.webp",{"style":98,"url":172},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.wolfpack-digital.com\u002Fstore\u002Fpublisher\u002F56\u002Fcover_image\u002F1920\u002FAdelina.webp",{"style":101,"url":174},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.wolfpack-digital.com\u002Fstore\u002Fpublisher\u002F56\u002Fcover_image\u002Fthumb\u002FAdelina.webp",{"style":156,"url":176},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.wolfpack-digital.com\u002Fstore\u002Fpublisher\u002F56\u002Fcover_image\u002Fmedium\u002FAdelina.webp",{"style":104,"url":178},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.wolfpack-digital.com\u002Fstore\u002Fpublisher\u002F56\u002Fcover_image\u002Foriginal\u002FAdelina.webp","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.linkedin.com\u002Fin\u002Fchiorean-adelina302309\u002F",{"title":149,"description":151,"keywords":44,"contact_form:title":110,"contact_form:cta":111,"og:site_name":72,"og:type":181,"og:locale":73,"twitter:card":113,"twitter:site":74,"twitter:creator":74},"website",[179]]