When I started my career in design, I didn’t realize that knowing how to design was just a fraction of the job. The real challenge? Understanding my value, charging what I was worth, and confidently presenting myself in an industry that often undervalues creative work.
It took years of trial and error, underpricing myself, and saying “yes” to the wrong projects before I fully grasped an important truth: You don’t get paid for the hours you put in—you get paid for the value you bring.
Many designers struggle with this. We get so caught up in the craft that we forget to advocate for ourselves. We hesitate to put ourselves out there, worried we’re not good enough yet. We undercharge, overwork, and let imposter syndrome dictate our worth.
Let’s put an end to that.
1. The Harsh Reality of Being a Designer
Working in design is painted as this dream job—freedom, creativity, flexible work hours. And while parts of that are true, the reality is far more complicated:
✔ Isolation: If you work remotely or freelance, you know the loneliness that can creep in. There’s no “water cooler chat” when you’re alone in your office.
✔ Self-Doubt: The constant question: Am I even good enough for this?
✔ Financial Instability: Creative work often comes with feast-or-famine income cycles.
✔ Burnout: Overcommitting because you feel like you have to say yes to everything.
✔ Comparison Trap: Scrolling through Instagram or Behance, wondering why everyone else seems to be killing it while you’re barely keeping up.
If you’ve felt any of these, trust me—you’re not alone. The industry is tough, but you don’t have to struggle through it blindly.
2. Stop Waiting for Permission to Own Your Value
A mistake I made early on? Thinking someone else had to validate my worth—whether it was a client, a job title, or a paycheck. The reality? No one is coming to hand you confidence on a silver platter. You have to own your value first.
If you’re waiting for someone to tell you, “You’re good enough now, go ahead and charge more,” you’ll be waiting forever.
Try this:
- List out three unique skills you bring to the table that set you apart.
- Ask a trusted colleague, “What’s something I do better than most designers?” Their answer might surprise you.
- Stop pricing based on time—price based on outcome and impact instead.
Your work saves businesses time, makes them money, and solves problems. Start acting like it.
3. Community and Mentorship Will Get You Further Than Solo Hustle
The biggest career shifts I’ve had weren’t from upgrading my software skills—they were from being in the right rooms, around the right people.
Designers love the idea of “figuring it out alone.” But guess what? The most successful creatives don’t do it alone. They build a network, invest in mentorship, and surround themselves with people who push them forward.
✔ Find a design community—online or in-person. Slack groups, LinkedIn circles, meetups, whatever.
✔ Get a mentor—someone who’s a few steps ahead of you in their career.
✔ Collaborate instead of compete—stop seeing other designers as competition. The best projects come from shared opportunities.
Try this:
Message three designers you admire and ask them a simple question:
“What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received in your career?”
You’ll be surprised how many people are willing to share knowledge when you just ask.
4. If You’re Not Charging Enough, It’s Because You Don’t Believe in Your Own Value
Pricing is one of the hardest things for creatives to figure out. We undervalue ourselves because:
❌ We think our skills are commonplace
❌ We’re afraid people will say no
❌ We assume clients won’t pay more
But here’s the truth: People will pay what they believe something is worth. If you position yourself as just another designer, you’ll be treated like one. If you position yourself as an expert who solves high-value problems, you’ll be compensated accordingly.
Try this:
- Raise your prices for the next client you pitch. Even if it makes you uncomfortable.
- Stop charging per hour—start charging per project based on impact.
- Write out the transformation your work creates. Instead of saying, “I design websites,” say, “I help businesses increase conversions by creating seamless, high-performing digital experiences.”
Sell the result, not the process.
5. The Best Creatives Have a Personal Creative Practice
Creativity isn’t a faucet you turn on for work—it’s a muscle you strengthen every day. If you only create when you’re getting paid for it, you’ll burn out fast.
The best creatives I know—whether designers, photographers, or writers—have a personal creative practice outside of client work.
✔ Run a passion project (something purely for fun).
✔ Try creating with no rules or clients—just to explore.
✔ Inject creativity into non-design activities (music, dance, cooking, photography, anything).
Try this:
Commit to a 30-day creative challenge. Something small—one sketch a day, one short animation, one photo edit. Just create without expectation and see how it transforms your approach to work.
6. The Ultimate Mindset Shift: “Why Can’t I Just Be Myself and Get Paid for It?”
I used to think I had to “fit into” the industry—have the right portfolio, use the right terminology, follow the trends. But the longer I’ve been in this business, the more I realize:
The designers who stand out are the ones who fully embrace who they are.
You don’t have to change your personality to succeed. You don’t have to work a certain way because that’s what everyone else does. Your quirks, your background, your personal style—that’s what makes your work unique.
Try this:
Write down:
👉 Three words that define your personal brand.
👉 One thing you do differently from most designers.
👉 What you want to be known for (beyond just “designing things”).
Lean into those answers. The more you own them, the more you attract the right opportunities.
Final Thought: Own Your Value, Build Your Career On Your Terms
Design is a tough industry. But the creatives who thrive aren’t necessarily the best designers—they’re the ones who know how to position themselves, advocate for their worth, and keep their creative fire alive.
So ask yourself:
✔ Are you playing small because of fear?
✔ Are you treating your skills like a commodity instead of a high-value service?
✔ Are you waiting for validation instead of stepping into your confidence?
If any of that resonates, it’s time to change the way you see yourself. You don’t need permission to start owning your value. You just need to decide that you’re worth it.
Now go build something great. 🚀