Designing in a corporate setting can be pretty straight-forward. Requirements arrive. We design based on the specs. Simple. Sometimes monotonous. Sure, there are no two design requirements which are exactly the same, but making the same things over and over again can be boring.

The design process is different for each designer. I know a lot who can’t seem to start designing without a “spark” – a moment of inspiration. Others plan briefly and execute, then iterate, thriving in a beautiful mess. I tend to fall on the latter.

I rarely wait for “motivation” to create something. Most of the time, I just work and find that motivation while doing the actual design. It doesn’t always work. There are times I wish I should have waited for the right idea, looked for better inspiration, or researched more. When I try waiting for “it” though, I get stuck – almost always.

That is why even if being a corporate designer tends to be boring, I do well as one (or that’s what I think, at least). I just keep designing even if it is not exciting. Ideal? No, but it gets the job done. Customers are happy. Company is happy. Bills are paid. I love my job!

All good on the career side, but what about growth? Monotony can be a good thing, but it also can make you stale. As a UX Designer, I miss a lot of things. I don’t make cool posters. Less flashy typography. No complex photo manipulation. Too little motion graphics. It’s all about the users and the business – almost no self-expression.

© Sean MacCabe – “Deliberate Practice“

I don’t need to be good in a lot of “design things” as a UX designer, but as a designer I wanted to keep doing these things. This is where Pixeptional comes in. To gain fresh perspectives. To improve on the things I’ve learned in the past. To progress as a designer.

Athletes train everyday. Musicians practice a lot. Why should it be different for a designer?

Plus, I’ll be trying to sell my output. Win!