Like many creative professionals I’ve had my share of grueling, uninspiring and just plain boring projects. It’s inevitable if you work in the design industry. For most of us it’s how we cut our teeth and paid our dues as new college grads. For others it becomes insidious, a cycle fallen into to simply pay the bills. If you find yourself stuck in this rut it’s easy to feel discouraged or complacent. You may even start to question your career choice altogether and grab for the parachute.

Hold on – don’t jump yet. Remember the reasons why you chose design in the first place.

Motivation Matters

What motivates you? I’ve asked myself this question countless times and there is no one-size-fits-all answer. Money aside, (and I know you didn’t chose design for money) there is a reason why you’re here. For me, I keep coming back to the basic principle of design as a vehicle for communication. But I realized it’s not that simple. I have to connect with the message in order to derive purpose from my work. Every designer is different. It takes a bit of self-reflection but by answering this question you’ll soon be on your way to finding fulfilling work.

Ask Yourself: How Do you Work?

Do you love collaboration or are you the solitary type? I personally love the collaborative team atmosphere but there are times when I can (and prefer) to fly solo. Striking a balance is key for most of us. However, if you’re the strong solitary type you may be happiest freelancing or consulting your services (just remember you’ll need to master the art of directly working with clients :-).  On the other hand, if you couldn’t imagine going at it alone you’ll need to find a workplace that suits your style.

The Best Clients

Over the years I’ve met some interesting clients. Some get it and some don’t. For the latter the best you can do is walk away. I’ve found that really great clients tend to value their own company and recognize that design is an investment. They see you as the expert that can help ROI and strengthen brand recognition. These are the clients you want. These are the clients you want to keep.

Give a Little Bit

Consider Pro Bono design work if you’re having a hard time finding inspiring, purposeful work. Although you’ll be donating your time the payoff can be huge in other ways. If the client appreciates and values your work they will tell their friends. And their friends will tell their friends and their friends will tell their friends…and so on. The best clients come from referrals. Having great clients only leads to more great clients and more great work. Just be realistic and only donate what you’re able and make sure it’s known you don’t always work for free.

The Power of  Refusal

Learning to say no isn’t easy. And if you work for someone else it’s not always feasible. But, if you’re constantly bogged down with the tedious mind numbing-I-can-do-this-in-my-sleep work you don’t have time for the really good stuff. If your assignments are dictated by your manager try communicating your desire for more creative work. You may not get what you want but it doesn’t hurt to try. If you’re self employed you have more control. When considering a new client ask yourself if they are a good match for your personality, style and values.

It’s a Two Way Street

The key to having a constant flow of great work is retaining great clients. You may be an award winning designer with numerous accolades to your name with so much creativity it’s coming out of your ears. That’s not enough. Your work will have to be stellar, delivered on time and with a smile. You’ll need to be diligent, thoughtful, communicative and responsive to retain the best clients and keep them coming back for more. Essentially, you’ll get back what you put in.

Busy work will never disappear entirely. It’s part of the job. But by answering a few important questions and taking simple steps, you’ll be on your way to loving what you do and doing what you love.

If you enjoyed this post and want to share your own tips please drop us a line. We’d love to hear from you.