{"id":179,"date":"2014-01-15T15:43:30","date_gmt":"2014-01-15T15:43:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.zilliondesigns.com\/blog\/?p=179"},"modified":"2026-04-13T06:23:51","modified_gmt":"2026-04-13T06:23:51","slug":"7-habits-of-highly-successful-designers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.zilliondesigns.com\/blog\/7-habits-of-highly-successful-designers\/","title":{"rendered":"7 Habits of Highly Successful Designers"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Are you ready to kick start the New Year by letting go of all the lame excuses of why you can\u2019t succeed in the highly competitive graphic design industry?<\/p>\n<p>To show you we have no empathy for your situation, we&#8217;ve laid out the 7 habits of some highly successful designers.  Yes, we are rubbing their success in your face, so pull up your big girl panties. These master designers have battled the odds and have come up on top in the design industry. No, they didn&#8217;t complain about competitive nature of the industry. They actually made it big through sheer persistence [gasp]!<\/p>\n<p>Borrowing from Stephen Covey\u2019s famous title, we\u2019ve listed their approaches to becoming successful. Feel free to adopt them, or get inspired by them.  Whatever you do, just get your ass into gear!<\/p>\n<h2>1. Do not Forfeit before Competing<\/h2>\n<p align=\"center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zilliondesigns.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Do-not-Forfeit-before-Competing.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-183 lazyload\" title=\"Do not Forfeit before Competing\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.zilliondesigns.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Do-not-Forfeit-before-Competing.jpg\" alt=\"Do not Forfeit before Competing\" width=\"600\" height=\"402\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 600px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 600\/402;\"><\/a><br \/>\nImage Source: Pexels\/Gratisography<\/p>\n<p><i>How many times have you thought of a project as a challenge to conquer rather than another job to complete?<\/i><\/p>\n<p>Competition should not make you into a whiner. Successful designers are proactive because they don\u2019t consider any project unworthy. As Mike Sullivan of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.studiomister.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" class=\"broken_link\">Studio Mister<\/a> would say, \u2018working on multiple dimensions with clients, industry professionals and employees, increases one\u2019s experience rather than hinder it.\u2019<\/p>\n<h2>2. Begin with the End in Mind<\/h2>\n<p align=\"center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zilliondesigns.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Begin-with-the-End-in-Mind.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-181 lazyload\" title=\"Begin with the End in Mind\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.zilliondesigns.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Begin-with-the-End-in-Mind.jpg\" alt=\"Begin with the End in Mind\" width=\"600\" height=\"401\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 600px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 600\/401;\"><\/a><br \/>\nImage Source: Pexels\/Skitterphoto<\/p>\n<p><i>As a designer, the ability to visualize is the most important skill to have.<\/i><\/p>\n<p>Think of yourself, where you want to be, and who you want to become. Do you want to be a freelance designer just like David Airey of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.logodesignlove.com\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"broken_link\">Logo Design Love<\/a>? Do you want to be a corporate designer like Rob Redman of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.pariahstudios.co.uk\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"broken_link\">Pariah Studios?<\/a> Nothing&#8217;s stopping you! The key is to envision where you want to be, and then the end goal for every project should bring you closer to that vision for yourself.<\/p>\n<p>If you are able to visualize yourself, you will probably end up being \u201cthere\u201d (wherever that is).<\/p>\n<h2>3. Prioritize and specialize<\/h2>\n<p align=\"center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zilliondesigns.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Prioritize-and-specialize.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-185 lazyload\" title=\"Prioritize and specialize\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.zilliondesigns.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Prioritize-and-specialize.jpg\" alt=\"Prioritize and specialize\" width=\"600\" height=\"402\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 600px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 600\/402;\"><\/a><br \/>\nImage Source: Pexels\/Jenna Hamra<\/p>\n<p><i>Take action in order of importance<\/i>.<\/p>\n<p>Are you one of those designers who freezes up when they get work? Or maybe you&#8217;re the type to churn out graphics by the dozen. Whatever it is you do&#8230;just don&#8217;t.<\/p>\n<p>Successful designers like <a href=\"http:\/\/www.brandingmagazine.com\/2011\/07\/28\/interview-with-jacob-cass\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"broken_link\">Jacob Cass<\/a> of Just Creative can testify to the fact that all design aspects contribute to the whole brand picture. Learn to take one project at a time and treat it as if it was your baby.<\/p>\n<p>Even if you&#8217;re designing for one aspect marketing, having an understanding of the marketing process will be a big help in the long run.  Establishing your own work process in terms of branding and marketing will ease the process of managing projects.<\/p>\n<h2>4. If You Think Big, You Win Big<\/h2>\n<p align=\"center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zilliondesigns.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/If-You-Think-Big-You-Win-Big.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-184 lazyload\" title=\"If You Think Big, You Win Big\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.zilliondesigns.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/If-You-Think-Big-You-Win-Big.jpg\" alt=\"If You Think Big, You Win Big\" width=\"600\" height=\"402\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 600px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 600\/402;\"><\/a><br \/>\nImage Source: Pexels\/Fancycrave.com<\/p>\n<p><i>Remembering every project is an opportunity for a designer to scope for visual presentation, break down barriers, develop new cultural connections, and change attitudes.<\/i><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/1989\/01\/17\/business\/talking-business-with-peters-michael-peters-group-design-held-vital-sales-abroad.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"broken_link\">Michael Peters<\/a> thinks design is not superficial, but rather a visual opportunity composed of complex messages. Adopting this philosophy will help to create a win-win situation when dealing with difficult clients and peers.<\/p>\n<h2>5. Don\u2019t Get Cocky<\/h2>\n<p align=\"center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zilliondesigns.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Dont-Get-Cocky.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-186 lazyload\" title=\"Don\u2019t Get Cocky\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.zilliondesigns.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Dont-Get-Cocky.jpg\" alt=\"Don\u2019t Get Cocky\" width=\"600\" height=\"722\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 600px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 600\/722;\"><\/a><br \/>\nImage Source: Pexels\/Rene Asmussen<\/p>\n<p>So you&#8217;ve mastered all of the tools: The Adobe Suite, HTML, CSS, Corel, your list goes on.  So you think you don\u2019t have any more learning to do?  The only person you&#8217;ll win over with that sort of thinking is the 13-year-old who thinks their art is flawless as it is, even though the greatest artists who ever lived always strove to get better and better.<\/p>\n<p>Designers need to review, renew, learn, and update their skills regularly, especially since they work in such a radical industry. If you want to be a great designer, then perhaps take away what <a href=\"http:\/\/mathelme.com\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"broken_link\">Mathew Helme<\/a>, a web designer and illustrator, has learned over the years: \u201cYou know everything once you figure out you don\u2019t know everything.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>You&#8217;ll become a great designer when you understand your customers,  your limitations, and your strengths.  Hence, why Helme is successful and you&#8217;re reading this post.<\/p>\n<h2>6. Create Synergy<\/h2>\n<p align=\"center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zilliondesigns.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Create-Synergy.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-186 lazyload\" title=\"Create Synergy\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.zilliondesigns.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Create-Synergy.jpg\" alt=\"Create Synergy\" width=\"600\" height=\"356\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 600px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 600\/356;\"><\/a><br \/>\nImage Source: Pexels\/Rawpixel.com<\/p>\n<p><i>The project is never boring, only the designer is.<\/i><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.paul-rand.com\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"broken_link\">Paul Rand,<\/a> the famous zilliondesigns, believes in creating synergy and transforming even the most mundane graphics into dynamic designs. By making a habit out of creating synergy for all type of design projects, no matter how small or boring, you&#8217;ll brand yourself as an energetic designer who stands out.<\/p>\n<h2>7. Keep Learning<\/h2>\n<p align=\"center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zilliondesigns.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Keep-Learning.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-186 lazyload\" title=\"Keep Learning\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.zilliondesigns.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Keep-Learning.jpg\" alt=\"Keep Learning\" width=\"600\" height=\"457\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 600px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 600\/457;\"><\/a><br \/>\nImage Source: Pexels\/Pixabay<\/p>\n<p><i>Online and offline experiences, apps, gadgets, and so on call on designers  to keep sharpening their skills and learning new tools.<\/i><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.sitepoint.com\/how-i-became-a-web-designer-and-why-im-successful-now\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"broken_link\">Mark Atkinson<\/a> is of the view that learning is like breathing for designers. Keep up-to-date with technologies, differentiate yourself from the crowd, and over-deliver in order to survive in this cutthroat industry.<\/p>\n<p>If you think you have something these highly successful designers missed in their words of wisdom, feel free to let us know in the comments or on our Twitter<a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/ZillionDesigns\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"broken_link\"> @ZillionDesigns<\/a>.  Maybe you&#8217;re a great designer just waiting for the right moment of success.  Maybe you need a career change.  Either way, good luck to you.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Are you ready to kick start the New Year by letting go of all the lame excuses of why you can\u2019t succeed in the highly competitive graphic design industry? To show you we have no empathy for your situation, we&#8217;ve laid out the 7 habits of some highly successful designers. Yes, we are rubbing their [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":13557,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[295],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-179","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-graphic-design"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Habits of Successful Designers<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Are you ready to kick start the New Year by letting go of all the lame excuses of why you can\u2019t succeed in the highly competitive graphic design industry? 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To show you we have no empathy for your situation, we&#039;ve laid out the 7 habits of some highly successful designers.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.zilliondesigns.com\/blog\/7-habits-of-highly-successful-designers\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"ZD Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"http:\/\/facebook.com\/zilliondesigns\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2014-01-15T15:43:30+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-04-13T06:23:51+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.zilliondesigns.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Highly-Successful-Designers-1.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"800\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"400\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Janil Jean\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@zilliondesigns\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@zilliondesigns\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Janil Jean\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"4 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.zilliondesigns.com\/blog\/7-habits-of-highly-successful-designers\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.zilliondesigns.com\/blog\/7-habits-of-highly-successful-designers\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Janil Jean\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.zilliondesigns.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/f9ef0a68cee3eb9c1f22009595982aa2\"},\"headline\":\"7 Habits of Highly Successful Designers\",\"datePublished\":\"2014-01-15T15:43:30+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-13T06:23:51+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.zilliondesigns.com\/blog\/7-habits-of-highly-successful-designers\/\"},\"wordCount\":877,\"commentCount\":3,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.zilliondesigns.com\/blog\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.zilliondesigns.com\/blog\/7-habits-of-highly-successful-designers\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.zilliondesigns.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Highly-Successful-Designers-1.jpg\",\"articleSection\":[\"Graphic Design\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.zilliondesigns.com\/blog\/7-habits-of-highly-successful-designers\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.zilliondesigns.com\/blog\/7-habits-of-highly-successful-designers\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.zilliondesigns.com\/blog\/7-habits-of-highly-successful-designers\/\",\"name\":\"Habits of Successful Designers\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.zilliondesigns.com\/blog\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.zilliondesigns.com\/blog\/7-habits-of-highly-successful-designers\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.zilliondesigns.com\/blog\/7-habits-of-highly-successful-designers\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.zilliondesigns.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Highly-Successful-Designers-1.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2014-01-15T15:43:30+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-13T06:23:51+00:00\",\"description\":\"Are you ready to kick start the New Year by letting go of all the lame excuses of why you can\u2019t succeed in the highly competitive graphic design industry? 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