...or the ongoing journey of embracing being a generalist.
For decades I’ve been unsure of how to define myself as a designer. Or as a creative… an artist? I’ve gone rounds of “specializing”—branding, motion graphics, web design, product design, even audio engineer. It’s become something of an insecurity now. After all, “generalist” is a fancy way of saying “jack of all trades, master of none” … right?
The more items on the restaurant menu, the more likely none of it is good. The more titles on the business card, the more likely none of them are executed at a high quality.
The more types of designer I am, the more likely that I haven’t done the work to deep dive into any discipline and therefore can’t be good at any of them and am an imposter and won’t succeed at anything. I’m a failure.
At least that’s sometimes the narrative trap I find myself in.
Intellectually, I know that is not true of me. But philosophically, I struggle. In my soul, I can be confused.
But here’s the thing: life doesn’t fit neatly into boxes, and neither do I. The world we live in values adaptability and breadth as much as depth. Design, like any creative field, is fluid and constantly evolving. It’s not linear. The lines between disciplines blur more than ever today. The ability to pull from a variety of experiences and skills can lead to solutions that are richer and more nuanced.
Being a generalist is about curiosity—about exploring creative outlets wherever they may lead and drawing inspiration from unexpected places. I’ve found that the best ideas often come from outside the discipline I’m working in. A pattern in architecture might influence a design system. A piece of music might unlock the flow of a brand story. Great design isn’t about mastering a single toolset; it’s about staying open to everything around you, tuning in to whatever sparks creativity, no matter where it comes from.
I’m constantly absorbing, interpreting, and translating. That’s where the strength lies—being willing to experiment and connect the dots across different fields, different cultures, different forms of art. It’s not about spreading myself thin; it’s about staying versatile, staying curious, and trusting that, in the end, it all feeds back into the work.
In embracing this mindset, I’ve realized that being a generalist is less about defining myself by one label and more about trusting the process of exploration. The fear of being “master of none” gives way to the excitement of discovery. Whether through design, music, or art, I’m constantly tuned in, listening, ready for inspiration to strike from anywhere