A Note from a Millennial Designer to a Gen Z Designer
A Note from a Millennial Designer to a
Gen Z Designer
A Note from a Millennial Designer to a Gen Z Designer
(Because fonts may change, but the designer struggles don’t)
From One Designer to Another
Gen Z designers, I’m genuinely in awe of you.
You’re proactive about learning new tools, unafraid to ask questions, always curious and constantly experimenting. Your portfolios are polished, your ideas are fearless, and you jump into challenges without hesitation.
Honestly, there are moments when I feel behind in technology just talking to you, you find AI plugins I didn’t know existed and turn ideas into prototypes while I’m still setting up my artboard.
But if you want to go far, there’s more to this journey than speed and tools. The part that will truly carry you for the long haul isn’t always visible in a portfolio:
An Eye-Opening Conversation
Recently, a Gen Z designer told me, “I can’t work on thankless jobs.”
On the surface, I get it - you want your work to be valued and recognised. And as a respected designer, you should seek that.
But here’s the reality - sometimes you will work on things that don’t make the spotlight. A feature that gets shelved. A tiny UI fix no one notices. A deck that never gets presented. A work that never gets appreciated.
It’s not glamorous, but it’s never wasted. Every task teaches you something - how to work under constraints, how to adapt, how to see problems from a new angle. Those “thankless” jobs often end up shaping your skills more than the big wins.
The Meeting Notes That Changed Everything For me
Early in my career, my manager asked me to take notes after every product team meeting and share them with the group. To be honest, I was furious at him and it felt like a thankless admin task. Only to realise later in life that was helping me built a habit to keep teams aligned, track decisions, and communicate clearly. That small habit taught me more about collaboration than any design course ever did and I still use it today.
Tips I’d Pass On To This Curious Generation
Keep your speed, but add depth. 🚀
Execution is great, understanding why is better.Share your work early. 🔍
Feedback makes designs stronger.Master the fundamentals. 🤟
Tools will change, principles won’t.Build bridges. 🤝
Strong relationships make your work more impactful.Be patient. (most important) 😎
Careers are marathons, not sprints.
The Long Game
You’re stepping into design at one of the most exciting times in history where creativity and technology are more connected than ever. Your energy and adaptability inspire me every day.
Your boldness, adaptability, and fresh energy remind me why I fell in love with this craft. And yes, there’s so much I can teach you, but there’s also so much I’m learning from you.
So keep experimenting. Keep asking questions. Keep building your craft - but don’t forget to build trust, patience, and relationships along the way. Those are the things that will make you not just a great designer, but someone people love to work with.
With respect and excitement for what you’ll create,
A Millennial Designer Who’s Always Cheering For You
Cheers to a team full of enthusiastic Gen Z energy! 🫶
(Because fonts may change, but the designer struggles don’t)
From One Designer to Another
Gen Z designers, I’m genuinely in awe of you.
You’re proactive about learning new tools, unafraid to ask questions, always curious and constantly experimenting. Your portfolios are polished, your ideas are fearless, and you jump into challenges without hesitation.
Honestly, there are moments when I feel behind in technology just talking to you, you find AI plugins I didn’t know existed and turn ideas into prototypes while I’m still setting up my artboard.
But if you want to go far, there’s more to this journey than speed and tools. The part that will truly carry you for the long haul isn’t always visible in a portfolio:
An Eye-Opening Conversation
Recently, a Gen Z designer told me, “I can’t work on thankless jobs.”
On the surface, I get it - you want your work to be valued and recognised. And as a respected designer, you should seek that.
But here’s the reality - sometimes you will work on things that don’t make the spotlight. A feature that gets shelved. A tiny UI fix no one notices. A deck that never gets presented. A work that never gets appreciated.
It’s not glamorous, but it’s never wasted. Every task teaches you something - how to work under constraints, how to adapt, how to see problems from a new angle. Those “thankless” jobs often end up shaping your skills more than the big wins.
The Meeting Notes That Changed Everything For me
Early in my career, my manager asked me to take notes after every product team meeting and share them with the group. To be honest, I was furious at him and it felt like a thankless admin task. Only to realise later in life that was helping me built a habit to keep teams aligned, track decisions, and communicate clearly. That small habit taught me more about collaboration than any design course ever did and I still use it today.
Tips I’d Pass On To This Curious Generation
Keep your speed, but add depth. 🚀
Execution is great, understanding why is better.Share your work early. 🔍
Feedback makes designs stronger.Master the fundamentals. 🤟
Tools will change, principles won’t.Build bridges. 🤝
Strong relationships make your work more impactful.Be patient. (most important) 😎
Careers are marathons, not sprints.
The Long Game
You’re stepping into design at one of the most exciting times in history where creativity and technology are more connected than ever. Your energy and adaptability inspire me every day.
Your boldness, adaptability, and fresh energy remind me why I fell in love with this craft. And yes, there’s so much I can teach you, but there’s also so much I’m learning from you.
So keep experimenting. Keep asking questions. Keep building your craft - but don’t forget to build trust, patience, and relationships along the way. Those are the things that will make you not just a great designer, but someone people love to work with.
With respect and excitement for what you’ll create,
A Millennial Designer Who’s Always Cheering For You
Cheers to a team full of enthusiastic Gen Z energy! 🫶
(Because fonts may change, but the designer struggles don’t)
From One Designer to Another
Gen Z designers, I’m genuinely in awe of you.
You’re proactive about learning new tools, unafraid to ask questions, always curious and constantly experimenting. Your portfolios are polished, your ideas are fearless, and you jump into challenges without hesitation.
Honestly, there are moments when I feel behind in technology just talking to you, you find AI plugins I didn’t know existed and turn ideas into prototypes while I’m still setting up my artboard.
But if you want to go far, there’s more to this journey than speed and tools. The part that will truly carry you for the long haul isn’t always visible in a portfolio:
An Eye-Opening Conversation
Recently, a Gen Z designer told me, “I can’t work on thankless jobs.”
On the surface, I get it - you want your work to be valued and recognised. And as a respected designer, you should seek that.
But here’s the reality - sometimes you will work on things that don’t make the spotlight. A feature that gets shelved. A tiny UI fix no one notices. A deck that never gets presented. A work that never gets appreciated.
It’s not glamorous, but it’s never wasted. Every task teaches you something - how to work under constraints, how to adapt, how to see problems from a new angle. Those “thankless” jobs often end up shaping your skills more than the big wins.
The Meeting Notes That Changed Everything For me
Early in my career, my manager asked me to take notes after every product team meeting and share them with the group. To be honest, I was furious at him and it felt like a thankless admin task. Only to realise later in life that was helping me built a habit to keep teams aligned, track decisions, and communicate clearly. That small habit taught me more about collaboration than any design course ever did and I still use it today.
Tips I’d Pass On To This Curious Generation
Keep your speed, but add depth. 🚀
Execution is great, understanding why is better.Share your work early. 🔍
Feedback makes designs stronger.Master the fundamentals. 🤟
Tools will change, principles won’t.Build bridges. 🤝
Strong relationships make your work more impactful.Be patient. (most important) 😎
Careers are marathons, not sprints.
The Long Game
You’re stepping into design at one of the most exciting times in history where creativity and technology are more connected than ever. Your energy and adaptability inspire me every day.
Your boldness, adaptability, and fresh energy remind me why I fell in love with this craft. And yes, there’s so much I can teach you, but there’s also so much I’m learning from you.
So keep experimenting. Keep asking questions. Keep building your craft - but don’t forget to build trust, patience, and relationships along the way. Those are the things that will make you not just a great designer, but someone people love to work with.
With respect and excitement for what you’ll create,
A Millennial Designer Who’s Always Cheering For You
Cheers to a team full of enthusiastic Gen Z energy! 🫶
