As a project manager for an innovative, creative agency, I’ve learned that the quest for perfection can hinder creativity, slow down progress, and result in burnout. While some designs and leaders wear perfectionism as a badge of honor, I believe it’s a behavior that everyone can unlearn. Shifting from perfection to focusing on excellence can empower designers to excel and create exceptional work. Embracing this mindset allows more creativity and innovation to flourish, resulting in outstanding outcomes.
The Problem of Perfectionism
Perfectionism is a virtue in the creative world. Designers and product designers work hard to eliminate any traces of perfectionism, yet they are clueless about how to alter their value systems, perspectives, or management styles. They often attribute such behavior to a few character flaws or make it a central core of “This is me, my authentic self.” Insert Myers-Briggs, Ennegrams, DiSC, or any other personality test, or zodiac chart.
However, based on my experience, perfectionism has far less to do with “who we are” than it has to do with the environments and social leaderships we encounter.
Perfectionism can ruin designers by:
- Killing creativity: the fear of making mistakes can actually impede free-spirited creativity, resulting in careful and uncreative designs.
- Delaying projects: Perfectionists can delay a project timeline by over-analyzing and fine-tuning the details – that may or may not change or do not matter now.
- Contributing to the burnout: The relentless chase for ideal results leads to feelings of pressure, stress, and, eventually, burn.
Shifting from Perfectionism to Excellence
During my time in art school, I encountered a truly transformative experience that completely reshaped my approach to design and creativity. It all unfolded during my Drawing II class, when our professor whisked us outside the classroom and challenged us to produce ten drawings in just 1 hour and 30 minutes, utilizing only the contents of our art boxes and the surroundings. Initially, I was freaking out, struggling to produce a single drawing. After 20 minutes of panic, the assignment clicked. I began experimenting with unconventional materials such as glue, grass, and dirt. I even took it a step further by using my muddy foot to create unique impressions on the page, carefully considering every small detail and pondering the various interpretations of what I observed, such as the cracks on the wall. Upon our return to the classroom, I was taken aback when the professor singled out my creations and exclaimed, “Who did this?” Nervously, I confessed they were mine, fully expecting criticism. To my astonishment, he hailed my work as “brilliant” and used it to encourage my more technically adept peers to push their boundaries. Each subsequent class was infused with similar exercises, fostering open dialogue and collective growth. By the end, everyone had made significant strides, even though I may have remained the least technically skilled. This experience ingrained in me the importance of embracing imperfection, focusing on the process, and ultimately fostering profound personal growth and innovation.
That lesson or challenge reared its ugly head during my first film project. I came, I booked my equipment check-out time, I showed up to pick up my equipment, and by the time the rigmarole of loading, driving to my location, and set-up was over, my school-mandated check-out time had elapsed, which would have meant repacking the equipment and driving it back without having shot a single frame. Yet, from this failure, a producer was born. I talked to my professors about group projects, and they allowed and encouraged it. We had more time available to rent our equipment and quickly fell into our roles, our talents shone, and we had more time to focus on our part. I started collecting talent, building teams, and helping others. If someone needed a sound guy, I knew one. I became a master delegator, no longer needing to be a master film loader—I had a classmate who did it better and faster than me.
In previous work at a global agency where perfectionism was celebrated by leadership, I would always burn out—constantly. I would stay late solving the problem of the day, missing dinners, and otherwise precious time with friends and family—all to solve the urgent problem.
What I found was that I would get everything just perfect, I would find the perfect solution, and then it would all be undone the next day by learning something new or another person’s change of plans.
It wasn’t until I was working with a leadership coach that I got it: it was okay to ask more—It hit me that getting into those awkward questions is actually okay, and taking a beat before responding can make a world of difference. This whole change in perspective has been a game-changer for me, helping me get to the bottom of things instead of just skimming the surface. I’ve been transformed by taking on work and challenges. Honestly, I’ve never felt more confident and capable.
Learnings we’ve embedded in our agency’s workflow:
Clearly define rounds:
In our contracts, we specify the stages of our design process. Round 1 is for concepts, and from there, rounds are for revisions and polish. This structure helps manage client expectations and encourages a focus on iteration rather than perfection.
Being “goal-oriented” versus “fuzzy” on the details:
We follow a model of excellence and strive to achieve what is needed to meet the project’s goals. Anything else goes on the whiteboard for future iterations. In this way, we can balance quality and efficiency.
Creating a supporting environment:
Leadership (everyone) should help create a culture where the team upholds excellence more than perfection. Through open dialogue, practices that encourage vulnerability, and people holding one another accountable, we should help designers break free.
Helping Clients Get Out of Their Way
We also extend this philosophy to our clients. It is easy for clients to get caught up in old habits and perfectionist tendencies that slow both the work’s progress and the outcomes of the work. Here’s how we help them embrace excellence.
- Education on the iterative process: An emphasis is placed on the importance of the iterative design process, so the client understands that early concepts are only a basic starting point from which refinement begins.
- Define clear expectations: Defining the main goals, stages and deliverables upfront manages expectations so you won’t overly weigh on the pressure of achieving perfection from the start.
- Encouraging open communication: We encourage an atmosphere with a free flow of information and expression, free from any fear of judgment. When done, it greatly enhances understanding, and problem-solving can be most effective.
- Nurturing a growth mindset: We convey the message that clients should take a growth mindset— they see feedback and revision as an opportunity to learn and grow rather than as a failure or setback.
Our best work with clients comes from a place where both teams embrace that we are driving toward a future vision of what’s needed, not just delivering on a linear idea. The creative brief is often the context that gets us all on the same page, but while the final product is often defined here, the solution is open-ended. We would not be doing our due diligence if we simply executed what was briefed every time; business needs change too rapidly and we strive for what’s best in the moment. This is where having a growth mindset becomes highly beneficial.
Erin Pitts, Founder/Creative Partner, The Label Collective
Call To Action: Make Space to Learn and Iterate
Now is a wonderful opportunity to move beyond the limitations of perfectionism by creating space for growth. This could mean joining both online and offline communities, participating in formal mentorship programs, or simply engaging in casual meetups. These spaces are designed to inspire and support us as we embrace growth and continuous improvement.
Let’s connect and share:
We’re all in this together, and by sharing our challenges and victories in overcoming perfectionism, we can foster a strong sense of community and solidarity. I invite you to share your stories and experiences with perfectionism in the comments below. I’m eager to hear your thoughts and insights!
Embrace constructive feedback:
Instead of criticizing from the sidelines, let’s shift our focus to collaboration. Embrace a “see something, say something” mindset to offer insightful feedback that helps everyone grow. Be clear and honest, even if it feels a bit uncomfortable. Staying curious and reflecting on your reactions can lead to meaningful conversations and valuable insights. If you have feedback for me or our team, we’re genuinely eager to hear it. Please share your thoughts in the comments below.
Be the change:
Let’s inspire growth in ourselves and others through dedication and hard work, creating environments where designers can truly thrive As leaders, empowering our teams to move beyond perfectionism is crucial. Consider joining a community of design enthusiasts or even starting your own. If you’re invited to speak at a conference, embrace the opportunity and create a platform for others to share their experiences. I’ll leave that there for you to iterate.
Collaborate and grow with us:
We’re committed to continuous learning and iteration, and we’d love for you to join us on this journey. Whether you’re interested in contributing to our projects, collaborating on new ideas, or simply learning together, let’s make space to grow. Reach out and let’s explore how we can work together to create something extraordinary.
Together, we can build a supportive network for sharing stories and ideas. The potential is there—let’s make space for it.
Conclusion
The world is changing all the time, and we can only design or solve the challenges we know today. While the future is essential to think about, it need not be solved now, and we can decide whether future anxieties are a priority today. Moving away from perfectionism to embrace excellence will allow designers to enjoy their creative process, meet project goals effectively, and take good care of themselves. The going is tough and demands commitment and support from leadership, but it is a rewarding journey—the results are certainly worth the work.
And One More Thing…
And for what it’s worth, I struggle with perfectionism, too. Letting go of perfection is a journey, but it’s also incredibly liberating. Imagine the positive impact we can make by fostering a culture of empowerment and innovation for designers, free from the burdens of perfectionism. Together, we can reshape our industry’s perspective.
Who knows — you might come across an even more awesome version of this blog post or concept in the future! Let’s keep pushing forward towards excellence and creating a space where designers can thrive at their best.