5 Reasons You Need to Upskill to be a Better Designer (Be Future Ready)

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(Source: www.talentlms.com)

https://www.talentlms.com/blog/upskilling-employees-dos-donts/

[Alt Text: Illustration of a man with multiple skills and words ‘skill them up’ written next to it]

 

With the multidisciplinary field that design is, no amount of skills are too many. It is now an established practice to gain knowledge by taking up online design courses or doing individual research. To define this phenomenon, the term ‘Upskilling’ has been frequently used in recent times, but what exactly is it?

 

To put it simply, Upskilling is getting better at what you do. It is upgrading your knowledge (both theoretical and practical) of the subjects that may be directly or indirectly related to the field you’re working in.

 

Let’s look back at the past!

The design field is diversifying and merging indistinguishably with other fields, demanding more multi-talented professionals. Looking back at history, the greatest of designers were popular in their times and even now for being skilled in numerous fields and contributing to society at large. Leonardo Da Vinci, one of the most multi-talented people to walk on earth, was a skilful artist, mathematician, sculptor, architect, scientist, and astronomer. His works turned to be an inspiration for the later generation of polymaths, rivalled only by Michelangelo, his contemporary. These figures gave rise to the term ‘Renaissance Men’, with the ideal that said “a man can do all things if he will.”

 

Rock-paper-scissors! Meme version of Leonardo Da Vinci’s The Last Supper (Source: www.pinimg.com)

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/ec/38/4b/ec384b777c9104ed031a7f68f7ccbae5.gif

[Alt Text: Image of Leonardo Da Vinci’s The Last Supper where two people are playing rock-paper-scissors]

 

Even apart from design, there have been several such personnel with an eagerness to be everything at once. Aristotle, the famous Greek Philosopher, was a brilliant writer. His works covered subjects like poetry, music, theatre, rhetoric, politics, ethics and even biology. He was also the teacher of Alexander the Great, who, as we all know, was one of the biggest conquerors of all times.

 

Issac Newton is not a foreign name to anyone in the field of science. Celebrated for his contributions to physics (theory of gravity and laws of motions), this English scientist was also an astronomer, alchemist, philosopher and theologian. His works laid the foundation for the progress of later generations of scientists, particularly Sir Stephen Hawking.

 

This gives us a hint that the finest of the lot always have more than one trick up their sleeves!

 

[Read: Decoding Design Philosophies: How Do These Famous Architects Think?]

 

What’s happening now?

 

Increasing technology and resources have brought about specialisations in various fields of study. With specialists coming up in every sector, the number of all-rounders have been gradually decreasing.

 

But we know that history has always admired and valued multi-skilled people. Despite the revolutions taking place, traces of this admiration can still be seen, especially in the field of Film-making and Design. Actors are no longer expected to just act and film-makers are no longer expected to just direct. The best of the rest are those who are not only great at their primary skills but also good at other 21st century skills required in the field. A good example from the modern-day is FarhanAkhtar, an Indian actor, film-maker, producer, playback singer, screenwriter and television host. He is celebrated by the Indian audience for having proved his versatility time and again.

 

FarhanAkhtar performing (Source: www.socialsamosa.com)

https://www.socialsamosa.com/2016/05/pulse-twitter-pulse-dhadkne-do/

[Alt Text: Image showing singer FarhanAkhtar singing with a mic in front of him]

 

Similarly, design practices that do not adhere to just one type of product are more popular than the rest as they have a wider clientele and user base and strive for continuous experimentation and upgrade. With a complex network of professionals worldwide, multipotentiality is appreciated.

 

Thus, the need for all-rounders and design upskilling is emerging again.

 

[Read: The Assets of Success: 13 Golden Skills in Design to Master]

 

Multipotentiality

 

Now, what exactly does it mean to have multipotentiality?

It is the trait of a person having interests in two or more fields of study and curiosity to learn and excel at them. Such people are called ‘multipotentialites’ which is the opposite of ‘specialists’ and is used interchangeably with ‘polymaths’. They are required in almost every field; science, art, technology, medicine, business, commerce, etc.

 

Multipotentialites are valued for their fast learning skills and adaptability. Organisations are always keen to acquire individuals who can bring dynamism, novelty, enthusiasm and variety to work-places. Such professionals are also favoured to undertake leadership roles as they are better at empathising and understanding a broader set of situations, people and their perspectives.

 

It is great to be a specialist, but even better to be good at many other skills along with one. It is time to be the Jack of all trades AND master of one!

 

(Source: www.gifer.com)

https://gifer.com/en/RAYx

[Alt Text: GIF of a TV show character, Sheldon Cooper, saying “You Know I’m Right”]

 

The changing times demand multi-faceted individuals to bring in innovative design solutions. Gradually, the need for regular upskilling comes up, whether through online design courses or through experiential learning.

 

Here are 5 reasons designers needs to upskill themselves:

 

1.      To Fill the Skill Gap

As fellow designers, most of us can collectively agree that there is still a huge gap between our design education system and the practice. The system lacks the capacity to make students industry-ready, leaving them with little to no practical knowledge.

In the current scenario, students opting fordesign upskilling are constantly at an advantage compared to the rest, be it academically or professionally.

 

A lot of independent platforms have emerged that have recognised this gap and aim to fill it by offering learning to interested individuals, especially in the field of architecture with online architecture courses. Making use of these learning platforms can help students stay streamlined and equipped for the field.

 

(Source: giphy.com)

[Alt Text: A bearded man saying ‘Teach me’]

 

(Link: https://giphy.com/gifs/drstrangetrailer-26AHPxxnSw1L9T1rW)

 

 

[Read: 6 Best Design Learning Platforms to Upskill Yourself in 2021]

 

2.      To Have a Better Career and Job Prospects

 

It is no mystery that design establishments tend to hire aspirants with a broader range of skills. It is good to master one skill, but is it good enough?

 

With the increasing competition in the design field, there is more demand for professionals who are adept at handling a variety of tasks. For example, someone who is great at 3D modelling should also be able to manage an entire project if needed. The design industry has become experimental and welcomes multi-talented people with open arms. Initiatives are being taken across the globe to recruit individuals who can perform multiple tasks instead of hiring someone just to perform one task. Naturally, such versatile individuals bring more to the organisation while making more for themselves.

 

It’s a win-win!

 

[Read: 7 Things They Forgot To Teach You in Design College]

 

3.      To Progress in the Field

 

A broader skill-set gets you better job opportunities, but what happens once you are into the field?

 

Design Upskilling doesn’t stop once you’ve earned a job. You need to keep honing your skills and adding to the existing ones for your professional development. In the design industry, multi-skilled professionals are more likely to be given positions of responsibility and develop trust. Moreover, individuals with a zeal to constantly enhance their skills, adding more value to the team, progress faster than others in their career trajectory. Hence, adding more to your design skill plate will give you an upper hand at any point in your career.

 

If you are a working professional, now is the time to upskill, rise and shine!

(Source: www.giphy.com)

https://giphy.com/gifs/l1Kua6X2X3t9bSlNK/html5

[Alt Text: GIF of a cartoon show, spongebobsquarepants, with the words “I’m ready”]

 

4.       To Stay Relevant to the Changing Times

 

Modern problems require modern solutions.

 

It is obvious that one cannot run a design practice efficiently with obsolete techniques. Things that were considered awesome in the yesteryears may be completely outdated now. To align with the demands of the current world it is necessary to update,upskill and improve.

 

Globalisation and digitisation have paved the way for several new domains in the field of design. From UI-UX design to Urban Planning, the good designers always have a fair idea of the advances happening in the field. Even clients are now getting more familiar with design as a profession and its importance, with a wide range of resources to facilitate awareness. Being on par with the rapidly altering world and understanding the contemporary necessities will give designers the kind of expertise needed to meet the requirements of today’s user base.

 

Change is the only constant!

 

(Source: www.quotemaster.org)

https://www.quotemaster.org/architecture+students

[Alt Text: Image of a sketch with a drafting board and two people standing in front of it, one of them saying “I haven’t much experience of such an early version of autocad”]

 

5.       To Start Out On Your Own

 

It takes a great deal of skill to start practising as an independent designer or going for an entrepreneurial venture. The most difficult part, which is the beginning, can become easier if you have what it takes.

 

The field of design is connected to and borrows from many others. Starting a design practice not only requires field-related knowledge but also inter-disciplinary skills like business management, automation, digital communication, etc. If you aim to eventually start on your own, acquiring know-how and soft skills is essential. Multi-skilled individuals can then collaborate with many different kinds of people to deliver fantastic results.

 

A skilful leader makes a skilful team!

 

(Source: www.codycameron.com)

https://codycameron.com/are-you-my-leader/

[GIF showing popular animated character buzz lightyear surrounded by alien midgets]

 

From filling the skill-gaps to practising design independently, we have reached full circle.

 

The current pandemic situation has been harsh on us all. On the bright side, a lot of education platforms have come to light, inspiring individuals to make use of their time at home by taking up online design courses. Thanks to digitisation, it is now easier than ever to connect with individuals across the world!

 

Thus, there has been a boom in the past year in the way people learn new skills. The growing give-and-take of knowledge around the world is turning designers into all-rounders with the skills necessary to tackle modern problems.

 

So, if you are keen on trying something new, expanding your skillset and being future-ready, then check out these avenues for design upskilling and online architecture courses by Oneistox!