Elitism in Design: Challenges and Path to Inclusivity

Designers often prioritize perfection, but elitism can hinder creativity and accessibility, emphasizing the need for collaboration and kindness.

### The Elitism Problem in Design: Understanding and Overcoming Creative Industry Challenges
* 👑 Creative industries have a long history of celebrated figures exhibiting elitist behavior, often tied to the **pursuit of perfection** and the **need to sell ideas before they exist**.
* 🎨 Designers often face the challenge of balancing **confidence and ego** to sell their ideas effectively, particularly when clients must invest in a vision without **tangible proof**.
* 💼 The competitive nature of design, reliance on subjective judgments, and focus on appearances (like awards) can contribute to **elitism and exclusivity** in the field.
* 🌐 The internet has played a significant role in challenging traditional design elitism, **democratizing access to information** and **fostering more inclusive creative communities**.
* 🤔 While some level of confidence and assertiveness is necessary in design, it's crucial to maintain a balance and **avoid harmful elitist attitudes**.
* 🌍 The push for **more inclusive and accessible design** is gaining momentum, challenging traditional elitist norms and promoting a **more diverse and empathetic approach to creativity**.

Why Are Designers & Creatives Elitist Jerks?

Design Theory

The Elitism and Brutality in Creative Industries

Many successful designers exhibit elitist behavior, which is confusing given their stated goal of improving people's lives.

The pursuit of perfection in design often leads to a ruthless attitude, as seen in the practices of famous figures like Frank Lloyd Wright and Stanley Kubrick.

This culture of constant rejection and demanding excellence can create a toxic work environment, but some argue that a strong ego is necessary to push through resistance and advocate for one's ideas.

The Challenges of Selling Creative Services

Selling creative services involves convincing clients to pay without concrete proof of success.

Confidence and storytelling are crucial in filling the gaps and gaining trust.

However, the pressure to be convincing can lead to a distorted sense of self and elitism, ultimately affecting the quality of the work.

The Pressure and Elitism in the Creative Process

The creative process is filled with self-doubt, dead ends, and pressure from skeptics, making it challenging to maintain confidence.

Designers often prioritize impressing their peers over creating for real people, leading to elitist thinking and exclusionary practices.

The celebration of certain designs can be narrow and culturally biased, with a heavy emphasis on mid-20th century European aesthetics, resulting in a lack of diversity in design perspectives.

The Elitism in Design: A Critical Perspective

The local design school professors ridiculed and banned students from attending an exhibit by Kalani, whose innovative work didn't fit the narrow rules of the design club.

This exclusionary culture has bred elitism in the industry, but recent years have seen a shift towards accepting new and unusual ideas.

The competitive nature of creative industries and the focus on surface-level measures of success contribute to the performative aspects of design, including the questionable validity of design awards.

The Impact of the Internet on Design and Creativity

The internet has made it easier for creatives to share their work and receive feedback, fostering a sense of inclusiveness and authenticity.

It has democratized design education, allowing people to land internships without a degree and making tutorials more accessible.

The shift in mindset around sharing work and the open-source attitude in software development have also influenced design culture, challenging the traditional notion of criticism and improvement.

Humility is a common trait among digital UX designers, and collaboration is key to enhancing creativity.

It's important to provide context when being strict with a team and to give negative feedback privately.

Challenging elitism in design and promoting inclusivity can create a more empowering and accessible creative industry for everyone.