Cultivating Professional Identity in Design

<p><em>Cultivating Professional Identity in Design</em> is a nuanced comprehensive companion for designers across disciplines honing their identities self-perception personal strengths and essential attributes. Designers’ identities whether rooted in education workforce training digital technology arts and graphics built environment or other fields are always evolving influenced by any combination of current mindset concrete responsibilities team dynamics and more. Applicable to designers of all contexts this inspiring yet rigorous book guides practitioners and students to progress with ten key traits: empathy uncertainty creativity ethics diversity/equity/inclusion reflection learning communication collaboration and decision-making.</p><p>Though it details a complete journey from start to finish this book acknowledges the varying paths of designers’ roles and is structured for a flexible highly iterative reading experience. Segments can be read individually or out of order and revisited for new insights. Current and future stages of development – education experience early-career opportunities mid-career accomplishments and/or career transitions – are factored in without hierarchy. Specific takeaways activities and reflection exercises are intended to work across settings and levels of experience. Design hopefuls and experts alike will find a new way to participate in and persevere through their work.</p>