A Designer, A Servant:
What is the role of a designer?
In the early days, as I daydreamed about becoming a designer, I held certain expectations about what this role would entail. I envisioned designers as the architects of beautiful, innovative ideas that we could all enjoy and embrace. While I wasn’t entirely off the mark, I had overlooked a crucial element that lies at the heart of being a designer, and that element is “service”.
At its core, a designer is a servant. As a designer, your primary duty is to identify the needs, desires, and problems in your environment, your community, and the world at large that you can solve with your unique skills and knowledge. My mentor, Eugenie Drakes, used to tell me, “Kgomotso, it’s not about you,” every time I presented new product ideas. At first, I didn’t fully grasp what she meant, but over time, it became clear, especially as I received feedback from our clients about our LUCID products.
I realized that these designs meant something different to me than they did to our clients. For instance, our LUCID X Treasure Baloyi Holsters were initially designed as stylish accessories that let you carry your essentials, leaving your hands free for life’s activities. Albeit through feedback, we discovered that we had overlooked critical aspects, such as the pocket size accommodating only certain cellphone models comfortably, leaving others out. What’s more, our clients were using these holsters as a form of self-expression, forming emotional connections with them. In response, we introduced customization and personalization services, even incorporating storytelling into our work.
We had identified a need that went beyond mere function and practicality, a need for identity and self-expression. This realization reshaped our journey as a design business. We understood that our purpose was to utilize our design skills to enable people to express themselves, showcasing their identity and uniqueness through style and creativity. As the head designer of Madi Lucent, my mission is to understand and capture our clients’ desires, hopes, and stories using my creativity and skills. It’s about serving these desires and wants in a way that celebrates our clients’ beauty, uniqueness, and their essence through quality, well-crafted products, because that’s what they truly deserve.
In the world of design, it’s all about how effectively you serve the needs of your clients. It’s about seeing and hearing your clients, meeting their expectations, and perhaps even surpassing them. When you’re in the business of design, you’re not creating for yourself; you’re creating for those who need your expertise. Your uniqueness and special talents are meant to be employed in acts of service to others. This is precisely why a design brief is so vital—it guides you in understanding the problem you’re meant to solve and leads you toward the creation of a fitting solution.
That’s why constructive criticism and product testing are indispensable in the design process. You need feedback from the very people you’re creating for; otherwise, your design becomes irrelevant. Sometimes, we may overdesign or, conversely, under-design. The only way to genuinely ascertain if you’re on the right path is to ask and, more importantly, listen to your clients. (Just have that pinch of salt and slice of lemon close by, for good measure!)
As designers, we should always remember that being a good designer means our ability to serve our clients, people, and community effectively. It’s about employing our creative gifts in a manner that makes a positive impact on the lives of our clients. It’s about being attuned to the needs of our people and our world, whether those needs are emotional or practical. Utilizing our unique creative approach to serve these needs is the true essence of being a remarkable designer.
Do you agree with our definition of a designer’s role? Please share your thoughts. We’d like to hear from you.
