A comprehensive, well considered list of things designers simply can’t do.

A weird question came across the Dear Design Student desk recently: “What are some things (if any) that designers are incapable of?”

My immediate reaction was, “nothing?!” Why would anyone seek to define limitations to someone’s capabilities? I grew up in a community that assumed anyone from fifty miles out was better, smarter, and more successful. That point-of-view sucks and it took me decades to understand that it’s simply not true.

That said, after giving the question more consideration within the context of my experiences as a designer, I uncovered more than a handful of things designers are incapable of doing.

Things Designers Simply Can’t Do, The List

Each of these points was written based upon a lot of career experience earned the hard way over the last twenty-plus years. There are a lot of bad expectations out there regarding the design trade. That said, if you treat designers right, they can be capable of a lot. Give them the proper support, a collaborative environment, the freedom to do their job, and then prepare to be pleasantly surprised.

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Constant Observer. Occasional Writer. Operations Chief. People Coach. Design Enthusiast. Type Collector.

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Greg Storey

Constant Observer. Occasional Writer. Operations Chief. People Coach. Design Enthusiast. Type Collector.