Design Seasons: Navigating the Ebbs and Flows of a Design Career
Have you ever noticed how your career feels like a series of phases — each with its own rhythm, energy, and lessons? Much like the natural seasons, a designer’s journey shifts between moments of growth, mastery, reflection, and renewal. Over the years, I have found myself reflecting on my career as a service designer. There have been critical moments that have helped me grow or inspired me to move on to try something new.
A few months ago, I wrote a separate blog on different career paths, with you can read if you want to learn more about exploring different industry paths.
As a mentor to many designers and startups, I have seen similar patterns emerge — moments of epiphany when people decide it’s time for a change. These cycles are what I call the Design Seasons, a framework, a concept that I must credit Andy Polaine for. His work and discussions on this subject have long inspired and shaped my understanding of these cycles to help you understand and navigate the evolving dynamics of your career and the design landscape.
Whether you’re just starting out, thriving in your expertise, or contemplating your next big move, these seasons offer a lens to reflect on where you are and where you’re heading. Let’s dive into these seasons and consider what they reveal about your career path.
Just like the four seasons in a year, Design Seasons mirror the stages of our careers in design. They offer a way to reflect on how we grow, adapt, and evolve over time. The design industry, with its constant flux and innovation, often feels like a continuous cycle — one that challenges us to embrace change and find new opportunities for growth.
- Spring: A time for growth and discovery. It’s where curiosity takes root, and you eagerly dive into new tools, methods, and roles. Early-career designers or those transitioning explore their potential and lay the groundwork for future success.
- Summer: The season of thriving and mastery. You’ve found your rhythm and are leveraging your expertise to make a meaningful impact. This is the time to lead projects with confidence, collaborate effectively, and drive innovation.
- Autumn: A period of reflection and prioritization. With growing confidence, you begin to evaluate patterns in your work — what energizes you, what drains you — and refine your focus. This is when you prioritize meaningful projects and mentor others, enhancing both personal and professional growth.
- Winter: A moment of pause and renewal. It’s the season to reset, recharge, and envision your next chapter. Whether it’s embracing a new role, learning a transformative skill, or preparing for a major career shift, Winter is about finding clarity and setting strategic goals for the future.
I find myself in the Spring season as I embark on an exciting journey of building a new service design capability from scratch within the aviation industry. Moving in-house and working in Saudi Arabia, a country undergoing transformative change, has invigorated my curiosity and challenged me to embrace growth in uncharted territory.
1. Spring: Growth and Experimentation
Spring is a time for beginnings. It’s where curiosity blossoms, and you eagerly dive into new tools, methods, and experiences. For early-career designers or those transitioning into new roles, Spring is about embracing uncertainty and building the foundation for future success.
Adaptability is key in the ever-changing design world. Staying curious and open to learning keeps your skills relevant and your perspective fresh — a hallmark of Spring.
Reflections for Designers:
- Are you giving yourself the space to experiment and fail forward?
- What new challenges or skills excite you right now?
- How might you commit to continuous learning as part of your growth?
2. Summer: Mastery and Productivity
Summer is the season of thriving. You’ve honed your skills and are making a tangible impact through your work. This is when you lead projects with confidence, collaborate effectively, and push boundaries to drive innovation.
Summer is the season to advocate for design’s strategic role within organizations. This is the time when your influence can shape not just individual projects but entire business strategies, driving meaningful and systemic change.
Reflections for Designers:
- Are you leveraging your expertise to make a difference?
- How do you balance productivity with maintaining your creativity?
- What opportunities exist for you to champion design as a strategic driver?
3. Autumn: Reflection and Prioritization
Autumn is a season of introspection. It’s about identifying what’s working, shedding what isn’t, and focusing on the areas that align with your values and goals. This phase is often when designers refine their practices and step into mentorship roles.
Autumn is often when career transitions take shape, whether moving into leadership roles or exploring entirely new directions. This season calls for strategic planning and thoughtful self-reflection to navigate these pivotal moments effectively.
Reflections for Designers:
- What parts of your workflow or mindset are holding you back?
- Are you prioritizing projects that align with your long-term aspirations?
- How you preparing for the next phase of your career with intention?
4. Winter: Rest and Strategic Visioning
Winter is about pause and renewal. It’s when you step back to reflect on the bigger picture, recharge your energy, and set new goals. While it might feel quieter, this season is crucial for envisioning the next chapter of your career.
Winter is a time to embrace the power of constraints and let them guide you toward thoughtful, innovative solutions. Constraints often act as a catalyst for creativity, helping to focus your efforts and uncover opportunities for growth.
Reflections for Designers:
- Are you taking the time to recharge and gain clarity?
- What new possibilities are emerging for you?
- How can constraints inspire your next steps?
The ebb and flow of Design Careers
Nothing in today’s world is linear. Your career isn’t a straight line — it’s a series of seasons, each bringing its own lessons and opportunities. Recognizing where you are in this cycle allows you to make intentional choices that align with your goals and values.
As you navigate your career, consider how the Design Seasons framework can guide you through challenges and opportunities. Let these reflections inspire you to take charge of your path, embrace change, and create a lasting impact in the ever-evolving design landscape.
By aligning with the rhythms of the Design Seasons, you cultivate not just resilience but also purpose and fulfilment — ensuring your career grows and evolves with intention and meaning.
As we enter 2025, take a moment to pause and reflect:
- Are you in Spring, building the foundation for something new?
- Are you in Summer, thriving and leveraging your expertise?
- Are you in Autumn, stepping back to refine and reprioritize?
- Or are you in Winter, ready to recharge and envision the future?
