I strongly believe in the importance of building trust with team members. In a team, contributions are collective, and it's rare for ideas to come from one person alone. They are usually the result of frequent brainstorming sessions and open sharing. Creating a positive and transparent environment often reduces the chances of misattribution and makes it easier to have open conversations if misunderstandings do arise.

Document your work: Keep records of your design process and contributions for future reference. Communicate openly: Have a one-on-one conversation to express your feelings and perspective calmly, without placing blame. Seek collaboration: Propose working together on future projects to enhance teamwork and reduce misunderstandings. Involve leadership if necessary: If issues persist, consider discussing them with a manager for guidance.

1) Talk to the person who took your idea, ask them to acknowledge that you came up with it first, and try to collaborate or work together on the project. 2) If needed, talk to someone in charge at work for help figuring out what to do next. Don't let it go without addressing the issue, but keep calm and assertive. 3) Be prepared to prove that you came up with the idea first by showing notes or drafts from before they were involved in the project.

Our work is all about teamwork and I'm a big believer in building trust with everyone involved. It's really hard for one person to come up with all the ideas; we usually do that together in meetings or brainstorming sessions. In a transparent and fair environment, this kind of thing doesn't happen.

When a team member claims ownership of a design idea, I find that a calm, professional approach works best. Handling these matters privately helps keep a positive team atmosphere and avoids unnecessary tension. I remind myself—and the team—that we’re all working toward the same goal: the project’s success. Ideas are rarely born from one person alone; they’re often the product of shared brainstorming. With this mindset, I focus on finding a solution that respects everyone’s contributions and reinforces our collaborative spirit. This approach builds trust, which is essential for creativity and keeps us moving forward together.