The ‘Lone Genius’ in Design: A Myth

Introduction

In the world of design, there's a persistent myth that glorifies the individual as the sole architect of success. This narrative often portrays designers as lone geniuses, single-handedly revolutionizing their field. But is this the whole truth? In this article, we'll explore why this notion might be more myth than reality, focusing on the crucial role of teamwork, collaboration, and diversity of thought in driving design successes.

A Look Back at Team Successes

Contrary to popular belief, many iconic designs attributed to individual 'geniuses' were born from collaboration. Take, for example, the relationship between Steve Jobs and Jony Ive. Their dynamic collaboration was instrumental in shaping Apple’s product success. It wasn’t just the vision of Jobs or the design skills of Ive but their combined efforts that led to groundbreaking innovations.?

Undervaluing Collaboration

The concept of a lone genius overlooks the inherently collaborative nature of design. Success in design is seldom the work of one mind. It involves a symphony of skills, from research to execution. Each role, be it a researcher, designer, or client, plays a pivotal part. Challenging ideas among a group of people who are committed to excellence often leads to a more refined, effective final product.?

Studies back this up. The Harvard Business Review found that teams are better decision-makers than individuals 87% of the time. This shows that when different people put their heads together, they come up with more solid decisions. Also, Deloitte discovered that teams collaborating are five times more likely to deliver creative and innovative results. This means when different ideas and perspectives mix, they tend to spark more creativity.

Diversity of Thought

Diverse teams bring varied perspectives, leading to more innovative and inclusive designs. This concept is similar to the idea that seven different people can witness the same event, such as a car accident, and each have a distinct account of what happened. Just as these varied perspectives can provide a more comprehensive understanding of an event, in design, collaborating with colleagues from different disciplines — like Research, Content Design, Product, Marketing, and Engineering — enriches the design process.

Each individual's unique way of thinking contributes to a broader, more nuanced view. This challenges the narrow viewpoint often associated with the 'lone genius' mentality, resulting in richer and more effective designs. The diversity in thought, much like the multiple eyewitness accounts, brings depth and breadth to creativity that would otherwise be missed.

Just like Steve, Jony, and their team at Apple showed us, 'Thinking Different' together leads to great products. It's the multitude of perspectives, much like the varied eyewitness accounts, that drives innovation. By embracing this diversity, we unlock the potential for more creative, inclusive, and effective design solutions.

Learning and Growth

Being part of a design team offers more than just an opportunity to contribute; it's a chance to grow and learn from each other.

At Meta, I led the design for the internal tools team, focusing on products that enhanced the work, life, and careers of our employees. My role involved refining design processes, enriching the design language, and simplifying complex information systems within the company.

The collaborative redesign of Meta's 'People Portal' vividly illustrated the power of teamwork. Each team member brought unique skills and perspectives that were crucial to the project's success.

For instance, our content designer's ability to streamline content dramatically improved user navigation, making the portal more intuitive and user-friendly. Simultaneously, the UX researcher's deep dive into user behavior led to a design that resonated well with our users' needs.

A key, yet subtle, aspect of our project was ensuring the portal's effectiveness across both web and mobile platforms. In this endeavor, I worked closely with a fellow designer, sharing the responsibility of integrating responsive design and harmonizing the information architecture (IA). Our joint efforts resulted in a design that seamlessly adapted to different devices, ensuring a consistent and user-friendly experience regardless of the platform. This was a critical enhancement, given the diverse ways employees interact with the portal.

This project was a perfect example of how each team member's contribution leads to collective growth. It wasn't just about combining skills to create a user-friendly design; it was also about learning from each other's expertise. By working closely together, we didn't just redesign a portal; we created an environment of shared knowledge and skills enhancement.

The Role of Feedback

In the design process, feedback is gold. The concept of the lone genius doesn't account for the essential role that feedback plays in shaping the final design. Designs often evolve through critique and iteration. Feedback, whether from peers or clients, is where the magic happens. It helps designers identify blind spots and grow, pushing them closer to success.

The Pressure of Genius

The myth of the lone genius can create unrealistic expectations, leading to pressure and potential burnout. It's important to acknowledge the effort and struggle that goes into design work, rather than glorifying an unrealistic image of effortless genius. As Thomas Edison famously said, 'Genius is one percent inspiration, ninety-nine percent perspiration.' This reminds us that success in design is less about sudden flashes of brilliance and more about continuous hard work, persistence, and dedication. Recognizing this can help designers understand that it's normal to face challenges and that true achievement comes from perseverance, not just innate talent.

Fly Together

In design, as in a flock of birds, true strength emerges from unity and collaboration, not solitary flight.

Conclusion

By rethinking the narrative around success in design, we can foster a more inclusive and realistic understanding of how designs come to life. Emphasizing collaboration, diversity, and community over the myth of the lone genius not only offers a more accurate picture of the design process but also promotes a healthier, more sustainable approach to creative work.

Call to Action

The 'lone genius' myth in experience design is outdated. True innovation stems from collaboration and diverse perspectives. Share how teamwork has shaped your successes. Join the discussion and help redefine design success.