Support.
what is imposter syndrome?
Imposter syndrome is the persistent belief that success is due to luck, not ability, but it doesn’t mean that you lack ability; it just means your perception of yourself doesn’t align with reality.
Within graphic design, imposter syndrome may be intensified due to the subjective and evaluative nature of creative work, where constant feedback, comparison and evolving standards reinforce perfectionism and self-doubt.
WHY DOES IMPOSTER SYNDROME HAPPEN?
Imposter syndrome happens for many reasons, including:
- High standards – you hold yourself to near-impossible expectations and feel that anything less than perfection means failure.
- Comparison traps – social media and design showcases amplify other people’s best work, while you only see your own flaws up close.
- Workplace culture – environments that reward confidence over competence can make self-doubt worse.
- Personality – people who are introverted, self-critical, or perfectionist often feel impostor syndrome more deeply than those who “just get on with it”.
Overall, impostor syndrome is a reality to reckon with, but it’s one you can address and alleviate the symptoms of when you recognize it as a normal “condition.” Rather than cut it out completely like some toxic growth, the trick is to acknowledge it, manage it, and channel its energy away from negative areas and towards self-growth and positive results.
DO I HAVE IMPOSTER SYNDROME?
Common signs of imposter syndrome include:
- Downplaying success,
- Fearing exposure,
- Over-preparing,
- Avoiding opportunities
- Chronic self-comparison.
You may have imposter syndrome if you experience some of these things, but don’t panic, it’s very common and can be reduced with the strategies below.
HOW ELSE Can i overcome my imposter syndrome?
Although imposter syndrome may not go away completely, there are strategies to help people manage it, including:
- Talking to others and recognising that it isn’t just you who feels this way,
- Redefining what success means, don’t compare your success to someone else’s,
- Challenging negative thoughts and reframing them in a more positive, constructive way,
- Building self-confidence through experience and celebrating progress,
- Reflecting on past successes and keeping a success log.
- Supporting others, helping others with their imposter syndrome, can help ease your own.
IS IMPOSTER SYNDROME GOOD OR BAD?
Imposter syndrome is commonly perceived to be negative, but there are some positives about it that we can channel into our work:
- Keeps you humble: When you recognize you don’t know everything, you’ll find yourself being more open to collaboration.
- Encourages growth: Self-doubt can motivate you to improve skills and seek learning opportunities that can prove your worth all the more to yourself if you ever doubted it before.
- Builds empathy: Your struggles can make you more understanding toward colleagues and users, one reason being that they might well be feeling symptoms of impostor syndrome, themselves, but are too embarrassed to talk about it.
- Signals investment: Feeling impostor syndrome means you care about doing meaningful, high-quality work. That caring element, which also shows up in stage fright, is part of who you are, and your brand is lucky to have you.
So, try to channel the impostor feelings into constructive energy instead of trying to erase them completely.
Here are some supportive resources you can explore, whenever it feels right for you.
Advice UK
Maintains a list of charity, government and other resources to help you navigate the welfare system.
HOPELineUK
For the prevention of young suicide – 0800 068 41 41. Specialist telephone service run by suicide prevention charity Papyrus, staffed by trained professionals who give non-judgemental support, practical advice and information to children, teenagers and young people up to the age of 35 who are worried about how they are feeling, and to anyone who is concerned about a young person.
Mind Infoline
Mind Infoline can talk to you about where you can find help, and about medication and treatments, and more. They can also provide legal information and general advice on mental health-related law. 0300 123 3393 or text 86463. The line is open 9am to 6pm Monday to Friday.
NABS
All advertising and media industry workers can go to NABS for support. The organisation gives advice on personal and work-related issues. Ring their advice line on 0800 707 6607
Samaritans
Samaritans offers a mental health support line 24 hours a day.
Support for the Film & TV industry
If you work in film or TV, you can call the Film and TV Charity Support Line on 0800 054 0000 or send an email support@filmtvcharity.co.uk.
The Design Imposter
”The Design Imposter” podcast, hosted by Jessica Valis and Monique Jenkins, is your go-to resource for creative professionals and aspiring entrepreneurs looking to conquer self-doubt and imposter syndrome in the world of visual design, branding, marketing, communication, social media, and beyond.
The Self Space
Self Space is a contemporary mental health service, offering therapy to individuals, couples and also companies. In a world which is sometimes challenging, frightening, overwhelming, complex and seriously hard to navigate it’s not surprising that sometimes we don’t feel ok. Everyday mental maintenance is an essential part of surviving. Self Space sets out to provide that.