“Finding Your Design Style: How I’m Discovering My Unique Voice”

Introduction

One of the most exciting challenges in design school is finding a personal style. Whether you’re a student in Fashion, Interior, Product, UX, or Communication Design, developing a unique voice is essential to stand out in the industry. Here’s how I’m finding mine through exploration and experimentation.

Steps I’m Taking to Discover My Style

1. Trying Different Media and Techniques: Experimenting across various mediums has been eye-opening. As a Fashion student, I’ve explored textile techniques that have influenced my pattern designs. Product and Interior students might experiment with both 3D modeling and handcrafting, while UX and Communication students can learn from mixing digital and print layouts.
   
2. Gathering Inspiration and Observing Trends: I save mood boards on Pinterest and Instagram, but rather than copying, I try to analyze what appeals to me. I focus on textures, colors, and themes that I can adapt, like using minimalist styles in UX designs or blending modern and traditional elements in fashion.
   
3. Personal Projects to Explore and Refine Style: Working on passion projects outside of assignments gives me the freedom to experiment without limitations. For example, I’ve explored sustainable design in Fashion, and a friend in Product Design is working on minimalist furniture. These projects help us discover our unique tastes and preferences.
   
4. Studying Other Designers’ Work for Clues: Following designers and analyzing what makes their work resonate helps me refine my own approach. I ask myself what I admire in their designs—whether it’s the storytelling in Communication or the craftsmanship in Textile Design—and I try to incorporate those qualities into my own work. Personal Projects to Explore and Refine Style: Working on passion projects outside of assignments gives me the freedom to experiment without limitations. For example, I’ve explored sustainable design in Fashion, and a friend in Product Design is working on minimalist furniture. These projects help us discover our unique tastes and preferences.
   

Embracing My Evolving Style

Style is a journey, and I’m learning to embrace it as an ongoing process. Each project reveals something new about my voice as a designer, making me more confident with every step.