{"id":7454,"date":"2020-03-13T15:49:38","date_gmt":"2020-03-13T19:49:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ceros.com\/inspire\/?p=7454"},"modified":"2021-04-21T11:11:18","modified_gmt":"2021-04-21T15:11:18","slug":"why-you-should-have-older-designer-on-your-team","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ceros.com\/inspire\/originals\/why-you-should-have-older-designer-on-your-team\/","title":{"rendered":"Why You Should Have an Older Designer on Your Team"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading Time: <\/span> 3<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>\n

\u201cExperience\u201d has become a dirty word, bandied about by age-averse managers looking to find reasons to push out older workers<\/a>. Age-based discrimination in the workplace can start as early as 45<\/a>\u2014and that\u2019s especially true in the creative fields. While attitudes may be slowly changing now that older workers are staying in the workforce for longer<\/a>, most businesses have a long way to go before they become any better at accommodating them. But it\u2019s time to take the idea of experience back. Because a designer\u2019s years in the field make a difference when it comes to actually practicing design. Here’s why you should have an older designer in your circle. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They\u2019ve seen it all before<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As we\u2019ve discussed before<\/a>, creativity isn\u2019t just for the young. In fact, a person\u2019s creative output<\/a> often increases as they get older. But beyond creativity, what\u2019s needed to produce good design is a strong background in it\u2014that\u2019s why people with a foundation in design history and a knack for pattern recognition are so valuable.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Older designers tend to have the kind of creative problem-solving skills that only get learned (and passed down to younger colleagues) over time, when circumstance necessitates it. Of course, more experienced designers are also the most reliable institutional memory, quickly drawing on past projects and trends as sources of inspiration. But more valuable than that, they\u2019re unflappable. As advertising powerhouse Cindy Gallop argues, nothing phases older workers<\/a>. They\u2019ve weathered every crisis already. Take the current situation with the coronavirus<\/a>: who in your office reacted with level-headedness and constructive solutions, and who reacted with panic and confusion?\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They\u2019re great communicators<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One of the benefits of having experience working in office environments is that you know how to talk to people. In general, older designers tend to exhibit the soft skills<\/a> that come from years of working on teams and dealing with difficult clients. Their skills and E.Q. make them such good leaders\u2014both internally and externally. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In case you\u2019ve forgotten this incredible diagram of a meeting<\/a> from Pentagram\u2019s Paula Scher, a groundbreaking design often comes down to exquisite presentation. Having a practiced, persuasive communicator in a boardroom is an extremely valuable asset for a design team. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They value work ethic<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A strong work ethic isn\u2019t something that workers are born with; it\u2019s developed over time. That\u2019s because one\u2019s work ethic<\/a> is based on more than just the skills required for a given job. It\u2019s a system of values that are accrued and reinforced. Work ethic encompasses everything from an individual\u2019s time-management skills and focus to their overall perseverance and self-reliance. And studies show that older workers tend to have a stronger work ethic<\/a> than their younger counterparts\u2014even with all their responsibilities outside of the office<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The difference between a good employee and a great one comes down to commitment. Studies have shown that older employees<\/a> tend to value stability more than young workers\u2014and that loyalty<\/a> to one\u2019s job increases with age. In other words, there\u2019s tremendous value to an older worker\u2019s ethic, which can benefit a company\u2019s culture<\/a> (as well as its bottom line). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They\u2019ve got their own networks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not what you know, it\u2019s who you know. And in general, the more experience you have in a given field, the larger your rolodex<\/a>. That\u2019s an important asset to a team, whether you\u2019re at a large agency with a packed roster of clients or at a boutique shop growing your new business. And it\u2019s just one example of how an older designer can become an important model<\/a> that the rest of the team follows. Once younger designers see how business relationships can be maintained over time, they\u2019ll have a greater incentive to forge their own. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They know how to avoid ageist pitfalls<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes, design teams lose sight of the fact that there are people over the age of 35 engaging with their creation. They might make the type too small for someone with poor eyesight. They might make assumptions that the audience will understand how to proceed with the piece, rather than providing clear, concise calls to action. A seasoned designer knows how to catch and avoid these pitfalls that young designers never even think about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They\u2019ve lived<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Older workers are an invaluable resource for any team\u2014not just because they can bring their whole varied careers to their job, but because their age in and of itself is a creative asset. Creativity is a connective process, and in general, the more life experience you have, the more connections you can make.<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many older designers know firsthand how important it is to be adaptable and flexible when it comes to design work, because they\u2019ve had to practice those skills on themselves and their own careers.<\/a> They\u2019re masters of reinvention<\/a>\u2014and they\u2019ve managed to keep working in a youth-obsessed field because they understand that the social conception of age is a bit of an illusion. The mind is adaptable, and good design, like any art form, just comes down to a rigorous practice. So, if you\u2019re hoping to work with a designer who\u2019s at the top of their game, start with someone seasoned. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Think having a team of young artists is the key to cutting edge work? Think again. This is why you should have an older designer on your creative team.<\/div>\n

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