Parental approval is one of those biological responses embedded in humans leading to the need for validation of lifestyle decisions and choices. Regardless of how old we get, there’s always the hope that at least our parents could get on board with our choices no matter how old we get.
For career paths, the struggle is real; children often engage in fields accepted by parents. However, for many, career disapproval only comes towards fields in the art section, e.g., design, like Ashura when forced to study nursing instead of fashion design.
Today’s Morning post features a designer experiencing similar sentiments from parents back home. Lanre’s an accomplished Brand identity designer but there’s still some tension in his chosen profession.
Here’s Lanre’s take on Parents and their sentiments towards graphic designers
Q1: What’s daily life like as a designer?
Life as a designer is pretty straightforward. The day usually starts later than most people’s because, well, designers tend to work late into the night. I wake up, go through the usual morning routine, and then head straight to my workspace—which, for me, is also in my room. From there, it’s just me, my laptop, tablet, and phone, deep in thought, designing, and creating.
Honestly, it can be a bit monotonous. You sit for long hours, immersed in your work, thinking, refining, and experimenting. It’s a quiet, sometimes isolating process. Boring? Maybe. But it has its own kind of thrill.
Q2: Are designers equal to other professions?
The value of a profession is in what it contributes to a business or society. Designers work across industries—whether B2B or B2C—so it’s not about whether one profession is “on par” with another. The real difference lies in how professions are glamorized.
It’s like comparing a carpenter to an engineer. The engineer may design the blueprint, but someone has to bring it to life. Designers do the same for ideas—we shape and present them in ways that make them sell. So, rather than comparing professions, I’d say design is an essential part of human interaction and communication.
Q3: Can you compare a designer’s role to a doctor’s?
Let’s be real—one is saving lives, the other is saving PDFs. You don’t need a doctor to export a design file, just like you wouldn’t call a designer for CPR.
That said, every profession has its own significance. A doctor preserves human life, but a designer plays a crucial role in shaping businesses, brands, and even the way people interact with the world. It’s just a different kind of impact.
Q4: How do your relatives view your profession?
My family is quite supportive, but deep down, I know they would prefer I used my degree and worked in the construction industry. They like the idea of saying, “My child is an engineer.”
But then, when they see me working from home in shorts, without the traditional 9-5 structure, it doesn’t fit their expectations. That’s an African thing, though—stability matters more than creativity. Still, they don’t look down on my work, which I appreciate.
Q5: Do designers give the profession a bad reputation?
To some extent, yes. Design, despite how glamorous it seems, can be a lonely profession. A lot of designers work in isolation, which can make them appear distant or difficult to relate to.
Also, because people don’t always appreciate the value of design, designers sometimes struggle to communicate their worth. When clients or employers don’t take the profession seriously, it creates friction. Some designers handle this frustration poorly, which can contribute to the stereotype that designers are difficult.
But at its core, the issue isn’t with designers—it’s with how people perceive the profession.
Q6: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Still in the design industry, but not actively designing. I see myself transitioning into marketing—selling ideas, visions, and products rather than just creating them. I might still do some design work occasionally, but my focus will be more on the business side of things.
Why do parents Disapprove of art courses?
To many, the art field is a welcome hobby and not to be considered a serious path. It’s great to play the violin but not to make it a 9-5 job. An artboard is useful for spare time but not a full day’s activity, and it’s great if you knit but don’t let that distract you!
Why does this happen? Why do artistic careers, no matter how lucrative, still carry an air of skepticism—especially among parents?
Here are three deep-rooted reasons:
- The Struggling Artist Theory – Many artists undervalue their work, leading to lower earnings compared to their counterparts in other industries. This reinforces the stereotype of the “broke artist.”
- The Addiction Stereotype – The pressure to be creative can sometimes push individuals toward substance abuse, fueling the perception that artistic careers are unstable.
- Societal Regard – Artistic talent is often seen as innate, requiring fewer formal qualifications. In contrast, careers like medicine or law, which demand extensive education, tend to receive higher societal prestige.
But Money Changes Everything
If you’re a designer, writer, or artist, you’ve probably had at least one conversation that ended with:
❌ “That’s nice, but what’s your real job?”
❌ “So… when are you getting serious about your future?”
❌ “Designing logos? But you studied engineering!”
But here’s the truth: these questions rarely get asked when the artist is financially successful.
No one doubts a designer who can buy their mom a luxury wristwatch. No one questions an artist who lands a six-figure contract. Money has a way of silencing doubt.
Your design skills hold the key to an entirely new life. Whether you’re earning pennies or already securing high-ticket clients, there’s always a way to level up.
Want to Start Making More? Here’s How.
If you’re struggling with pricing, recognition, or building a sustainable creative career, we’ve got resources to help you grow—and maybe even hit your first $ 100-per-day gig.
🚀 Here are NGD’s top posts to help you thrive as a designer:
🔹 7 Reasons Designers Struggle with Low Fees
🔹 Why Designers Still Charge $2K Per Design & How to Avoid it
🔹Easy ways for managing deadlines no matter the timeframe
🔹 The secret to getting video gigs daily booked constantly
🔹 How to Attract Clients that pay extremely well
Creativity is valuable. In fact, the global creative industry was valued at $57.5 billion in 2023—powering branding, advertising, and communication across every sector.
The sooner you charge what you’re worth, the sooner the world and everyone around you can drop their hats.