OW designers should work with real clients as well in order to get out of this echochamber that accepts everything they do and tells them "great job, you popped off." (1/?)

If you create any kind of work for someone it's your job to communicate with your client properly. You need to communicate to figure out what THEY want, not what YOU want. (2/?)

You can't feel personally attacked because someone doesn't like what you've created. You have to rework it and if you are struggling: tell your client. People aren't inherently evil and insult or physically hurt you. (if that's the case, quit..) (3/?)

And just because you work for free doesn't mean that you can do whatever you want and get praise for it. This is not healthy and will hold you back in the long run. (4/?)

Designers are more than people who "make pretty stuff." But don't let your clients walk over you, if you don't feel respected: part ways, but be nice about it.

Thanks for listening to my TED talk! (5/5)