When I was really young, I had this kind of weird thing that used to drive my parents crazy — I was super fussy about my teachers. What made this quirk even more interesting was that, It wasn’t about how famous or awesome they were. It was all about this gut instinct I had, and it seriously messed with how well I did in school.

As I grew up, I realized something about my “picky” teacher thing. It seemed that, before accepting someone as my teacher, I wanted to understand their passion for the subject. If their mindset touched me, I’d be all-in, trusting and following them, no matter what others thought. This way of thinking actually paved the way for my experiences with mentors in the design world, during my self-discovery journey in the US.

Can you even imagine? The world of design is like this incredible sky, filled with a bunch of awesome and super creative folks working together to make a real impact. But you know what? Not everyone in that sky touched me in the same way. As a newbie in this field, I couldn’t help but be deeply intrigued by this group of people — kind of “silent” or flying under the radar. Are they designers? Yep, they sure are. But I see something more. They have unique vibes, sparks in their eyes and their stories carry souls.

After countless chats with these people, I’ve finally cracked it — that vibe I sense from their way of thinking got a name: ‘Pattern.’ And those patterns in their thoughts all trace back to the same mindset, one that’s all about facilitating the teamwork.

“Always say YES when someone asks you for help, even though you’re not ready yet.”

“Always show up and ask yourself, what value you can bring to the table.”

“When you give away more, the more you gain.”

“The essence of design is to facilitate the teamwork.”

(Four priceless quotes I’ve gathered and will forever keep in mind from design facilitators.)

As my journey continued, I stumbled upon something deeply intriguing: the role of a facilitator demands more time and effort than merely wearing the hat of a designer. It took me months of hands-on experience to truly realize what it means to be a ‘facilitator.’ Sometimes it’s a bit of a bummer, as it translates to constant self-push to learn more, care more, and contribute more. It’s like turning up the knobs of visualization, thinking, and prediction to the max. Lots of people talk about loving human-centered design, but truth is, sometimes their solutions don’t really match the mindset. As I get into the groove of being a facilitator in team setups, there’s this one question that always pops up in our first meet — ‘So, what’s your motivation for doing this kind of thing?’ While we often step in with problems to solve and opportunities to seize, there’s a whole deeper layer of motivation. It’s rooted in a genuine passion for people, coupled with a unique facilitator’s vibe.In the past, I often questioned whether I was on the right path to becoming a good designer. Now I’ve come to realize that being on the right track isn’t about picking the perfect course, landing a fancy job, or finding a stellar mentor. It’s about embracing the role of a facilitator before even being a designer. From there, the visual skills, storytelling, product mindset, rationale, and design tools naturally fall into place.

I’m forever grateful for the facilitators I’ve encountered who have inspired me greatly in this industry. I hope my journey of self-improvement can offer you a touch of inspiration too.🚀💡