A Synopsis of The Case of You’re Not Generic … So Why Act That Way? Featuring How to Think Life a Great Graphic Designer by Debbie Millman

Chloe has been working in the field of graphic design for over twenty years, completing design and advertising commissions for major publishing corporations. She designed and authored her first book over ten years ago. Her second book has been on the back burner since then.

Her intuitive ability to come up with ideas and her passion for excellence led her to become an influential and sought after designer. But somewhere along the way, something changed, but she didn't know what, and without knowing the what, she was struggling to know what to do.

So, when her boss Ava said to her: “You’renot generic … So why act that way? These words hit home for Chloe. She knew they were true. What she didn't know was what to do about them.

Chloe met with Harry, a longtime friend and mentor, who always had a wise way of looking at and seeing things. He immediately asked Chloe the question she had been struggling with: "What's changed?" Chloe still couldn't answer. As much as she knew something had changed, she still couldn't pinpoint what it was or when it happened.

Harry suggested this was the question she needed to reflect upon. This was the question that would allow her to give herself the self-feedback she needed to be able to know what to do. He went on to suggest a book that might give her the clarity and insight she needed to be able to answer this question.

The book was: How to Think Like a Great Graphic Designer by Debbie Millman.

The stories in the book spoke to Chloe.

Vaughan Oliver, in particular, gave voice and words to what Chloe was feeling: "I would like to get back my love for graphic design, because I think I've lost it." His story resonated with Chloe. He spoke about how he can get stuck in his mind, and how when that happens, his anxiety increases, how his self-doubt creeps in.

He went on to talk about the change in the industry - both technological and cultural changes that have caused disempowerment, and it's the disempowerment that fuels self-doubt. He said there's lack of rebelliousness and surprise in the industry right now; and went on to say he no longer has the satisfaction at the end of the day, of a day's work well done.

Everything he said resonated with Chloe. She had found her answer to the question: What's Changed? It was an answer that went deeper and wider than she had realised, and it was painful. But she knew it was what she needed to be able to move on.

The case study explores how Chloe could apply the wisdom and the lessons she was taking from the book to the challenging situation she was trying to navigate through.

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