No designer is a master of everything, nor do they need to be. But there are always things to learn and having good habits around your design time is essential to growth. Here are five helpful habits for continual growth as a designer:

1. Learn the language of design

Cool design is everywhere, on websites, on Instagram, on Dribbble, in coffee shops. But it's one thing to say "whoa that's cool" and another to say "wow, I really like that use of halftone." (Don't know what halftone is? Start learning here.) Taking the time to actually learn the name of a style you like or a font face on a webpage goes a long way toward your design IQ.

2. Consistently work on something

You don't have to produce a masterpiece every time you open your computer, but consistently returning to the process yields great results in itself. As the old saying goes, "a rolling stone gathers no moss" so don't sit idle by. Having the habit of work creates helpful momentum and can relieve some of the pressure to make perfect or complete work in one sitting. Knowing you will return to your art the next day or next week can bring a lot of focus to your work session now. Just make sure to return regularly to reap the benefits.

3. Try out new styles

Every designer has their own style that they favor and it is often the look they are best known for. But while repetition certainly contributes to mastery, expanding your horizons to new styles every once in a while helps to keep your mind engaged and fresh. If you like flat designs, try your hand at 3D elements in your next piece or rework an existing logo or illustration. You probably have a reason you prefer a certain style, but maybe try creating a similar effect with a different approach. For example, instead of drop shadows to create depth, how might you use changes in color to create a similar effect? How might you use gradients to accomplish this? Try using different techniques and styles. You may not love the end result, but you've challenged your brain, and to stay fresh you have to stay challenged.

4. Turn off/down the inputs

One of my greatest struggles in design is impostor syndrome, and I know I'm not the only one that wrestles with it. Imposter syndrome at its base tells us that we're not good enough and we become anxious that others will see us as the "fraud" we consider ourselves. Often this feeling is exacerbated by comparing our own work to that of well-established designers or those with a style we particularly love. Sites like Instagram and Dribbble are wonderful resources for inspiration, but can be punishing when it comes to creating work of your own. When I'm really struggling to create work of my own, I have to fully unplug. "Inspiration" can quickly become "intimidation," and feeling intimidated is not a healthy headspace for creating your own work. For me, the solution usually looks like deleting apps for a few days to give my mind a few days' reprieve from comparison. Plus, without others' work to look at you're forced to focus on your original style and not copy someone else.