Are designers born or made?

            Difficult question when we can barely give design, let alone art, a solid definition. Or even decide with certainty that design is an art form. But still we ask, where do these designers come from?

            The majority of people who call themselves designers have been calling themselves that for years. They are unable to determine when exactly that became their choice of career. Perhaps they say it was made solid in their high school or college years. But a single moment is extremely difficult to find. Does this mean that these people were born designers. As toddlers, did they rearrange their bedroom, or sketch out their own business card to give out at play-dates? 

            Of course these “born” designers go to school, learn from those who have gone before them and gain great insights into the endless world of design. But, there is something different about these few, they somehow know what they have to offer the world is unique. They know from a very young age that design, be it fashion, or furniture, is what they are meant to contribute to this world.

            To counter these apparently “born” designers, we have those that can pinpoint exactly what made them choose this rocky path. They can sit and tell you about how, when they were 12 years old they picked up a design magazine, and upon opening it said to themselves, “these are my people, this is what I must do with my life”. But what separates the “made” from the “born” is that mystery factor.                                    They aren’t sure what it is about the design world that interests them, they might not have any unique outlooks on products or spaces. But, they decide that this is for them, they will learn what it takes to be great. So research and schooling begins. They dabble in drawing, painting and computer technology. Learning histories, skills, and a new way of looking at the world. Somewhere down the road they begin to create for themselves, that unique, signature style that will set them apart. And so, a designer is made.

            Neither “born” nor “made” is better than the other, simply different. They both share challenges and success stories. They are both educated in history and may draw inspiration from the same sources. The difference in process simply adds a layer of complexity to our flexible definition of design and designer.