Designers Shouldn't Make Passive Compromises

In the design industry, compromise is actually a neutral term. There are two kinds of compromises: active compromise and passive compromise.

So-called active compromise is when, after thorough communication, discussion, and even confrontation, you genuinely discover that the other person’s idea, creativity, or plan is better than yours. At this moment, you bravely and honestly say, “Hey, yours is better, I concede.” That’s active compromise. Active compromise is often difficult, especially when you compromise with your subordinate, a non-design professional, or even a user.

So-called passive compromise is when you’ve exhausted every effort to sell a design concept, but ultimately it’s not accepted. The other party uses some non-design authority to overpower you—maybe they’re the client, your superior, or the customer. At this point, you’re forced to accept their plan, and that’s a passive compromise. Passive compromise is often easy. Many times, the voice inside is, “Fine, have it your way. After all, you’re the client, the boss, the leader; do it your way, whatever.”

When designers adopt a resigned attitude and make a passive compromise, they think: whether it’s done well or poorly, it’s your idea, your decision—I just execute. It’s easier for me this way, taking home a paycheck, so why should I torture myself?

But honestly, passive compromise has two major negative impacts on your career.

First, in design, you still bear the responsibility. When you receive feedback, whether it’s good or bad, it’s just a small segment in the design system. Even if it’s great feedback or an idea, if you passively accept a piece of feedback without actively digesting it and just execute passively, it can disrupt the design logic. Ultimately, it may result in a flawed design that can’t be a complete work.

If the situation deteriorates that badly, who should bear the blame for the poor design outcome? Even if you want to say, “You made this decision initially; I just executed,” your client, boss, or leader can rightly say, “You’re the designer; you’re the one we paid.” And honestly, they’re correct. You’re the designer; you’re responsible for the design outcome.

Second, and most importantly, continuous passive compromises are eroding your precious design passion. If you’re still pursuing design, especially in the early years of your career, you likely carry a passion for design and strive for excellence. This passion and pursuit, the love for design, is invaluable and needs protection.

When you frequently make passive design compromises just to maintain a stable job or income, you’re trading your precious design passion for other things. Put plainly: you’re killing the great designer living inside you.

So, as a designer, regularly assess your motivations and attitude—are they active or passive? Everyone has pursuits, positions, and even bottom lines. A designer without pursuit, position, or bottom line isn’t worth collaborating with.

That’s why Proverbs 4:23 says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”

I recall my first full-time design job after graduating college in a startup internet company in Changsha. Because the company was small, I worked directly with the boss.

The boss asked, “Do you have any questions or requests?” I responded, “In our future collaboration, you can provide any feedback or requests, but please always explain the reasons or rationale. I can’t accept overly subjective feedback like ‘I don’t feel good’ or ‘I find it strange.’”

The boss was slightly surprised but also appreciative. Perhaps he saw or sensed a designer with pursuit and attitude—even if I was just a fresh design rookie out of school.