If you’ve ever looked at your own work and thought, “I’m not really that good. It’s just luck. Any moment now, someone’s going to find out I don’t know what I’m doing,” you’re not alone.
That feeling? It’s called imposter syndrome, and it’s especially common among creatives.
What is Imposter Syndrome?
Imposter syndrome is that persistent voice in your head telling you you’re a fraud—even when there’s plenty of evidence you’re skilled, capable, and talented.
For creatives, it can show up as:
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Dismissing compliments about your designs or campaigns.
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Believing your success comes from luck, not skill.
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Comparing yourself to other designers, artists, or creators and feeling you fall short.
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Thinking you have no business charging what you charge, even if clients love your work.
The tricky part? Imposter syndrome doesn’t go away just because you’ve been in the industry for years or have a full portfolio of happy clients. In fact, sometimes the more you achieve, the louder that inner critic becomes.
Why It’s So Common Among Creatives
Creativity is deeply personal. You’re putting your ideas, skills, and heart out there for others to see—and sometimes critique. That vulnerability alone can make you question yourself.
Here are a few reasons why creatives are especially prone to imposter syndrome:
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Subjectivity in creative work: There’s rarely one “right” answer in design, art, or marketing. Because so much relies on taste and opinion, it’s easy to feel like your work doesn’t measure up.
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Comparison culture: Platforms like Instagram, Behance, and Dribbble show polished, curated work, making it hard to remember that everyone else has messy drafts and failures too.
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The blank canvas effect: Every project starts fresh. Even if you’ve done similar work before, a new brief can make you feel like you’re starting from zero.
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Evolving tools and trends: With design software, social media algorithms, and style trends changing constantly, it’s normal to feel like you’re always behind.
The Difference Between Imposter Syndrome and Healthy Self-Doubt
It’s worth mentioning: self-doubt isn’t always bad. Sometimes, feeling unsure just means you’ve got room to learn or improve.
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Healthy self-doubt says: “I haven’t learned this skill yet—time to practice.”
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Imposter syndrome says, “I’ll never be good enough. Everyone’s going to realise I’m a fraud.”
One leads to growth. The other keeps you stuck.
How to Tackle Imposter Syndrome as a Creative
Here are a few things that can help quiet that inner critic:
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Keep a “wins folder”: Save positive feedback, screenshots of kind words from clients, and projects you’re proud of. When doubt creeps in, revisit it.
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Share your process, not just perfection: Show the messy drafts and iterations. It reminds you (and others) that creativity is never a straight line.
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Talk about it: Most creatives you admire have felt the same way at some point. Joining communities or chatting with peers helps normalise it.
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Limit comparison triggers: Follow creatives who share real, behind-the-scenes stories—not just the highlight reel.
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Celebrate small milestones: Whether it’s learning a new tool or completing a project on time, it all counts.
The Bottom Line
Imposter syndrome often shows up because you care about your work and want to do well. But it doesn’t have to hold you back.
Every creative, from beginners to seasoned pros, experiences self-doubt at some point. What matters is learning to recognise it for what it is—a sign you’re growing, stretching your skills, and doing work that matters.
So next time that voice in your head says “you’re not good enough”, remind yourself: you wouldn’t feel like an imposter if you weren’t already achieving something worth noticing.
