You might think that it’s the most Gen Z thing to say that “we need to challenge the status quo, blah blah blah”, and you’re right, it’s Gen Z, and you can’t stop it. In fact, it’s already happening, because Gen Z, which I’m part of, are entering the workforce, and we don’t like how things are. We also don’t like how many things are done in this world, and how the generation before us slept on them. Sorry, millennials, no offence, but you were too big of conformists in this world, and look where it got us.

So why is it so important to have your voice as a designer, be it a Gen Z or not, to not conform to the status quo? Because the job market and life are so competitive you need to stand out with how you present yourself, how you market yourself, what you do, how you do it, and that you always challenge what’s there in front of you.

For example, I didn’t only apply through LinkedIn for my graduation internship, I also went uninvited to several high-profile agencies to set up interviews, talk on the spot, and just have an adventure as well. Did it work? Of course it did, even though they were shocked and sometimes even annoyed, it got me an interview in almost all instances, and never left a bad impression on me. Actually, it made me appear relentless and willing to show effort and outside-of-the-box thinking, when others, like my Lithuanian friend, would cry in the corner and smoke some cigarettes in vain, which you shouldn’t because it’s unhealthy and you can be stronger and better and fight for the things you want in life and love.

Having said that, you have to always look for the brighter side of the coin, and even if something doesn’t turn out the way you want, think about the solution and approach it from another angle. Don’t let someone’s old-school approach or close-minded thinking prevent you from trying in the first place, because more often than not, the barriers only exist in our mind and don’t exist in the real world. Even if they do, you should try until you hear a hard no, which, after some time of break, can turn to a sounding yes.

The Status Quo and Why It Sucks

You might ask, Andreas, I’m introverted and not extroverted like you to do that. Bullshit, anybody can do it, and there are no excuses for that. Even if that can be daunting for some people, I also was in a place of high introversion, and let me tell you, I only became braver after hearing stories from my friends and realizing that I’m just 21, have a wonderful life, and there is nothing that should stop me from reaching for what I want in life.

Trust me, I’ve been on a lot of dark days during my journey when I thought that I wouldn’t make it through on the other side, or that there is no way I can get the life I dreamed about.

And you know what? I did it faster than I ever anticipated, by actively not doubting myself, not doubting my choices, and above all, following this quote: “You can’t go to places physically until you go there emotionally first.” This is the most important thing, whatever you approach in life, be it work, relationships, travel, you name it.

To go somewhere or get something, you first need to see it with your eyes of imagination, and then your actions and choices are a deliberate representation of where you’re heading. That’s why everybody says the journey is more important than the destination because the destination is based on what you do during your journey, and who you meet. You may have a faint idea of what you want to do in life, but if you focus on this one thing that makes you happy and dive deep, you’ll learn a lot, meet new people, and go to new places you never even thought about, and before you know it, you’ll arrive at the destination, not because you deliberately planned the journey, but because you allowed the journey to take you emotionally to your destination first.

So what is the status quo, and why does it suck? The status quo is the existing state of affairs, the way things are and have been for a long time. It’s the norms, the rules, and the conventions that shape the way we think and act. It’s the comfort zone, the safe zone, the easy zone. It’s the zone that sucks because it limits our potential, our creativity, and our impact.

How to Challenge the Status Quo and Why It Rocks

So how do we challenge the status quo, and why does it rock? Challenging the status quo is the opposite of accepting it. It’s the act of questioning, criticizing, and changing the way things are and the way things should be. It’s the act of stepping out of the comfort zone, the safe zone, the easy zone. It’s the zone that rocks because it unleashes our potential, our creativity, and our impact.

But how do we challenge the status quo as UX designers? Here are some tips and examples that can help you:

• Learn from different sources: The first step to challenge the status quo is to expand your knowledge and inspiration from different sources. Don’t limit yourself to the apps and websites that you’re familiar with, but explore the ones that are popular in other regions and cultures. Don’t rely on the same resources and courses that you’ve always used, but seek new and updated ones. Don’t follow the same trends and technologies that everyone else is following, but experiment with new and emerging ones.

• Break the rules and conventions: The second step to challenge the status quo is to break the rules and conventions that govern the way we design. Don’t stick to the same patterns and templates that you’ve always used, but try new and different ones. Don’t adhere to the same standards and guidelines that everyone else is following, but question and challenge them. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes and fail, but learn from them and improve.

• Be creative and innovative: The third step to challenge the status quo is to be creative and innovative in your design solutions. Don’t settle for the obvious and easy solutions, but look for the hidden and unexpected ones. Don’t copy and paste what others have done, but create your own original and unique solutions. Don’t be satisfied with the good enough solutions, but strive for the best and most impactful ones.

Example of Challenging the Status Quo in UX Design

There are many examples of UX designers who have challenged the status quo and created amazing products and services that have changed the world, but my favourite of all of them is Airbnb.

It challenged the status quo of the travel and hospitality industry, by creating a platform that allows people to rent out their homes to travellers. Airbnb not only solved the problem of finding affordable and authentic accommodation but also created a community of hosts and guests who share their experiences and cultures.

Airbnb broke the rules and conventions of the traditional hotel booking system, by offering various options, such as private rooms, entire homes, or even castles and treehouses. Airbnb was creative and innovative in its design solutions, such as the star rating system, the wish list feature, and the neighbourhood guides that put them beyond and ahead of everyone else, which is still constantly true to this very day.

Conclusion

As a Gen Z UX Designer, I think that by challenging the status quo, I’m not only developing myself as a UX designer but also contributing to the development of the UX design field. I’m also not only following the trends and technologies that are popular and available right now but also exploring and creating the trends and technologies that are yet to be broadly accepted by the general public.

That’s why I think that designers should expand their horizons and not be afraid to go outside of their comfort zone, as it opens up an ocean of information and possibilities that we had no idea even existed. By doing so, we can become better UX designers, and above all, live more fulfilling lives true to our inner calling and aspirations.

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