Thanks for sharing, Kyle! Love this sentiment and learning about your journey. I’ve had a hard time self-identifying as an expert, especially in areas that aren’t my primary job. I’m at the point of growth where I’m aware of what I don’t know and that sometimes stops me from sharing what I do. Even if it’s something I’ve been doing my whole life, I’m better than many people at it but there are so many people better than me.
Obviously even experts have things they are still learning in their field; I would love to get your take on different criteria that can help build confidence in one’s expertise level, especially absent of traditional means (like degree credentials or job titles). Maybe a “You might be an expert if…” with more examples as a follow up!
Hi, Allison- thanks for the note and the request for more info on this topic. You hit on something really important there with your comment about experts still learning in their field. I think that's a crucial bit of info. But, there is also something I didn't touch on in this post that is key: while some people might be as good as (or even better than) you at doing something, they likely don't do it the same WAY and that is sometimes the most marketable ingredient in a person's success story: their individual approach. The smallest difference in the way you perform a task, simply because you're *you* can sometimes be the differentiating factor that attracts people to you and your business/ your work. For me, the heavy focus on emulating natural media became that thing, and to a lesser degree, my creative and fun names for the brushes, my corny video ads, and the illustrations I did to support the brushes. All of this stuff came out of who I am as a person and what interests me. My personality was part of KyleBrush and it seeped into everything I did with the products and the business. So, I think that's something to discover within yourself, as well - what is it about your personality, your personal approach, your distinct way of looking at the world and at a project or task that can make it stand out? Can you lean into that and make it your brand? Your point of differentiation?
As for "you might be an expert if ..." -- maybe the simplest way to finish that sentence is as follows: you might be an expert if the following things are true:
1) You often do something yourself because you're consistently dissatisfied by the result when others do it (whether because of speed, quality, or both).
2) You hear FROM OTHERS that they prefer the way you do something.
3) You notice that doing a certain thing has become easy for you, when others say it's hard.
Thanks for the post Kyle. Gets one to think more critically. I think for me, it comes from experiencing something in real time. For example, I consider myself to be pretty motivated and educated in terms of taking our household income and maximizing it in terms of savings rate/investing rate. While I do feel I am more educated than most, my "education" can get in the way sometimes and I end up overthinking or over optimizing. This can lead to underperformance (which is tough for a Type A personality). I am coming to realize more that being directionally accurate is more important than perfection.
Good post. I'm trying to follow up with your presence in different social media over the years and as a senior , (from Istanbul) , I have to say that you are a real "one of a kind". Personally , I have to admit that I have never been succesfull in my private art projects compared to my professional life although I am rather better than many professional illustrators and writers or photographers. (I am an Industrial Engineer , and a retired Chief Information Officer from an international conglomerate.) But I have always tried to move on either with drawing, illustration, literature, photography etc. to catch and fill the void of daily life. On this "survival by learning and art" principle one could expanse the required endurance only., which you are doing well enough. Keep up the good work and be safe.
I love your enthusiasm. From editing weird satyrical science-fiction newspapers to organizing +18 parties, I've done a lot that goes far from my professional activity — and that doesn't pay my bills. I'm looking forward to whatever is coming
Hi, Angelo - I believe the most important thing is to find time in your life to do what you like and be with people you enjoy. Sometimes, this leads to a successful business without any designs for such a thing to happen, and sometimes you just enjoy life with your hobbies and friends. Both are great outcomes! : )
This is actually the first newsletter i have read fully ever. And i have subscribed to a lot, being of design, writers and comic artists and other stuff. Not for lack of not being interested but for not having time for it. I know, they always say find the time, but not easy with working at home with the family here. Anyway, i love your products, and honestly havent followed into Adobe but i hope i will, there's so many stuff to do and so little time, to explore and play with brushes! I can't think of anything i'm really good at, at least not better than others but i guess being a graphic designer and a illustrator (mostly vectors) and working for many recognized bands in my country doing their gigposters and record artwork must count for something.
Thanks for taking the time to write this comment and I am so glad to know this content is interesting to you. I will continue to share as much as I can about what I have learned over the last two decades as a creative professional - all the ups and downs. I hope you continue to get something out of this newsletter. And as for a unique quality, skill, way of thinking … I’m sure you do have one (or several), but sometimes it takes another person in your life to point it out to you! We often take some of our strengths for granted.
Thanks for sharing, Kyle! Love this sentiment and learning about your journey. I’ve had a hard time self-identifying as an expert, especially in areas that aren’t my primary job. I’m at the point of growth where I’m aware of what I don’t know and that sometimes stops me from sharing what I do. Even if it’s something I’ve been doing my whole life, I’m better than many people at it but there are so many people better than me.
Obviously even experts have things they are still learning in their field; I would love to get your take on different criteria that can help build confidence in one’s expertise level, especially absent of traditional means (like degree credentials or job titles). Maybe a “You might be an expert if…” with more examples as a follow up!
Hi, Allison- thanks for the note and the request for more info on this topic. You hit on something really important there with your comment about experts still learning in their field. I think that's a crucial bit of info. But, there is also something I didn't touch on in this post that is key: while some people might be as good as (or even better than) you at doing something, they likely don't do it the same WAY and that is sometimes the most marketable ingredient in a person's success story: their individual approach. The smallest difference in the way you perform a task, simply because you're *you* can sometimes be the differentiating factor that attracts people to you and your business/ your work. For me, the heavy focus on emulating natural media became that thing, and to a lesser degree, my creative and fun names for the brushes, my corny video ads, and the illustrations I did to support the brushes. All of this stuff came out of who I am as a person and what interests me. My personality was part of KyleBrush and it seeped into everything I did with the products and the business. So, I think that's something to discover within yourself, as well - what is it about your personality, your personal approach, your distinct way of looking at the world and at a project or task that can make it stand out? Can you lean into that and make it your brand? Your point of differentiation?
As for "you might be an expert if ..." -- maybe the simplest way to finish that sentence is as follows: you might be an expert if the following things are true:
1) You often do something yourself because you're consistently dissatisfied by the result when others do it (whether because of speed, quality, or both).
2) You hear FROM OTHERS that they prefer the way you do something.
3) You notice that doing a certain thing has become easy for you, when others say it's hard.
Thanks so much for the thoughtful reply, that’s super helpful advice!
Thanks for the post Kyle. Gets one to think more critically. I think for me, it comes from experiencing something in real time. For example, I consider myself to be pretty motivated and educated in terms of taking our household income and maximizing it in terms of savings rate/investing rate. While I do feel I am more educated than most, my "education" can get in the way sometimes and I end up overthinking or over optimizing. This can lead to underperformance (which is tough for a Type A personality). I am coming to realize more that being directionally accurate is more important than perfection.
Hi, Jordan - it sounds like you definitely have one of the most practical skills a person could want!
Well, that's certainly nice if you to say!
Good post. I'm trying to follow up with your presence in different social media over the years and as a senior , (from Istanbul) , I have to say that you are a real "one of a kind". Personally , I have to admit that I have never been succesfull in my private art projects compared to my professional life although I am rather better than many professional illustrators and writers or photographers. (I am an Industrial Engineer , and a retired Chief Information Officer from an international conglomerate.) But I have always tried to move on either with drawing, illustration, literature, photography etc. to catch and fill the void of daily life. On this "survival by learning and art" principle one could expanse the required endurance only., which you are doing well enough. Keep up the good work and be safe.
I love your enthusiasm. From editing weird satyrical science-fiction newspapers to organizing +18 parties, I've done a lot that goes far from my professional activity — and that doesn't pay my bills. I'm looking forward to whatever is coming
Hi, Angelo - I believe the most important thing is to find time in your life to do what you like and be with people you enjoy. Sometimes, this leads to a successful business without any designs for such a thing to happen, and sometimes you just enjoy life with your hobbies and friends. Both are great outcomes! : )
This is actually the first newsletter i have read fully ever. And i have subscribed to a lot, being of design, writers and comic artists and other stuff. Not for lack of not being interested but for not having time for it. I know, they always say find the time, but not easy with working at home with the family here. Anyway, i love your products, and honestly havent followed into Adobe but i hope i will, there's so many stuff to do and so little time, to explore and play with brushes! I can't think of anything i'm really good at, at least not better than others but i guess being a graphic designer and a illustrator (mostly vectors) and working for many recognized bands in my country doing their gigposters and record artwork must count for something.
Dear Ricardo,
Thanks for taking the time to write this comment and I am so glad to know this content is interesting to you. I will continue to share as much as I can about what I have learned over the last two decades as a creative professional - all the ups and downs. I hope you continue to get something out of this newsletter. And as for a unique quality, skill, way of thinking … I’m sure you do have one (or several), but sometimes it takes another person in your life to point it out to you! We often take some of our strengths for granted.
Anyway, be well, and have a nice weekend.
- Kyle
I used KyleBrush for A LOT of the digital art I do on Stoker Machine. Stoked to have found you on Substack!
First - thanks for the early support for the brushes! Second - glad you're here! Thank you for reading.