Dyslexia: My Creative Superpower

Welcome to the first post in our series on how dyslexia, in my eyes, is a creative superpower! I never liked the word “disability,” as when you break it down, the element “dis” is a negative term. We should be supporting and praising our abilities, which is why I call it a superpower.

I am aware that there are many other forms of neurodiversity that can be superpowers, but I am going to focus on my dyslexia.

As a designer who has lived with dyslexia, I’ve discovered that this unique way of thinking has significantly enhanced my creative skills, which I will discuss in the next series of blog posts. Dyslexia challenges us to think outside the box, which is an invaluable asset in the design world.

Many famous designers and artists, like Leonardo da Vinci and Walt Disney, were believed to have dyslexia. Richard Branson, who has been open about his dyslexia, has provided support to charity and explained how he used his superpower to help develop his entrepreneurial portfolio. For further reading on this click the link

This condition often allows for a different perspective on problem-solving and creativity. For instance, dyslexic individuals tend to excel in visual thinking and spatial reasoning. This means that as a designer, you might have an innate ability to see patterns and connections that others might miss, leading to innovative and groundbreaking ideas. My superpower has helped me look at a design brief left or right. Create tangent ideas that have provided a fresh approach instead of looking head on a brief.

Living with dyslexia has also taught me resilience and adaptability. These qualities are crucial in the design industry, where projects often evolve and change direction. Embracing my dyslexia has helped me develop unique design ideas that stand out in the industry. I’ve learned to leverage my strengths, such as my visual-spatial abilities, and to seek out tools such as Grammarly and Chat GPT have helped to provide the strategies that support my unique way of thinking.

For more information and support, check out the British Dyslexia Association’s resources here.