Design Next Podcast: Priyjah Paramasivam breaks barriers on age, confidence & the power of playfulness

“I used to compare myself to my peers constantly. The moment I stopped, everything started falling into place.”

Age should never be a barrier to creativity. But in the design industry, where youth is often celebrated and life experience sometimes undervalued, how do we ensure everyone has a seat at the table? In this episode of Design Next, we speak to Priyjah Paramasivam, Associate Creative Director at How&How, for her perspective.

From rising through the ranks to leading a team, Priyjah shares her personal journey – from feeling pressure by comparison, to the realisation that career paths aren’t linear.

Creativity and confidence
We discuss the industry’s perception that young designers bring creativity, while older designers exude confidence — and how this assumption can limit growth at all stages of a career.

Imposter syndrome hits us all
Whether you’re a junior or a creative director, those nagging feelings of self-doubt don’t disappear. Priyjah shares how keeping track of positive feedback has helped her tackle it.

Play is essential
Even as responsibility mounts, keeping a sense of playfulness and personal projects alive can maintain your level of passion and creativity. It’s something we know Priyjah is passionate about, as highlighted in her talk at our second Common Interest event.

Knowing when to move on
One of the best ways to keep learning is recognising when you’ve outgrown a role. Seeking new environments and challenges is key to staying engaged.

“If you stop learning, stop feeling challenged, and stop having fun, it’s time to move on.”

This episode speaks to creatives at every career stage. Whether you’re just starting out or leading a team, Priyjah’s perspective will make you rethink how age and experience shape creative careers. Oh, and start collating that folder of positive feedback!