--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If you take on production work, you don’t…" description: "\"“If you take on production work, you don’t get to call yourself a designer.”\" — Mike Monteiro" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ae/mike-monteiro-73649_designer_if-you-take-on-production-work-you-don-t_2366873.jpg" --- # If you take on production work, you don’t get to call… ![“If you take on production work, you don’t get to call yourself a designer.” quote by Mike Monteiro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ae/mike-monteiro-73649_designer_if-you-take-on-production-work-you-don-t_2366873.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ae/mike-monteiro-73649_designer_if-you-take-on-production-work-you-don-t_2366873.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ae/mike-monteiro-73649_designer_if-you-take-on-production-work-you-don-t_2366873.jpg) > ““If you take on production work, you don’t get to call yourself a designer.”” [Mike Monteiro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-monteiro/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Taking on production tasks disqualifies you from the designer label, highlighting a divide between design thinking and execution. **In simple terms:** Doing production work means you’re not a designer. Key Takeaway Recognize the value of both design and production. Themes design identity production work professional roles Mood critical reflective Type advice professional. When to use this quote - freelance projects - agency work - team collaboration - career development Key Concepts Design thinking craftsmanship role definition Questions to Reflect On - Do you separate design from production? - How does this view affect your career path? A Different Perspective Some argue that production skills enhance design credibility. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Designer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/designer/) [Don Designer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/don-designer-3663943/) [Fashion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fashion/) [Production Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/production-work-1299752/) [Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work/) [Work Don](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work-don/) ## Related quotes > [I don't own anything designer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grimes/i-don-t-own-anything-designer/) [Grimes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grimes/) > [I can see myself doing production work and handling projects behind the scenes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moises-arias/i-can-see-myself-doing-production-work-and-handling-projects-behind/) [Moises Arias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moises-arias/) > [I started out doing production work on promos, stuff like that. I didn't think it was cool to be working for NPR. I didn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ira-glass/i-started-out-doing-production-work-on-promos-stuff-like-that-i-didn/) [Ira Glass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ira-glass/) > [As an actor for hire, my job is to do some pre-production work for myself. Then my job is to show up and give…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-mcconaughey/as-an-actor-for-hire-my-job-is-to-do-some-pre-production-work-for/) [Matthew McConaughey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-mcconaughey/) > [At 'Vogue,' I was responsible for a lot of production work, and production work is highly detailed, and you have to be very resourceful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-weiss/at-vogue-i-was-responsible-for-a-lot-of-production-work-and/) [Emily Weiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-weiss/) > [What makes the production of my work so expensive? The whole installation thing - the construction, the objects, the technology. It really adds up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-kruger/what-makes-the-production-of-my-work-so-expensive-the-whole/) [Barbara Kruger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-kruger/) > [When the show's in production, we work for three weeks at a time and then take a week off.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/drew-carey/when-the-show-s-in-production-we-work-for-three-weeks-at-a-time-and/) [Drew Carey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/drew-carey/) > [Here in Bengal the production has to work under more pressing schedules partly caused by monetary reasons as the shooting has to be wrapped…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saswata-chatterjee/here-in-bengal-the-production-has-to-work-under-more-pressing/) [Saswata Chatterjee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saswata-chatterjee/) > [It's about the production of the work. I need my workers to stay focused.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-koons/it-s-about-the-production-of-the-work-i-need-my-workers-to-stay/) [Jeff Koons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-koons/) > [I have become a full-fledged producer. I spend a lot of time on pre-production work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ram-gopal-varma/i-have-become-a-full-fledged-producer-i-spend-a-lot-of-time-on-pre/) [Ram Gopal Varma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ram-gopal-varma/) > [If you want something you have to work for it. If you don't get it, work harder.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-want-something-you-have-to-work-for-it-if-you-don-t-get-it/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If you don't work, you don't eat. If you don't grind, you don't shine!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-don-t-work-you-don-t-eat-if-you-don-t-grind-you-don-t-shine/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When your internet won't work& you don't know what to do with yourself all day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-your-internet-won-t-work-you-don-t-know-what-to-do-with-yourself/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Work out of your work. Don't work out of anybody else's work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-serra/work-out-of-your-work-don-t-work-out-of-anybody-else-s-work/) [Richard Serra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-serra/) > [When you work for me, you don't say good things about Ali.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-frazier/when-you-work-for-me-you-don-t-say-good-things-about-ali/) [Joe Frazier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-frazier/) ## More by Mike Monteiro > [“Let’s order too much of something just to see where our limits are. Let’s take a chance precisely because it might fail. Let’s take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-monteiro/let-s-order-too-much-of-something-just-to-see-where-our-limits-are/) [Mike Monteiro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-monteiro/) > [“Make sure you’re consciously building the story you want to be telling. And make sure your story is compelling enough that your next client…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-monteiro/make-sure-you-re-consciously-building-the-story-you-want-to-be/) [Mike Monteiro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-monteiro/) > [“Confidence doesn’t come from knowing you’re right—it comes from being okay with failing.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-monteiro/confidence-doesn-t-come-from-knowing-you-re-right-it-comes-from-being/) [Mike Monteiro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-monteiro/) [Explore all 4 Mike Monteiro quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-monteiro/) ## More Designer quotes > [I am very sad that some designers are still using real fur when the fake alternatives are so effective and so easily obtainable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/twiggy/i-am-very-sad-that-some-designers-are-still-using-real-fur-when-the/) [Twiggy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/twiggy/) > [I don't own designer clothes, or a sports car, or a huge house, but I am seeing the world, experiencing amazing things, and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roz-savage/i-don-t-own-designer-clothes-or-a-sports-car-or-a-huge-house-but-i-am/) [Roz Savage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roz-savage/) > [It's amazing to see things that are suggested in the book fully developed and so brilliantly realized through the artistry of the designers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/it-s-amazing-to-see-things-that-are-suggested-in-the-book-fully/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [Designers shouldn’t design for museums any more than mummies should die for them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-caplan/designers-shouldn-t-design-for-museums-any-more-than-mummies-should/) [Ralph Caplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-caplan/) > [When other boys dreamt of going to the moon or becoming doctors, I wanted to be a designer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olivier-theyskens/when-other-boys-dreamt-of-going-to-the-moon-or-becoming-doctors-i/) [Olivier Theyskens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olivier-theyskens/) > [I talk to fashion designers and say I want some money to save the rainforest, and they say, 'Oh, I agree with you completely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vivienne-westwood/i-talk-to-fashion-designers-and-say-i-want-some-money-to-save-the/) [Vivienne Westwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vivienne-westwood/) > [Under Thatcher, who ruled us with an iron rod, great art was made. Amazing designers and musicians. Acid house was born. Very colourful and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noel-gallagher/under-thatcher-who-ruled-us-with-an-iron-rod-great-art-was-made/) [Noel Gallagher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noel-gallagher/) > [Users are not designers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jakob-nielsen/users-are-not-designers/) [Jakob Nielsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jakob-nielsen/) > [MAC allowed me to have complete freedom on the collaborations—from the shades, the look-and-feel, to the campaign visuals. I have to admit that the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-treacy/mac-allowed-me-to-have-complete-freedom-on-the-collaborations-from/) [Philip Treacy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-treacy/) > [As a designer, I believe in the power of fashion. It has the ability to not only change how you look but also how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tina-knowles/as-a-designer-i-believe-in-the-power-of-fashion-it-has-the-ability-to/) [Tina Knowles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tina-knowles/) > [I love Christopher Bailey and Burberry, Mulberry for bags, and Hudson for jeans. I like a little bit of designer with a bit of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cara-delevingne/i-love-christopher-bailey-and-burberry-mulberry-for-bags-and-hudson/) [Cara Delevingne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cara-delevingne/) > [I don't think generally speaking, there are a lot of innovators and inventors. Many of the designers take what exists already and update it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-hilfiger/i-don-t-think-generally-speaking-there-are-a-lot-of-innovators-and/) [Tommy Hilfiger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-hilfiger/) > [As a designer, everything is always about aesthetics mixed in with functionality and having that visual appeal. But you learn fast as a new…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nate-berkus/as-a-designer-everything-is-always-about-aesthetics-mixed-in-with/) [Nate Berkus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nate-berkus/) > [The creatives, they want to connect with people. These artists, the clothing designers, they want to connect with people the same way that music…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kanye-west/the-creatives-they-want-to-connect-with-people-these-artists-the/) [Kanye West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kanye-west/) > [If you want to live a meaningfully better life, you're going to have to make the dangerous choice to dissent. A life lived meaningfully…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/umair-haque/if-you-want-to-live-a-meaningfully-better-life-you-re-going-to-have/) [Umair Haque](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/umair-haque/) [Browse all 1,412 Designer quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/designer/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“If you take on production work, you don’t get to call yourself a designer.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Mike Monteiro" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-monteiro/if-you-take-on-production-work-you-don-t-get-to-call-yourself-a/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Designer" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-monteiro/if-you-take-on-production-work-you-don-t-get-to-call-yourself-a/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ae/mike-monteiro-73649_designer_if-you-take-on-production-work-you-don-t_2366873.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ae/mike-monteiro-73649_designer_if-you-take-on-production-work-you-don-t_2366873.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ae/mike-monteiro-73649_designer_if-you-take-on-production-work-you-don-t_2366873.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“If you take on production work, you don’t get to call yourself a designer.” — Mike Monteiro", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Mike Monteiro", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-monteiro/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“If you take on production work,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-monteiro/if-you-take-on-production-work-you-don-t-get-to-call-yourself-a/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-monteiro/if-you-take-on-production-work-you-don-t-get-to-call-yourself-a/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```