Let's face it, the world of design and its online representation on LinkedIn has taken an interesting turn. What was once a haven for buzzword enthusiasts and business jargon is now a breeding ground for a different kind of irritation.
The Rise of Designer LinkedIn Drama
Designer LinkedIn has become a platform where simple observations are transformed into dramatic narratives. It's as if designers, known for their clarity and precision, have suddenly embraced an excessive use of dramatic framing. The result? A scroll-inducing, eye-rolling experience for many.
A Checklist for Sanity
In response to this growing frustration, there's a movement online, a plea to mute certain keywords and phrases. While LinkedIn hasn't caved in yet, this checklist of phrases is a designer's guide to sanity:
An Overdose of Drama
- "This changes everything." - Really? An updated Figma feature or a rebrand doesn't equate to a civilization-altering event.
- "Adapt or die." - Design has always evolved. It's the nature of the industry, not an ultimatum.
- "This is a wake-up call." - For whom and about what? This phrase has become white noise, a desperate cry for attention.
The AI Hype
- "AI is not coming. It's already here." - Yes, we know. Computers have been here for a while too.
- "You'll be replaced by someone who uses AI." - This cliche is as generic as the algorithms it warns about.
- "If you're not using AI, you're already behind." - Behind whom? In what race? It's a confusing and overused statement.
- "Now anyone can be a designer." - Design is more than just creating something that looks good.
Rhetorical Landfill and Exhaustion
- "The real question is..." - Often a diversion from the actual question, leading to clickbait territory.
- "Let that sink in." - If the paragraph makes sense without it, why include it?
- "The lesson?", "The takeaway?", "So what does this mean for you?" - Three such phrases in one post is a recipe for exhaustion.
- "Read that again." - Busy designers don't have time for this.
- "Here's what I learned..." - Is it a genuine learning or a confirmation bias?
- "Hot take:" and "Unpopular opinion:" - Usually not hot or unpopular, especially from certain industry figures.
- "Game-changer." - The game has changed so many times, we've lost track.
- "Quietly." - Everything is being done quietly now. The word has lost its meaning.
- "I'm no longer gatekeeping..." - A humble brag that's anything but humble.
- The single-word paragraph - A dramatic formatting choice that's overused.
A Step Back
If you take a step back, you'll see that Designer LinkedIn has become a platform for exaggeration and dramatic flair. It's a trend that's interesting, but also a bit worrying. It raises questions about the authenticity and substance of the content being shared.
The Way Forward
Personally, I think it's time for a reset. Designers should focus on clear communication and substance over dramatic framing. After all, the design industry has always been about innovation and evolution, not hype and exaggeration.
