Music is something no one fully understands, yet everyone feels.
Art is much the same — often intangible, but deeply personal. As someone who entered the world of design driven by emotion and admiration, I’ve come to realize that the true essence of creativity is being overshadowed in our current era.
I didn’t become a designer because I was taught how. I became one because I was inspired. I used to watch others create — art, graphics, branding, and everything in between. I was captivated not just by their output, but by the stories behind their work. What made them choose that shape? That color? That idea?
Back then, what we admired in college weren’t just designers — we admired the passion, the process, the meaning. These creators rarely spoke about themselves. They talked about their work. The why. The how. And that, to me, was extraordinary.
But fast forward to today, and things feel… different.
When I scroll through social media now, most of what I see isn’t design. It’s influence. Creators aren’t showcasing their craft — they’re showcasing their lifestyle. Their income. Their “freedom.” You come across videos that focus on financial wins, personal milestones, or overnight success — yet rarely show the actual work that led there.
Where did the design go?
Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not against making money as a creative. We all want to live well and be recognized for our work. The “starving artist” stereotype should absolutely be left behind. But what’s troubling is this shift in focus — from craft to personal branding. From art to algorithms. We’re creating a generation of designers obsessed with visibility, not with vision.
Some say, “Design is not art.”
Design is art. It’s the art of solving problems, of storytelling, of finding clarity in chaos. Creating something that didn’t exist before, something that improves lives or sparks emotion — that’s art in its truest form.
But in this era of 15-second reels and short-form content, we’re not being inspired to create. We’re being conditioned to chase.
The tools are evolving — AI, automation, new tech. But if we forget the heart of why we design, then what are we even building? A world of perfectly optimized, soulless experiences?
We need to reclaim creativity.
We need mentors who don’t just share income screenshots, but the struggles and breakthroughs behind the work. We need to value stories that highlight process, not just profit. And we need to remember that design, at its best, doesn’t just impress — it impacts.
So, to the next generation of designers:
Don’t just follow the noise. Follow the art.
Be inspired not by the lifestyle, but by the life in the work.
Create with purpose, not just for performance.
Because the world doesn’t need more influencers.
It needs more artists willing to influence through their craft.