(this is a timely continuation of Part I of Dear Young Designer)
→ You don't need to become a grifter to be successful. I know it seems that way today (given the context of 2025), but trust me there is another way that's more meaningful and long lasting for you. Take some pride in your work and focus on the long-term success of your career.
→ You don't have to openly boast about your revenue, client payouts or how little time you spent on selling a $2k landing page to someone on social media. The ones who value true and good design don't hire the loudest but the most capable.
I know money talk is an effective marketing tactic right now, but don't base your entire reputation on something so shallow. Focus on the quality of your work.
→ You don't have to only focus on playing the status game to be successful. Find a good balance in which your influence and status is mostly based on mastery and integrity, not on cheap noise, hot takes or following meaningless trends. I promise you, your influence is lasting a lot longer if its built on something more solid, like the quality of your work or character. And also, you'll sleep better at night (:
→ You don't have to play the pump and dump games even if it might seem to be the norm today. It's okay to sell a dream and join the hype machine to a certain degree (momentum is important), but try to focus on building something useful and real as well.
Make your work something that might potentially outlast you. Isn't that the real dream?
Keep designing!
Yours truly,
Tobias
