Finding authenticity indesignWhen I wrote The Design Game Has Changed, and I Dont Know Where I Fit Anymore, I wasnt trying to make a statementI was just beinghonest.I was (and still am) standing at a crossroads, looking back on two decades in design, only to realize that the industry around me was shifting faster than I couldor even wanted tokeep up. It wasnt just about the craft anymore. It wasnt just about passion or process. It felt more like a gameone that rewarded branding, followers, and self-promotion over realimpact.I didnt expect what happenednext.The response was overwhelming. My inbox was flooded with messages from designers, creators, leaders, and even executives who felt the exact same way. Its like you wrote this for me, many said. People I had never met before reached out, sharing their own stories of disconnection, burnout, and frustration with an industry that once felt likehome.Some of the best discussions Ive had in my career came after publishing that last post. Designers at every levelfrom juniors to seasoned leadersopened up about their struggles, their disillusionment, their search for meaning indesign.It made me realize: were all feeling this shift, and were all figuring it out together.Matt Fangman who reached out via LinkedIn after reading my article so elegantly putit:At some point we have to figure out how/where to compartmentalize our needs, desires and goals. And understand what is truly in our control and what isnt. Designers are an interesting bunch because the vast majority (myself included) choose to rely on an external impetus to be the spark for our creative and intellectual activity. And with this comes financial considerations. That will always put us at risk from things outside of our control affecting our mental and physical wellbeing.Personal design conceptTheillusionThe illusion of one-size-fits-all successTheres been a huge push toward escaping the 9-to-5, building a personal brand, and monetizing creativity. And dont get me wrongthats an amazing path forsome.I felt the urge too. The FOMO to jump in, start creating content, and turn my expertise into something profitable. I tried. I reallydid.I shared design tips. I talked about how to grow in the industry and become a better designer. I followed the playbook of online creators. But something feltoff.Maybe my content wasnt what the algorithm wanted. Maybe it wasnt optimized for engagement. Maybe it wasnt even good. But the bigger realization wasthis:Was I actually helping others level upor just feeding the contentmachine?The pressure to constantly produce, to package insights into bite-sized posts, to chase visibilityit started feeling more like a grind than trueimpact.And thats when it hitme.Personal design conceptThe authentic designerThe turningpointFor a while, I kept telling myself that maybe I just needed to try harderpost more, engage more, and force myself into thegame.But then one day, I caught myself refreshing a posts engagement stats like it actually mattered. And I realized: this isnt what I set out todo.I didnt become a designer to chase vanity metrics. I became a designer because I love solving problems, building systems, and helping peoplegrow.That moment shifted everything forme.Dan Koe says passion isnt something you findits something you develop. You dont wait for it. You commit to something, you show up for it, and through mastery and momentum, it becomes yourpassion.So, after failinguh, I mean learningabout content creation on LinkedIn and X, and after reading Dan Koes book, I had a real moment of reflection.I realized something important:I dont want to create content about grids or fancy button animationseven though I know they get soooo much tractiononline.So whatnow?Honestly, I dont know. But what I do know isthis:I lovewriting.Personal design conceptthe evolvingdesignerFulfillment isnt found on every path and why thatsokay!But lets be honest: its not the only path to fulfillment.Some of the most meaningful and impactful design work happens inside organizationsnot just as a solo creator, but alongside smart, driven people who challenge you to grow in ways you never couldalone.You dont fail at life because you choose to work at anagency.Youre not less ambitious because you decided not to go all in on freelancing.You dont lack vision because youre not trying to be a design influencer.Theres more to life thanwork.What matters most is whether your work aligns with your values, your strengths, and what actually makes you feelalive.Personal design conceptsuperpowerYour personal brand is your superpowerinside andoutHeres the thing: Your personal brand isnt just about how you show uponline.Its about how you show up in yourwork.Your value as a professional isnt about how many followers you haveits about how much value you create. And the more value you create, the more opportunities come yourway.After two decades in the design fielddesigning, building, leading, and scalingIve learned that your reputation, your influence, and your impact go far beyond job titles and portfolios.So, how do you build a personal brand that actuallymatters?Be known for solving real problems. Titles will change, but your impactwont.Communicate with clarity and conviction. If you cant articulate your thinking, your influence will always belimited.Be valuable before youre visible. Stop chasing visibilitybe so valuable that people cant ignoreyou.Master internal influence. Your personal brand isnt just externalits about how you operate within ateam.Teach, mentor, and give back. The fastest way to build credibility? Help othersgrow.Design at scale. Early on, craft is your leverage. Later, your ability to scale design is what defines yourimpact.Your personal brand is your legacywhether you work for yourself or within acompany.You might forget this story at some point, but remember these 3 principles if you strive to build your personal brand to achieve yourgoals:Craft: Define and refine your personal brand so it aligns with your growth, values, and aspirations.Share: Regularly express your insights and experiences in ways that connect with others. Whether through blogging, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, or another platform, choose the format that feels most natural toyou.Nourish: Continuously develop and adapt your personal brand by engaging with others, gaining real-world experience, and allowing it to evolve overtime.Personal design conceptsuperpowerA pledge tomyselfIm here to lead with the heart and create with authenticity.I no longer want to chase validation.Everything in life is energy. The intentions we set, the work we put out, the way we show upit all carries a frequency. And when we align with our truth, when we pour the right energy into what we do, that same energy finds its way back tous.I dont want to post for the sake of visibility.I dont want to showcase every pixel I push on X just to play the algorithm game.Yes, I know thats how many people get opportunities. But I also know Id rather break the rules and create my ownpath.The odder, the better.BillBenslyBill Bensley, a renowned architect, has built a successful career by following his passion for design. Since moving to Singapore in 1984, hes designed over 200 hotels across 30 countries, drawing inspiration from his travels throughout Asia. His approach blends natural landscapes with architecture, creating innovative and immersive spaces. Bensleys willingness to challenge traditional design norms and embrace unconventional creativity shows how authenticity can drive unique, visionary design. His work encourages designers to break free from the ordinary and express their true creativeselves.Lets build something realIm exploring what it means to design, write, and create from a place of real authenticity. Not chasing trends, not forcing strategies that dont feel rightjust doing work that actuallymatters.And from the messages Ive received, I know Im not alone inthis.So lets figure it out together.If this resonates with you, Id love to hear where you stand. The journey ahead may not always be the easiest or most visiblebut I believe its the one most worthtaking.Lets talk.Home - Dan KoeStanding at the crossroads of authenticity and career advancementPersonal branding for UX beginnersHow My Personal Branding Helped Me Stand Out and Achieve My Goal FasterNot Every Path Leads Somewhere and Thats OkayBill Bensley designed Thailand's real-life 'White Lotus' hotel and doubts he could have pulled it off in the USFinding authenticity in design and career was originally published in UX Collective on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.