The words and phrases I wish I could mute on Designer LinkedIn
LinkedIn has always had a certain air of superiority, and I was initially okay with it. I preferred the platform's tendency towards buzzword bingo and business jargon over the chaos of other social media platforms. But in 2023, LinkedIn has become a source of frustration, albeit in a different way.
I'm sure you've encountered it too: the endless posts about how 'design will never be the same again' due to AI, despite the author's questionable expertise on the subject. Or the ubiquitous 'I don't usually post on LinkedIn, but this is important' opening, which feels like a desperate attempt to grab attention.
The irony is that designers, who excel at clear communication, are now finding themselves in a world where their own platform often does the opposite. It's like they've taken a simple idea and wrapped it in layers of dramatic framing, making it nearly impossible to get to the core message. And I'm not alone in this frustration.
The internet is buzzing with requests for LinkedIn to allow users to mute specific keywords and phrases. While the platform hasn't yet caved, I remain an optimist, believing they will eventually. In the meantime, I've compiled a list of the phrases that are driving designers mad, so you can avoid them in your posts.
An entirely false sense of urgency
'This changes everything.'
It doesn't. Not even close. A new Figma update or a rebrand is not a civilization-altering event. Only a catastrophic event like an asteroid hitting Earth or a supervolcano wiping out entire countries would truly change everything.'Adapt or die.'
Design has been adapting for decades. It's the essence of the job. No need to reframe it as an ultimatum.'This is a wake-up call.'
Who are these calls intended for, and what are they waking up from? This phrase has become overused and loses its impact due to its frequent appearance.'What nobody is talking about.'
Typically followed by something everyone is discussing.'RIP [insert industry category or professional discipline].'
I've heard this since 1995, and yet, designers are still employed. Things are never as dire as they seem.
Thinking you're the first to write about AI
'AI is not coming. It's already here.'
Yes, we know. We've been using it. Who hasn't heard that computers are here too? The point is lost.'You won't be replaced by AI. You'll be replaced by someone who uses AI.'
This cliche has been overused to the point of becoming the very thing it warns against: indistinguishable, algorithmic, and produced at scale.'If you're not using AI, you're already behind.'
Behind whom? For what race? This statement needs reevaluation.'Now anyone can be a designer.'
No, they can't. They can create something that looks like design, but there's a difference, and you know it.
Rhetorical landfill
'The real question is...'
This can be fine in moderation, but on Designer LinkedIn, it often leads to a dramatic pivot away from the actual question.'Let that sink in.'
This sentence is often unnecessary and can be removed without losing the paragraph's meaning.'The lesson? The takeaway? So what does this mean for you?'
One of these phrases is acceptable, but three in one post is excessive. If you need multiple ways to ask readers to pay attention, your post may be lacking.'Read that again.'
I'm busy, so I won't.'Here's what I learned...'
Is it a genuine learning experience or a confirmation of pre-existing beliefs? It's often the latter.'Hot take:'
Not usually a hot take. Often, it's just lukewarm.'Unpopular opinion:'
Not typically unpopular. CEOs shilling for Fortune 500 companies rarely play the rebel card.'Game-changer.'
The game has been changed so many times that it's hard to remember what the original game was.'Quietly.'
Everything is being done quietly, but is this relevant to the content? The word has lost its meaning.'I'm no longer gatekeeping...'
A boastful humble brag. You never had the power to gatekeep.The single-word paragraph.
These paragraphs are relentless and should be avoided.
Formatting.
That.
Treats.
Every.
Word.
Like.
Its.
Own.
Dramatic.
Reveal.
