It's an inevitable result given the whole "prove your worth" mentality of being in design combined with a lack of progressive/genuine leadership (who, by in large, are the ones telling us all that we need to "prove ourselves" lol)

I get that, plus the approach has been common in other industries. Never loved the brain-rot of 'monetize your entire existence'. haha. Maybe just hopeful it wouldn't bleed too deep into Design. But I also know we're in a tough market and leaving money on the table can be scary.

It's always been around in some form, just not as.. blatant as it is now lol Maybe it's also just the appeal of being an "influencer" that is so big right now

For me, one of my major intentions/values for 2024 is about deepening connections. I'm excited to reconnect with friends, work with them, introduce inspiring individuals to each other, and engage more with new like-minded people.

That being said by no means has this been the majority of my interactions but it has been common enough. I believe in the power of free exchange, so... if you're working on cool things, seeking collaboration, breaking new ground, or just need a sounding board, lets connect! 🤝✨