In this post, Tobias van Schneider reflects on the shift in the design industry from a time when designers had distinct personal styles and portfolios full of personality, to the current trend of standardization and global design systems that often lead to portfolios looking indistinguishable from one another.

Key Points:

• In the past, designers had strong personal voices and styles evident in their work.

• Portfolios were aesthetically distinct, reflecting the designer's unique personality and opinion.

• The culture at the time encouraged differentiation and avoiding trends.

• Global design systems and standardization have led to portfolios looking increasingly similar.

• Adhering to trends may come at the cost of personal identity and creativity.