Design Professionals Launch Movement to Reclaim Collaborative Spirit on Social Media

August 27, 2025 – A prominent voice within the design community, Namya @ Supafast, has initiated a new movement aimed at revitalizing the "design Twitter" landscape by fostering a return to positive and supportive interactions. In a widely shared tweet, Namya called for a shift away from prevalent negativity, stating, > "Make design Twitter toxic positive again. Remember when we used to: genuinely celebrate good work, share resources without gatekeeping, help beginners instead of mocking them, give feedback that actually helped." The tweet underscored a belief that "the negativity isn’t making anyone better at design, positivity and community support do." Watching now...The call to action highlights a growing concern over detrimental behaviors observed within online professional communities. Issues such as gatekeeping, where experienced professionals create barriers for newcomers, and a tendency to mock beginners rather than provide constructive assistance, have become points of contention. This sentiment is echoed by industry observers, with reports indicating a "snark, smug, self-satisfied attitude" sometimes permeating design and UX discourse, hindering open knowledge exchange. This perceived decline in community spirit impacts both individual growth and the collective advancement of the design field. The practice of withholding resources or delivering unhelpful criticism can stifle innovation and discourage aspiring designers. Experts note that such environments can lead to a reluctance among users to engage openly, fearing negative judgment or association with controversial viewpoints. Beyond specific community dynamics, the broader design of social media platforms can inadvertently contribute to a culture of negativity. Features that promote gamification, such as likes and retweets, can incentivize sensationalism, while algorithmic curation may inadvertently create echo chambers. This systemic context often exacerbates existing tensions, making it challenging to maintain a consistently positive and constructive dialogue. Namya's movement seeks to counteract these trends by advocating for a renewed focus on genuine celebration of achievements, open resource sharing, and empathetic mentorship. The emphasis is on building a supportive ecosystem where constructive feedback and mutual encouragement are prioritized over cynicism and exclusion. The initiative aims to cultivate an environment where community support actively contributes to professional development. The success of this movement could significantly influence the professional trajectory of countless designers, particularly those new to the field. By fostering a more welcoming and collaborative online space, the design community on Twitter has the potential to become a more effective hub for learning, networking, and collective growth, ultimately benefiting the industry as a whole.