There are no shackles

Airbnb released their design refresh just recently and Design Twitter was celebrating these rich, animated icons they just dropped. Twitter was inspired. Everyone was creating their own icons, using rounded serifs, creating playful designs. It was refreshing.

"Flat is dead! Skeuomorphism is back!"

But... what was stopping you before?

The language used they use—"we were suppressed", "it's now safe to use rounded serifs". It makes it sound like there's some sort of Design Mafia by Big Tech to ordered bust kneecaps for anyone attempting to add a gradient to their design.

Your manager wants flat design? Sure. They're the boss and that's just a job.

Express yourself outside of work.

Was it because it wasn’t trendy? Because it wouldn’t get praise? Who the fuck cares? Wouldn't going against the grain make your designs stand out more?

I honestly don't get it.

Just make the things you want to make. There are no shackles.